Page 123 of The Dueling Duchess

Cecile felt a burst of pride in Cat that she’d done nothing at all to earn. “She is. And clever, too.”

“So, are you going to forgive him?” Marianne asked, suddenly serious.

“What do you think?”

Marianne grinned and clapped her hands. “You are!” She leaned forward and lowered her voice, “But you want to make him grovel a bit more, don’t you?”

“Why not?”

They both laughed until tears rolled down their cheeks.

“Are we horrible?” Marianne asked, taking out a handkerchief to dab away the moisture.

“He deserves it.”

“He does,” Marianne agreed, getting to her feet. “I had better be off. I just wanted to deliver your invitation and Blade’s. Do you think she will come?”

“Who knows with that one?”

“I took it by her address, but she no longer lives there.”

“That’s strange. I didn’t know she’d moved. Do you want to leave it with me, and I will give it to her tonight?”

“If you don’t mind?”

“Not at all.” Cecile smirked. “Indeed, this way I can browbeat her into coming.”

“Let me know if you need help with that.”

Cecile nodded, her mind already racing ahead to the gown she would need to buy for her first ton event.

* * *

As things turned out, Cecile didn’t see Blade until early Sunday morning, when Cecile was, yet again, in her office paying bills.

The first thing Cecile did when the other woman entered was hand her the invitation to the ball.

Blade looked at it as if she’d never seen a piece of parchment in her life. “For me?”

“Yes, for you.”

Blade turned the expensive envelope over and over in her hands. She glanced up. “Are you sure?”

“Your name is on it. Marianne hand delivered it for you. It is her first big ton party.”

Blade nodded, both she and Angus staring at the invitation.

“Don’t let that bird eat it,” Cecile said, hoping to tease the quiet woman out of her obvious state of shock.

“No, Angus isn’t fond of paper,” she mumbled, her forehead furrowed. “But . . . why?”

Cecile felt a pang in her chest at Blade’s utter confusion. As if she’d never been the recipient of an overture of friendship before.

“Because she likes you, Jo. And I’m sure she is grateful for all the help you gave her in France last year.” She chuckled. “I know I’m grateful to you for saving us.”

“I was only doing my job—what I was paid to do.”

“Whatever Marianne’s reasons, she told me she’d appreciate your being there. It is the first event she will hostess as the Duchess of Staunton. I daresay she wants her friends around her.”