Edmund rubbed his hands together in front of his chest. “You see, Your Grace, our niece by marriage has not been well. The—ah—events surrounding my nephew’s death were quite tragic and disturbing to Lady Darkford.”
“Well,” said the Duchess, “I should think any man’s murder should be tragic and disturbing for their wife. How is this an issue?”
A discreet knock at the door prevented Edmund from answering. It was the maid with the tea trolley and cakes.
“I haven’t ordered any tea yet,” Vanessa blurted out, obviously affronted.
“I did,” said Cassandra. “As soon as the Duchess arrived, I invited you to join us and requested refreshments.”
“Oh! Oh, yes… well, that does make sense,” Vanessa said, frowning slightly.
Cassandra motioned to the maid to wheel the tea cart to her. “Tea, Your Grace? I can tell by the aroma this is one of my late husband’s favorite teas. There is a hint of smokiness to it. He invested in the tea trade. He was one of those interested to see if they could grow tea in India since China can be difficult to trade with.”
“That is fascinating. I believe I should like to try this tea without anything in it to get a true idea of its taste.”
“A good idea; that is the best way to judge a tea. I will say you may want a drop or two of cream,” Cassandra said as she handed the Duchess a teacup.
“I had no idea, Cassandra, that you were that knowing when it came Richard’s interest in tea,” Edmund said, slight confusion in his eyes.
Cassandra smiled as she prepared a cup of tea for Vanessa with plenty of cream and sugar, as she knew she preferred. “Richard often had me sample different teas and asked for my description. He liked the words I chose to describe their flavors,” she said placidly. There was a great deal neither he nor Vanessa knew about her for the simple reason they did not engage her in conversation.
“This is a rich, full-bodied tea,” the Duchess said. “And I can see what you mean about the smokiness. I think I will take a small splash of cream to even that out.”
Cassandra nodded as she picked up the cream pot and added a dash to the Duchess’s cup before preparing the teacups for Edmund, Mrs. Morrison, and herself.
“I find it a bit harsh,” Vanessa said. “Not to my taste at all unless I add sugar and cream. I don’t think it would be a popular tea.”
“I don’t know that I would agree with that,” said the Duchess. She held the cup to her nose as she smelled the steam rising. “I know plenty of my peers who would appreciate this tea’s finer qualities.”
“Oh, well, I suppose—maybe…” Vanessa said hurriedly.
Cassandra knew she was embarrassed to be contradicted by the Duchess.
“But to return to our conversation before the tea appeared, how is Lady Darkford’s reaction to her husband’s death deemed unhealthy? She has forsaken deep mourning, as she should—though frankly I think she could return to colors—and she told me at dinner the other night that she takes her son to the park every day. She is not confined to her room. Perhaps the house is kept too dark, as I noticed when I stood out front that all the drapes remain closed.”
“Hmmm, well, perhaps—” Edmund faltered.
Cassandra took pity on him. “I was quite despondent following his death. I believe they haven’t noticed the change.”
Edmund brightened. “Yes, that is it precisely. My apologies, my dear niece, Cassandra. We’ve been quite blind.”
“So now seeing I am better, you will give me pin money and allow me the freedom to spend it as I see appropriate?” Cassandra asked.
“They have withheld funds?” the Duchess asked. She turned toward Edmund. “Mr. Tidemark, was this advice given to you by your solicitor or spelled out in your nephew’s will?”
Edmund glared at Cassandra. She stared back at him. As she had decided the day before, she would no longer allow them to rule her for their own personal and social aggrandizement.
The Duchess kept her expression one of simple curiosity.
“It was while she was so ill we thought that the best course, but of course now that we clearly see how recovered she is…” he trailed off.
Cassandra noticed he did not give any commitment. She looked at the Duchess who had raised an eyebrow at his weaseling answer.
“Well,” the Duchess said, “one of my purposes today is to invite you to dinner tomorrow night.”
Vanessa sat straighter. “At Malmsby House?” she asked brightly, clasping her hands together.
“Of course, at Malmsby House,” the Duchess confirmed.
