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"Lady Mary," James said pleasantly, "I hope you will find the evening agreeable."

"I am certain I shall," she replied, accepting a glass from a passing servant. "We have been terribly curious to meet the duchess."

"I believe she is still getting ready," James answered. "You shall have the opportunity shortly."

Lady Mary's eyes brightened. James almost smiled. Precisely as anticipated.

He moved on and greeted Magistrate Phillips, who had arrived with his wife. James had invited the magistrate for two reasons, both entirely practical. It was always wise for a duke to maintain a cordial relationship with the man responsible for administering justice in the surrounding district, but there was another advantage. Magistrate Phillips spoke frequently with officials, solicitors, landowners, and men connected to Parliament, and news travelled quickly through such circles.

"Magistrate Phillips, I am pleased you could attend," James said, extending his hand.

"Your Grace, I would not have missed it," Phillips replied, clasping his hand. "It is not every day Glenmore hosts an evening such as this."

"Then I am pleased to give you an excuse to attend one."

Phillips chuckled. "And your new duchess?"

James glanced across the room, "She will join us shortly."

"I am very glad to hear it."

James moved away with the satisfaction of a man whose plans were proceeding precisely as intended. The magistrate would speak to others. Others would speak to their families. Eventually, the information would reach London and Parliament through the endless network of aristocratic correspondence. James did not require admiration. He required recognition, and there was a significant difference.

Vicar Rogers was next. The local vicar was an affable man with a remarkable talent for remembering every scrap of gossip he heard from his parishioners and repeating it with great enthusiasm. James shook his hand warmly.

"Vicar Rogers, thank you for joining us."

"Your Grace, I am honored," Rogers replied, his eyes already wandering around the room. "I shall have quite a story for the parish on Sunday."

James nearly laughed. "I suspected as much."

And that is the very reason you were invited.

"I shall tell them Glenmore has never looked more splendid."

"And perhaps you might mention that my wife is equally splendid."

The vicar's eyebrows rose with amusement. "I believe I shall, Your Grace."

James knew that by Sunday the entire parish would know about the marriage. By the following week, neighboring parishes would know as well. He had no intention of leaving anything to chance. The more ordinary the duchess became to the county, the easier it would be later to convince everyone about the child.

Then James saw the one person who might still be a bother.

Lady Jane Charnley stood near the windows, her expression stern as ever, while Louiza remained beside her. James had hesitated before agreeing to the invitation. Olivia had insisted that her aunt ought to be included despite the unpleasantness of their parting, and James had eventually agreed. If Lady Charnley had refused to attend, that would have been her choice but excluding her would only invite questions. Better to make the gesture and allow everyone to see that the duchess's family had been welcomed into Glenmore.

James approached them, his expression composed. "Lady Charnley," he said, bowing. "I am pleased you could attend."

The Dowager Countess inclined her head. "Your Grace."

Louiza smiled.

James glanced at her. "Louiza. I trust you are enjoying the evening."

"Very much," she replied, looking toward the gathering. "It is rather wonderful seeing so many people here."

Lady Charnley gave her a pointed look. "Your sister has arranged quite an impressive evening."

"She has," James agreed. "She has done remarkably well."