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A short while later, there came another knock, followed by the arrival of two footmen carrying trays laden with supper. Olivia stepped aside to let them enter, watching with growing amusement as the servants arranged the meal upon the small dining table near the windows.

There was roast chicken with crisp golden skin, buttered potatoes, glazed carrots, peas with mint, warm bread, a dish of rich gravy, and a small pie filled with minced beef and herbs.

A second tray held cheese, fresh fruit, and several delicate pastries, while a pot of steaming tea and a decanter of water completed the feast. It was considerably more food than two women could reasonably eat, which seemed to Olivia to be another peculiarity of being a duchess. Apparently, dukes did not believe their wives and sisters should ever risk feeling hungry.

Louiza sat down with a delighted expression as the servants withdrew. "If this is what supper is like at Glenmore, I believe I shall recover very quickly from everything we endured at Aunt Jane's."

Olivia laughed as she served her sister some chicken. "You have always recovered quickly when there was food involved."

"I was deprived of adequate nourishment," Louiza replied solemnly, reaching for the potatoes. "A woman cannot be expected to endure an aunt, a maid's uniform, and a hungry stomach all at once."

Olivia laughed so hard that she nearly spilled the gravy. "You smashed one of Aunt Jane's favorite vases in order to become that maid."

"And I maintain that it was an act of courage," Louiza said.

"It was an act of desperation."

"It was both." Louiza took a bite of potato with immense satisfaction, then sighed. "I could grow accustomed to this."

Olivia smiled as she watched her sister eat. The sight of Louiza sitting comfortably in her new surroundings filled her with a happiness she had not realized she needed. For so long, every decision had been about survival, escape, and keeping them together. Now they were sitting at a table in a duke's house, eating a proper supper without anyone shouting at them or telling them where they were permitted to go. It felt almost absurdly peaceful.

After they had eaten some of the main course, Louiza reached for her tea and glanced across the table. "When do you think we ought to write to Mother?"

Olivia paused with her fork halfway to her mouth. "That is a very good point." She lowered the fork and leaned back in her chair, suddenly remembering the world beyond Glenmore. "I am sure Aunt Jane will already have written a very cross letter to her."

Louiza gave a small groan. "Probably several."

"I can imagine the wording already." Olivia adopted her aunt's stern expression and lowered her voice into a dramatic imitation. "‘Your daughters have behaved disgracefully. Olivia has dragged Louiza into yet another scheme, and James Delves the Duke of Glenmore has carried them both away into scandal.’"

Louiza laughed. "Mother will certainly blame you."

"She always does."

"And father will believe her," Louiza said.

Olivia's smile faded slightly. She stared down at her tea, turning the cup slowly between her fingers. "Perhaps. But this time she will have to believe the part about my being married … and now a duchess."

Louiza's eyes widened with amusement. "You do realize Mother is going to be absolutely furious that she did not get to brag to all of the ton of London that her daughter married the Duke of Glenmore."

Olivia smiled faintly. "Yes. But I suspect she may also be rather impressed when she learns I married a duke and that he has permitted me to have another wedding in London with the family."

"He has? Oh, Olivia that is wonderful news," Louiza said.

They both stared at one another for a moment before dissolving into laughter. Olivia leaned back, feeling some of the tension leave her shoulders. Whatever anger and outrage awaited them in their mother's reply, they would face it together, as they always had. Olivia realized, they would face it from the safety of Glenmore Manor, where no one could separate them or decide their futures for them.

She lifted her teacup and smiled at Louiza. "Tomorrow, then. We shall write to Mother together."

Louiza raised her cup in agreement. "Together."

Olivia touched her cup lightly against her sister's, and for once the future did not seem quite so frightening.

Chapter Fifteen

"Good morn ..." Olivia stopped as she entered the breakfast room the next day and looked at Louiza.

She immediately understood that being a duchess came with an alarming amount of food. The long table had been arranged for three, though it looked as though a small gathering of twenty might arrive at any moment.

"Good morning. Please, join me," James said.