“I am happy you attended our ball,” Abigail said sincerely.
“Abigail, this is heavenly. I knew you were an artist, but this is way beyond any dream.”
“Thank you, Primrose. I will show you around.”
Leo watched not the exchange before him but everyone else around them. He was after all the one who had discussed with Edwin how his and Abigail’s open support would force the conspirator out of his lair to double down on the attack. Still, wasn’t Abigail overdoing it? Prim was not here to stay. Baits rarely are. Edwin must have read the look on his face and pulled closer/
“Miss Jenkins makes Abigail happy,” Edwin hissed. “You know what that means,” Edwin said solemnly.
“That whoever is after Miss Jenkins, just made a very powerful enemy.”
“Exactly.”
“Do you suppose we are expected to dance?” Leo huffed at Prim.
“I have more important things to do,” Prim was somber. “Our little performance can withstand a delay.”
Leo faked an injury.
“You wound me, Miss P.J., me, your devoted suitor.”
“Can you be devoted in silence, Your Grace? I am trying to think.”
“You are troubled over your sisters,” Leo said, dropping the playful act.
Prim glanced up at him with a surprised look on her face. As if she was not expecting him to notice her distress.
“I am told I am observant,” Leo joked.
“I am sure you are told many things, but selective hearing is doing its job exceptionally at filtering them out.”
The Duke chuckled. Prim shook her head in annoyance as if dealing with him took every ounce of her patience.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” He said.
Her annoyed look turned into a thoughtful one. Leo scowled at himself. What on Earth was he thinking? He had his own troubles, and he didn’t have the energy for other people’s, too.
“No, just don’t break anything. I will ask Abigail for help.”
Leo felt a rise of anger at her open defiance and dismissal as if her were a child, but chose to ignore it.
“I am relieved,” he chuckled. “The offer was merely a courtesy. I would be mortified to be entrusted with tasks.”
“I am well aware. Now, if you will excuse me,” she curtsied out of pure habit.
Leo bowed and watched as she went straight to Abigail. On the surface, there was nothing that would interest him in watching the two ladies plotting a strategy to navigate the turbulent waters of the ton. And yet, Leo watched enthralled as the two women divided their efforts to ensure that both the twins had their chance on the dance floor.
Abigail was the one to take the twins by the arm and present them to the matrons of the ton. As for Prim, she followed closely, aware that her reputation might do more damage than good. Shewas the picture of serenity and poise, her posture respectful. And she was subtly nudging any of the bucks of the ball, who found it intriguing to get to know the woman that caught Leo’s eye, to her sisters.
Soon, the goal was achieved, some names were written down on the dancing cards of the girls who openly smiled at their sister. Prim beamed a genuine, real, bright smile that Leo saw for the first time. She was usually so serious and tense and guarded around him and in front of the ton.
“She is something else,” Edwin materialized at his side.
Leo knew exactly what Edwin was talking about, but he wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of acknowledging anything either way.
“Your wife has mastered the art of being the Duchess,” Leo stayed on safe ground, knowing that Edwin would never refute the fact.
“She has,” Edwin said with a dangerous glint in his eye. “But I am not talking about Abigail.”
