Chapter One
THE GAUNTLET IS THROWN
“Is it me, or do these family events get more and more extravagant and chaotic each time?” Dominic Dorson, Duke of Verimore, shook his head, a smile on his face as he readjusted his cravat. “I will never understand how we allow ourselves to be roped into these shenanigans year after year.”
“Do not pretend you do not live for the chaos, Dorson. Besides, you know that we would never hear the end of it if we played truant from even the most trivial of family events. Why, I did not hear the end of it after I evaded the last amateur musical!” Lord Thomas Heathcliff, heir to the Marquess of Elington, said, gesturing around him. “Let alone the wrath grandmother would bring down upon our heads if we even daredthinkabout missing one of her events.”
Dominic laughed at his cousin. “I may enjoy the chaos, but that does not mean I do not find it tiring. After all, our ranks seem to grow by the day. Every other event, I seem to discover some distant cousin or an aunt twice removed.”
“That is what happens when the matriarch is thrice married.” Thomas shrugged.
“It is a mark of her somewhat fearsome reputation that she is still held in such high esteem in the ton. I dread to think what would normally be said of a woman thrice married in other circumstances. Though I have to admit, it would be rather amusing to see someone brave enough to say such things to her.” Dominic glanced across the room at his grandmother.
Agatha Felton, the Dowager Duchess Caverton, was sitting in a heavily gilded chair, wearing a dress of deep indigo, and laughing uproariously with several of Dominic’s aunts and uncles.
“It does not bear thinking about.” Thomas shuddered. “Still, it is rather surprising that so many of us have journeyed here today.”
“It is probably a sign of how well we all love her… or perhaps how much we fear her.” Dominic shook his head.
“Or perhaps a little of both.” Thomas took a sip of his drink. “Although, I imagine this madness will be nothing compared to grandmother’s games. Her invitations have caused quite the commotion. No one knows quite what to make of them.”
“Must be because of grandmother’s games, we are all quite baffled.”
“What do you mean, ‘grandmother’s games’?” Dominic frowned at his cousin. “I have heard nothing of this.”
Dominic was unaccustomed to not being in the know, especially when it came to matters relating to his family. Of course, he had rather a large family, but he made a point of keeping up with all their news.Besides, grandmother and I have always been on good terms.
Besides being the matriarch of the family, Lady Felton was so wealthy that her fortune rivalled the King’s. It was the benefit of having married two dukes with a marquess between them.
Thomas shook his head, playfully batting at Dominic’s arm. “Come now, cousin, do not jape. Our grandmother may be intent on playing games, but we do not have to play them with each other!”
“I assure you, I am telling you the truth. I do not know what you are talking about.” Dominic kept his voice cool, trying not to show his irritation.
“What? Surely not. Practically everyone has received an invitation,” exclaimed Thomas as he gestured around them.
“An invitation to what exactly?” Dominic asked, the edges of his patience wearing thin.
“To her ‘Death’ games.” Thomas sighed.
“Her what?” Dominic exclaimed, glancing from his cousin to his grandmother.
“Apparently her health is declining, and she has been told she does not have long left to live. Though I confess, she does not look terribly unwell.” Thomas looked at his grandmother, narrowing his eyes suspiciously as he took in her gaiety.
Privately, Dominic agreed, but he knew too well that looks could be deceiving. “You cannot always tell with such things, and I cannot imagine someone lying about such a thing.”
“No, it does seem a strange thing to lie about.” Thomas sounded pensive, and Dominic heard the unspoken part of his sentence: if anyone were to lie about such a thing, it would be their eccentric grandmother.
“It is odd to imagine a world without her in it.” Dominic felt his heart twist.She is so much larger than life. What a hole she would leave.
“Very much so,” Thomas agreed sadly.
Dominic shook his head and decided to return to the matter at hand. “But what were you saying about games?”
“Oh, yes! Apparently, grandmother is dying, and rather than do the traditional thing of writing a will and sharing out her vast fortune, she has decided that we must compete for it.” Thomas shook his head, bewilderment and exasperation clear on his face.
“Are you saying that she is planning on giving herentirefortune to the victor?” Dominic exclaimed.That is enough money that I could restore my duchy thrice over.
It would solve all of his problems with plenty to spare to help those he cared about.And it looks like you have been excluded from it.No, his cousin could not be correct. Could he?
