“As you can see, my wife has many talents… one of them is taking charge,” Lucas said, laughing. “I’ve found that it’s best to do what she says.”
~*~
“Good evening, Garrett,” William said.
“Right this way, Your Graces, my lord,” Garrett said.
As they entered the dining room, Lacey lifted her head, made a guttural sound, and walked out of the room.
“Welcome, Lord Dudley, Your Graces. We’re so glad to have you join us. We should be sitting for dinner shortly,” Grandmère said. “Bella should be down soon.” She paused and looked past them. “Where’s Michael?”
“He could barely lift his head from all the pony riding he and Lacey did this afternoon. Mrs. Randal fed him and put him to bed—with no argument,” William said, laughing. “I don’t think I’ve seen him so tired. Not even after the treasure hunt.”
“Ah, welcome, everyone,” Stephen said, entering the dining room with the widow on his arm. “You all remember Lady Elizabeth Rivers.”
“It’s good to see you here tonight, Countess,” the duchess said. “I understand many of the children you were caring for have been reunited with their parents.”
“I have some exciting news on that front—news I just heard before I left,” Lady Rivers said. “Two of the children wereso upset, it’s taken time to get them to talk. They finally started talking a few hours ago and, shortly before I left, mentioned a village about fifty miles from here.”
“That’s excellent news. His Grace and I would like to speak with them if you feel they are up to it,” William said. “We are all hoping to return them to their families as soon as we can.”
“I think they may be ready. They seem much more relaxed. I am thankful we avoided a tragedy,” the countess said.
William noticed a smile pass between Lady Rivers and Stephen. He was happy for them and hoped the relationship continued to bloom. “Ah, Bella, there you are.” Just seeing her smiling face lifted his mood. He had begun to worry about where she was.
“I apologize for being late. I misplaced a pearl earring but finally found it beneath my vanity. Have I missed anything?” Bella asked.
“Only that we may have a lead on where the last two children live, but we will explore that in the morning,” William said, offering his arm. “You look lovely,” he whispered.
“If everyone is ready, I think we can take our seats,” Stephen said, Elizabeth on his arm.
As soon as they were seated, Garrett gave a quick knock and entered the room, carrying a salver. “Your Grace, a message has arrived from London addressed to both you and Lord Dudley. I thought it could be urgent, so I brought it right away.”
“Thank you, Garrett,” the Duke of Dorman said, accepting the missive. He read it quickly and passed it to William, who read it and nodded back at the duke.
“If that will be all?” the butler said.
Lacey glanced up from her place in the corner where she had been lying, unmoving throughout the before-dinner cocktails. Her expression was one of irritation, and she lifted her lip to show her teeth, though she made no sound.
Garrett arched a brow and shot the dog an irritated look before turning to leave.
“There! That’s exactly what I’ve observed repeatedly,” William said, tucking the message into the pocket of his waistcoat and leaning back in his seat. “Before we turn our attention away from our topic of discussion, this… behavior between the butler and the dog…” he began. “It’s worsening. If he yelled at her, as Bella says, for sneaking treats to Winterborne—which I find adorable—how can the rift be mended? Every interaction I’ve noticed seems to be getting worse. A week ago, they seemed the best of friends. Now… this.” He gestured casually toward the dog in the corner, whose only response was to grunt and close her eyes. “She seems content with it.”
“Garrett was quite harsh in his admonishment. I believe he should apologize, and I’ve told him so,” replied Grandmère, eyes twinkling with undisguised mirth. She picked up her glass and took a sip of wine.
“I wasn’t present for it, but I gathered from Mrs. Bisque that Garrett had set aside the apples for himself, and Lacey helped herself to them without notice or permission,” Grandmama said, biting her lip to suppress a laugh.
The duchess barely suppressed a titter until Bella joined in, and then the two ladies erupted into fits of giggles.
William bit his cheek in an effort not to join them. “I suggest we hand this issue over to Michael, as he appears to understand both animal sensibilities and human perspectives.”
“I second that suggestion…not because I think you a bumbler, but because you have described your younger brother’s talents perfectly,” the duke said, laughter shining in his eyes, as he raised his glass of wine.
“Hear, hear,” the group chimed in between laughter and giggles.
~*~
After dinner, Stephen stood and gained everyone’s attention. “Thank you all for agreeing to join us tonight. I would like to thank the viscount and his dear friends, the Duke and Duchess of Dorman, who have helped us immensely.”
