Cassandra clamped down against an incipient smile.
“After the summer,” Edmund said loftily.
“Do you have country plans this summer for our little Marquess?” the Duchess asked.
“No, we are staying in the city,” Edmund said in quite a heavy manner.
“Oh, children need to spend time outside! I shall see what I can do to assist in that endeavor.”
“Your Grace, I hardly think—”
“So tell me, how did you like your ice yesterday?” the Duchess asked Alex, ignoring Edmund.
He shook his head. “I didn’t get an ice yesterday. I got one this morning.”
“This morning!” the Duchess exclaimed, looking about the room.
Cassandra saw Vanessa blush, her face crumbling.
“There was an unfortunate occurrence yesterday,” Edmund hastily explained. “There was a communication mix-up as to whom the ice was for. By the time I learned of the issue, the ice was gone. I ordered a replacement for Alex this morning,” he explained brusquely.
The Duchess blinked as she took in his explanation, her eyes sliding to Vanessa’s discomfort, then back to Edmund. “Morning is an odd time to have an ice, but I am pleased to hear he got it.” She looked down at Alex. “Did you enjoy it?”
“It was smashing!” he enthused.
“Alex, I think it is time you returned to the nursery,” Cassandra said kindly.
“Yes, Mama.” He slid off the Duchess’s lap and turned to bow to her.
She laughed and pulled him toward her to kiss his cheek, then let him go. “I’ll see you again soon,” she said with a wink.
Alex scampered to the door.
“And we should go as well. Mrs. Morrison?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Her companion rose and joined her.
Everyone rose as the Duchess did. “I look forward again to seeing you all tomorrow night at Malmsby House.”
* * *
When she returnedfrom her visit with Lady Darkford and the Tidemarks, the Duchess insisted her grandson leave his writing and her granddaughter leave her violin practice to join her for a cold collation in the dining room.
“Gwinnie, that little boy is enchanting!” the Duchess said as Gwinnie entered the room.
“He is a darling,” Gwinnie agreed.
“You know I should so love a great-grandchild to pamper,” the Duchess said casually.
“Tell that to Ann and Helena as they are soon to be married.—And what about a grandchild from Uncle Aidan? He has some catching up to do, I’d say, and he and Bella are on a prolonged honeymoon. Don’t give me that sad, wistful expression. It’s too late for me. Pester Lakehurst if you must pester anyone.”
“Nonsense, it is not too late for you. You, my granddaughter, could have been married years ago. You are entirely too caught up in your hobbies. Sarah Knolls, indeed. I was not pleased to learn that your father was already familiar with that aspect of your life and I was not.” The Duchess pouted.
Gwinnie shrugged, refusing to defend herself to her grandmother. She knew her grandmother wished she could affect some control over her life. She was wise to her grandmother’s machinations.Hmmm. Over the years, she’d learned a lot from her grandmother. Now might be the time to put what she had learned into action.
Lakehurst walked into the room and took a seat at the table.
Gwinnie shook out her serviette and placed it in her lap. “Actually,” she said as casually as if she were discussing the weather, “I am considering adopting an orphan, as Mr. Martin and the Earl of Soothcoor have done.”
