Emma stepped neatly into the circle without waiting to be invited, her posture impeccable, her expression serene but edged. She curtseyed to Lady Salford first, then to the other women with effortless grace.
“Lady Salford,” Emma said warmly. “We were just speaking of the Duchess. We would not dream of leaving her unattended.”
Benjamin followed with a genial bow, his fair hair catching the candlelight. “Your Grace,” he greeted Alexander politely, though his gaze flicked to Diana with quick concern. “Duchess.”
Martin and Georgina came after, Martin’s easy smile masking the alertness in his eyes, Georgina’s hands folded demurely before her.
Diana felt relief flood her so swiftly she almost swayed.
“Ah,” Lady Salford exclaimed with pleasure. “Reinforcements.”
Lady Pennington peered at Emma curiously. “And you are?—?”
Emma opened her mouth to reply, but Diana stepped forward quickly, a polite smile already settling into place. If the dowagers began dissecting her friends as they had just dissected her, the conversation would turn tiresome very quickly.
“Allow me,” she said smoothly. “Lady Pennington, may I present the Marquess and Marchioness of Pentbury, Benjamin and Emma Kinsley?”
Emma inclined her head with practiced grace.
“And here as well,” Diana continued, gesturing lightly toward the other couple, “are Baron and Baroness Tilbridge, Martin and Georgina Hyatt.”
She felt Alexander’s attention sharpen slightly beside her. The titles would help him, she knew; at least this way, he would not be forced into the awkwardness of guessing.
“Above all,” Emma added, then with calm composure. “I am Her Grace’s friend.”
Her emphasis was subtle but unmistakable, and warmth stirred in Diana’s chest at the quiet loyalty in the words.
“A devoted one,” Benjamin added with cheerful earnestness. “We are rarely permitted to neglect the Duchess.”
A few of the dowagers hummed approvingly.
“How comforting,” Lady Pennington remarked. “A young wife requires vigilant companions, particularly when her husband is touringeverywhere.”
Emma’s smile sharpened almost imperceptibly. “Indeed,” she agreed. “Though I am pleased to see His Grace has returned.”
Her gaze landed squarely on Alexander. Diana felt the shift in him again, the faint narrowing of his eyes in assessment. He inclined his head courteously.
“Lady Pentbury,” he said. “I trust you have been… attentive to my wife.”
Emma’s brows lifted. “Impeccably so.”
The tension between them could have sliced silk.
Benjamin, blissfully unaware or simply ignoring the undercurrent, gestured toward Diana. “We were just discussing how admirably she has managed Rosewood in your absence, Your Grace. Quite the formidable duchess.”
“Formidable?” Lady Markham echoed with relish.
Alexander’s gaze moved to Diana, a warmth igniting there. “I have discovered that for myself,” he said.
Her pulse jumped traitorously.
Martin stepped forward with practiced ease, placing himself slightly nearer to Georgina as though by instinct. “We have all admired the Duchess’s composure,” he said pleasantly. “London can be… persistent.”
“London,” Lady Markham sniffed, “is merely curious.”
“Curiosity has teeth,” Emma returned sweetly.
A soft ripple of laughter circled the group again.
