It was very characteristic of Temperance to broach such a topic.
"What? We all want to know!" Temperance said, unabashed. "One of us has finally experienced it."
"I will not discuss that," Alethea managed to splutter, giggling now.
"We're embarrassing her," Charity added.
But before the conversation could continue on, they were interrupted by the butler.
"Your Grace," the butler addressed Alethea, "His Grace has come to inquire if he might join you and your guests."
Alethea's heart gave a little jump. Oliver was here? She hadn't realized the time; he'd mentioned at breakfast he would be occupied with estate ledgers in his study this morning. He must have kept track of the time to know when her friends would arrive.
"Of course," she said, rising at once.
The next moment, the duke walked into the room.
"Ladies," he greeted with a warm smile. "Good morning. Forgive the intrusion, but I could not let Alethea's dear friends depart without offering my personal welcome to our home."
As he stepped fully inside, Alethea noticed Temperance and Charity exchange glances. She bit down on her lip.
"Your Grace, allow me to introduce everyone." Alethea gestured gracefully to the group, who were all now standing. "This is Miss Temperance."
"A great pleasure to meet you, Your Grace. We've heard much about you," she replied, smiling ear to ear.
"The pleasure is mine, Miss."
Alethea continued, turning to Prudence. "Miss Prudence."
"Your Grace, thank you for having us here. It is most kind," she noted.
Alethea continued on with making the remainder of the introductions.
"Please, all of you, be at ease." the duke glanced around after introductions were done. "I won't impose long; I merely wished to thank you for being such good friends to my wife."
"We were just catching up on each other's lives," Alethea blushed.
"If I may ask," Oliver continued, "how are you ladies finding society outside of the nunnery? I imagine the transition has been significant."
"Significant is a word for it," Charity said. "But we are getting along, trying to keep up with society's nauseating ways."
Alethea shot Charity a gentle warning glance, but Oliver didn't seem taken aback at all. Instead, he chuckled.
"I can understand that," he said.
"There is much to learn and grow accustomed to. Dancing, for one," Prudence spoke next.
The conversation spilled into trivial details of their new lives. Alethea felt a surge of pride in how her friends were holding their own in this conversation. And how well Oliver seemed to be speaking to them.
"I nearly forgot in all the excitement," Temperance announced. "They caught the revenant. His trial is set for next week."
Alethea inhaled sharply, her fingers tightening. A tension settled in the air suddenly, and she could feel Oliver watching her closely.
"Truly?" she whispered, scarcely believing the word.
"The rumors are swirling that he is to be prosecuted," she continued.
"It is what he deserves," Oliver cut in, his voice now cold. Alethea noticed that the sudden shift alarmed her friends. "I shall see to it the punishment gets delivered."
