Alethea dipped into a respectful curtsy of her own, just as she had practiced.
"Thank you. You are very kind."
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Oliver inclining his head in greeting, but he kept a protective hold on her arm.
The dowager duchess chuckled, reaching to pat Alethea's hand.
"It is merely the truth. We have all been most curious about you, you know. It is not every day a long-lost Carter sister reappears and becomes a duchess overnight." Though the lady's tone was light, Alethea felt a prickle of discomfort. She opened her mouth, uncertain how to respond.
Oliver smoothly intervened with a charming smile.
"Her Grace has adjusted admirably in a short time. I confess I am immensely proud of her."
The older woman seemed satisfied and murmured a few pleasantries before moving along. Alethea looked up at Oliver gratefully. He had a way of fielding intrusive comments in a manner that she was still unable to.
"I suspect we will be hearing a lot of that tonight," she murmured to him. She could not blame the people either Her story was rather extraordinary, so naturally there would be great interest in it.
"Well, then I suppose it is lucky for you that I am here," Oliver replied in his usual calm tone.
For the next quarter of an hour, they made a slow circuit of the room, greeting prominent guests and receiving introductions. Many were curious to meet Alethea, and though her stomach fluttered each time someone new approached, she met them with as much grace as she could afford.
Alethea soon realized a pattern: the older ladies of society were direct, more likely to be probing in their questions about her upbringing, while the gentlemen were invariably polite and brief, limiting themselves to compliments on the lovely ball. She answered where necessary but mostly let Oliver take the lead in conversation.
It struck her how different this gathering was from anything she'd known. But perhaps the best realization of them all was that she was not entirely uncomfortable. Everyone saw her as a duchess, and that in itself seemed to carry weight.
"I believe it's time you met a few dear friends of mine," Oliver informed her, leading her out to a cluster of people, "They have been besides themselves for the chance to be able to meet you."
Alethea followed his gaze to the group awaiting them: a trio of couples, it seemed, and one single gentleman. They looked to be around Oliver's age. One of the men stepped forward first.
"Alexander," Oliver greeted him with a grin. "You made it. I feared you would still be hiding in the country."
"As if I would miss meeting the woman who finally tamed the Duke of Redhaven," Alexander quipped with a laugh. Heperformed a courteous bow to Alethea. "Pleasure to meet you, Duchess and let me introduce my wife Penelope to you."
"It is an absolute delight to meet you, Duchess," she said sincerely. "We have been looking forward to this ever since we heard of the wedding, and Oliver has mentioned you to us since."
Alethea returned the curtsy, smiling.
"All good things, I hope." She hoped her tone conveyed a bit of lightness. In truth, she wondered what exactly Oliver's friends might have heard, surely not the entire scandal of her abduction and hasty marriage? The tale publicly told was that Oliver had fallen in love with her and quietly wed in the country.
"Only the best," Alexander assured with a friendly wink. "Oliver's letters have been positively glowing."
Oliver cleared his throat, a hint of color tinging his cheeks.
"You exaggerate shamelessly," he muttered. "Don't listen to a word he says, Alethea. Alexander revels in the garnishing of truth."
The group chuckled, and Alethea's tension eased. She could tell at once that Alexander was the jovial sort of friend who enjoyed teasing.
"Well," she said demurely, playing along, "if my husband has been fawning over me in his private correspondences, I fear he's kept it a secret even from me."
Penelope laughed lightly.
"Oh, I do like her," she declared to Oliver. "She is quick, Your Grace. A perfect match for you."
Before Oliver could respond, another couple stepped forward to claim Alethea's attention. Oliver introduced them as Evan and Isadora.
Isadora dropped a curtsy.
"Your Grace. We are honored to meet you. I must say, your ball is positively splendid."
