It took skill and finesse to execute a string of perfect crimes…which had yet to be shown were crimes at all.
Tulip now summoned her housekeeper to the parlor.
“I have arranged the seating chart for your approval, Your Grace,” Mrs.Granger said, bustling in with papers in hand.
“Excellent, I’ll have a look at it now.”
Alex walked in while they were perusing the table seating.
Tulip glanced up at him in annoyance because he was supposed to leave them alone to chat, and now he was here again and undermining the entire purpose.But she wondered what was on his mind, for she noticed a flicker of something in his eyes.
“Mrs.Granger, I understand your family used to reside here,” Alex said, his manner light and pleasant.
Alex was never light and pleasant.
What was he up to?
Mrs.Granger looked up at him, obviously wary.“Yes, they did.”
“Then do join us when we host my wife’s family and friends this evening.I learned quite by chance that your mother and aunt were great friends with William and Perty Hester.I’m sure they would be delighted for your company.”
Heat shot into Mrs.Granger’s cheeks.“Oh, Your Grace.That is most generous, but I couldn’t.It isn’t my place.”
Alex shook his head.“Ah, but you must.I have invited Mr.Carver to dine with us, too.I understand they were all good friends.This will help me very much as you are all far more familiar with the Davenport history than I am.”
“But I will add nothing.How can I know anything about your history when I wasn’t raised here and did not know them at all?”she said, her voice sounding the littlest bit shrill.
“Well, this will be your chance to get to know them better.”He slapped his hands to his thighs, indicating the discussion was at an end.“I’ll leave you to work out the modifications to the table seating with Her Grace.”
Tulip smiled sweetly as he strode off to his study.
What in blazes?
He had told hernotto mention Elspeth, and here he was tossing her memory right in Mrs.Granger’s face.
Mrs.Granger let out a heavy breath.“He is not serious about having me join you, is he?Please, Your Grace…I would be so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be, for he is quite serious and means to do you a kindness.Would it not be rude of us to leave you out when your family was great friends with my own?Why did you not tell me?”
“I did not think you would care.And why should you?My family was nothing special.It never occurred to me to mention them.”
“Well, no matter.Mr.Carver will be joining us, as will some of my friends and their parents.Of course, you know this,” she said with a light trill of laughter, “since you’ve helped me organize this party from start to finish.”
“But I am merely your housekeeper.”
“And Mr.Carver is our estate manager.And my uncle runs a mercantile shop in Burnham.What is your point?And there is not an ounce of blue blood in my family.”
“But you are now a duchess.I should not be sitting with you,” she insisted.
Tulip shook her head.“Tonight, you are a friend.I cannot pretend our dining together will be a common occurrence.Obviously, it will not.Our next round of parties will be for the purpose of introducing ourselves to the local landed gentry and those of rank who reside in the area.Enjoy yourself as our guest this one time.”
She placed her hand over Mrs.Granger’s as though to soothe her, but her real purpose was to measure her reaction to the invitation.
Her hand was cold and trembling.
“Mrs.Granger, is something wrong?Why are you so afraid of sharing a meal among friends?”
“I am not friendly with any of your family or friends,” she repeated with insistence, her features now pale and her composure quite fragile.“They do not know me.”
