He turned to Arthur. “We should go. We have further business to discuss in my study.”
Morgan turned around and stalked out of the music room, while a snickering Arthur sketched an elaborate bow for the ladies, before following behind the heels of his best friend.
CHAPTER10
It was a cool night, and Selina accompanied the Dowager Duchess to tea after dinner.
She was pouring the older woman a new cup when she suddenly brought up a new topic.
“Say, a letter came to me today from one of my old friends, Alice.”
“Oh?” Selina put the cup within the dowager’s reach leisurely and moved away.
Another week had passed since she started living at the Wynten Estate. Time truly seemed to fly by, and she feared she was getting too used to living on the estate. She had easily fallen into a routine that ate the hours of each day without her notice.
Teaching Barbara during the day and spending her evenings having tea and chatting with the dowager. In her free time, she wandered the estate, and that was usually when she bumped into the Duke briefly.
They would discuss Barbara’s studies or have a few jabs of banter here and there. Once again, she had relaxed into her new situation.
She knew more than anyone how dangerous it was for her to get complacent. Still, the dowager’s family was so welcoming, it was easy for her to get used to them.
Despite how afraid she was of her old life catching up to her, the more time she spent with Barbara and the Dowager Duchess, the more comfortable she got.
She walked over to the armchair. “What did the letter say?”
“She has a garden party in a few days, and she requested my presence, if I could spare the time.” The older woman snorted in a most unladylike manner, crossing her legs on the settee. “As if I would pass on an opportunity to dress up and dance till my old bones snap.”
Selina chuckled softly and shook her head in the dimness of the warm room, lit by candles and the soft fire coming from the hearth. “Your Grace. I sometimes feel as though you are a girl, closer to my age.”
“Rightfully so,” she agreed, turning mischievous eyes towards Selina that glittered. “You’re only as old as you feel, you know? And I feel like going to that party.”
She narrowed her eyes at Selina, sticking out a wrinkled finger. “You’re coming with me.”
Selina groaned inwardly and settled into the thick armchair. “Of course, Your Grace. Although, I’m afraid that you may last far longer than I would. Besides, would there be dancing at a garden party?”
The Dowager Duchess rolled her eyes dramatically. “Of course. Knowing Alice, she’s probably dancing right now.”
Selina smiled, but said nothing in reply. She was used to the older woman’s whims, and her spontaneousness was one of the things she loved the most about her.
“Meanwhile,” the Dowager Duchess continued. “We would be going into town bright and early tomorrow.” She glanced at Selina briefly. “I imagine that most of your clothes must be out of date already, and you’d need something new for the party.”
Selina turned to Grace, eyes wide with shock. “But, Your Grace! I just got a new set of clothes made before we left the Brigpool Estate. I’m yet to wear many of the very exquisite dresses you bought for me on our last shopping trip.”
Back in Brigpool, the Dowager Duchess had taken Selina to town often as she liked for all manner of shopping. She never needed a reason to shower her with luxury, always with a smile on her face.
Grace waved her hand dismissively. “Still, fashion doesn’t wait for you, my dear. Come, wouldn’t you like to see what the young ladies of Wynten are wearing? We don’t want to go to the garden party looking like we have been living under a rock, now, do we?”
Selina groaned a little louder. “But… but, Your Grace… I… we…” She stammered out her protest, looking for a convincing argument to avoid the trip into town.
“You know, I’m teaching Barbara some new chords tomorrow,” Selina said, trying again. “She seems pretty excited and I wouldn’t want to disappoint her.”
“Bah,” Grace said, waving her hand dismissively again. “My granddaughter has more than enough time to learn as much as she wants on the pianoforte.” She squinted at Selina. “Are you really going to let an old woman down? Mmm?”
Selina sighed deeply, sinking into her seat. “No, Your Grace.”
The woman clapped and her eyes shone in pure joy. “Then it’s settled! I already sent word to the stables to have a fine carriage prepared for us and ready in the morning. Trust me, my dear. We are going to have a wonderful day together.”
The next day, Selina was out bright and early, ready to go. The dowager had a way of getting what she wanted. Always. Selina shut her door behind her and walked down the hallway to the staircase.
