Amanda flushed at the insinuation there might be eavesdroppers around. She bent over her accounts again. Davina trailed the duchess out of the chamber and across to the dining room.
Calling it that had become a misnomer because it rarely served for dining now. Rather it had been set up for gambling, with small tables and a wager book. Mostly, Davina had seen women playing whist for money, but once a member had served as a dealer forvingt-et-un.
The duchess took a seat at the far table near the doors that led to a small garden. She invited Davina to sit with her.
“As I told you last week, I have come to London for a reason,” Davina began. “It was not to be a tutor. That was merely a way to get here.”
“You want to speak with the king about an important matter to your family on which the king made promises. Has that finally come to pass?”
“I was summoned to the palace today, due to your letter on my behalf. Without your influence I doubt it would ever have happened.”
“It was not my influence, but that of my father whose shade stands by my shoulder. The king has no love forme. However, it is good to know that I still have some influence, small though it may be. And I am joyed that you had your audience.”
“I did, but not with the king. I met with a man named Mr. Haversham.”
She received a kind, regretful smile. “It is not easy to see a king, especially this one. You are being rebuffed because he does not want to be reminded of his promise.”
“I expect so.”
“You said you met him at a dinner during the festivities in Edinburgh. Was he in his cups? Stupid question. Of course he was. And there you were, a pretty young woman and he agreed to help you in order to be gracious and perhaps more. Oh, do not feel you have to tell me. His habits are well known, as is his eye for the ladies.” She tapped her fingers against her chin. “May I ask what this is about? You did not offer the information last week, and I did not press you, but—”
“It involves a legacy. One that has been ignored over a long time. His father had also agreed to rectify the situation, you see. Only then he went mad, and . . .”
“So two kings promised to help with this and neither one did? That is not acceptable. This one is afraid you will put it out that he does not keep his word, or even honor that of his father.”
That was what her employer Mr. Hume had said.Your greatest weapon is the gossip that will make him look bad.
The duchess pondered the matter a few moments. “I think you will hear more of this from the palace. I think they will either settle matters as you want, or try to buy you off in some way. You must decide if you are willing to allow the latter, and if so what this legacy is worth to you.”
“Why do you think this will happen?”
“I suppose because it is what I would do if faced with your determination.”
Davina hoped that was a compliment. She wondered if Haversham had seen what the duchess seemed to see in her.
“I hope you are right.” Davina stood to take her leave. “I thank you for your help in opening the palace door for me. I hope I have not been too bold in requesting your aid.”
The duchess laughed. “You have been most bold. As it happens, I admire that in a woman.”
“I am glad for that, and very grateful.”
The duchess stood too. “Let me know what transpires. Someday perhaps you will tell me all about this legacy. I think there is an interesting story there.”
* * *
Eric stretched out his legs and gazed at the inky red liquid in the glass he held. His two friends, the Duke of Stratton and the Duke of Langford, had already finished theirs. In ten minutes or so it would be time to join the ladies.
“It was good of you to come,” Langford said to no one in particular and everyone in general.
“Of course we would come. A small dinner party is an excellent way for your wife to test her new wings,” Stratton said.
“You can invite a few more to the next one,” Eric said. He took a sip of the port. “This went well, and dinner parties are all much the same except for the number of chairs.”
It had been the smallest of dinner parties, with only three couples present. A first stab at entertaining for the former Amanda Waverly, it had indeed gone well enough. She could use a bit of help with the menu, but the cook should get her in hand. Or else one of the ladies would. Stratton’s wife Clara would not hesitate to instruct the new duchess if she decided it were necessary.
“I told her it was too few, but she was so nervous . . . Well, she was not born to this, of course.” Langford ran his fingers through his dark curls the way he always did when worried. Eric knew his friend did not care if the dinner went well or not. His wife did, however, and the concern was all for her contentment.
“Perhaps her next attempt should be an afternoon gathering. A salon,” Brentworth said. “Another one for that journal, for example.” Thus did his mouth speak his mind, which had been occupied for the last days with a certain essayist for that journal. Davina MacCallum thought to connive her way to taking one of his estates, did she? She was in for a sad reckoning on that scheme.
