“Do something with her, Your Grace.” The countess sniffed. “I find I must leave now that your cousin has ruined my gown.
“Oh, Cousin Henry, I truly did not mean to cause any harm, or a fuss, nor did I mean to trip.”
That was just it, Damaris never meant to do anything, and it wasn’t as if she was reckless. He had witnessed occasions himself where she was simply walking and would stumble or turn suddenly and her hand happened to connect with a small statue and send it crashing to the ground or upset a teapot.
Each time it happened she became more nervous, and then more accidents happened, so making certain that she calmed down was the most important thing to do.
“I will take her to the retiring room,” Judith, the eldest offered as she gently took her sister by the elbow.
“We will all go,” Jael announced. She was the youngest.
Henry simply nodded then stepped out of the way as servants came forward to clean up the mess caused by his cousin.
“It could be worse,” Claybrook said with a chuckle as they watched the sisters make their way to the stairs. “All five of them could wreak havoc on Society.”
He nearly groaned. “I need something stronger than wine.”
“The library it is.”
“Guests usually do not stray from the public rooms of the host.”
“They do when the host is my cousin’s husband.”
“Are you certain Ellings will not mind?”
“I am positive and we might even find him lurking in there,” Claybrook assured him.
“He is currently dancing with his wife,” Henry nodded to the dancefloor.
“Come along, I promise that Ellings will have no objection.”
As Henry was in need of a brandy, he accepted Claybrook’s assurance.
This also gave him the opportunity to speak with Claybrook on a private matter.
“Perhaps there is something else that you could assist me with, though I am certain that what I am about to say should remain a secret. I also truly hope that you can answer my inquiry.”
“If it is to remain a secret, it goes no further than me, I promise,” Claybrook said as he poured two glasses of brandy.
“While I am in London, the servants are seeing to the renovation of the duke’s set of rooms back in the country and preparing five chambers for my cousins for when they return with me.”
Claybrook nodded and handed Henry a glass.
“The butler has sent to me some of the items that they found tucked away, not certain as to the importance or if I even want them.”
“I had the same situation when we started going through my father’s chambers.”
“Among my father’s private things was a signet ring with instructions. Not a ring with the ducal crest but different, with a…”
“‘W’,” Claybrook offered.
“Yes!” Thank goodness Claybrook knew what he was talking about because Henry had been extremely curious about the note and the ring that had arrived earlier in the day. “Do you know what it is all about?”
“I do but what did your father tell you?”
“I did not even know that it existed until a servant found it at the back of a drawer with a letter to me stating that he, and now me, is part of an alliance of dukes or heirs and that it should be used when I am in need of assistance.”
“That is what it is for. I do not understand the question, unless you need our help with your cousins.” Claybrook chuckled.
