There was a chorus of laughter at Batty’s words.
“Come up to the stage, so I might pronounce you the victor.”
Once more, his grandmother went through her little ceremony, clearly delighting in the pageantry of it all. Dominic could not help but marvel at her showmanship, half wondering what kind of spectacle she was likely to cause at his own wedding.
Over the next half hour, she announced more consolation prizes including gifting Charlotte and himself £500. Charlotte and Dominic managed to hide their surprise, after all, the Dowager Duchess had already gifted them a substantial sum as an engagement present. As the proceedings drew to a close, his grandmother held up her hand once more.
“And now, for my final prize, I should like to invite Lady Lydia Grey, daughter of the Baron of Banbury, to the stage.”
Dominic frowned and glanced at Charlotte. “Was it not Lady Lydia who Grandmother dismissed for her rudeness?”
“Yes. It was.” Charlotte’s brow was furrowed as well.
Lady Lydia approached the dais with a sickeningly self-satisfied smile on her face. The look on his grandmother’s face was almost predatory. Dominic felt as though he were watching a lamb being led to the slaughter.
Except this lamb does not seem to realise what is happening.
“Your Grace, I am so incredibly thankful for your generosity. That you have seen fit to reward me. Well, I am not surprised,” Lady Lydia said, and everyone around Dominic groaned.
“How can the woman be quite so vapid?” Cecily asked.
Dominic expected his grandmother to dress the woman down, but she did not. Instead, she smiled at the woman and said, “Oh, I am so glad. After all, I have chosen a gift that is perfect for you and is exactly what you deserve.”
“Lady Lydia Grey, daughter of Baron Banbury, kneel.” His grandmother pointed to the floor in front of her.
“I would rather —” Lady Lydia began, but his grandmother cut her off.
“I said kneel.” The Dowager Duchess’s smile was all teeth.
“Yes, Your Grace.” Lady Lydia dropped into a kneel.
“To you, I gift this tea set.” His grandmother gestured to a servant who procured the very same tea set that the woman had derided. “I look forward to using it, each time I come to visit.”
Lady Lydia looked as though she had been slapped in the face. A chorus of laughter broke out. The woman took the tea set from his grandmother’s servant, clearly trying and failing to get a hold of her expression.
“Your Grace is too kind. I could not possibly accept —”
“Nonsense. Of course, you can accept it. And I look forward to using it whenever I visit you. And I have already told all of my friends about the gift, and I know that they too look forward to experiencing your most excellent hospitality.”
“They do?” Lady Lydia sounded horrified.
Beside him, Thomas and Frederick had tears of laughter streaking down their faces, and both Cecily and Charlotte seemed overcome with fits of giggles. Dominic, himself, was struggling to contain his amusement.
“They do.” His grandmother gave out a wicked laugh as she dismissed the other woman. “Take care, Lady Lydia. It has been so very good to see you again.”
More laughter rang through the hall, and the Dowager Duchess clapped her hands together. Music began to play as she called out, “And with that, let the dancing begin. I hope you all have a truly wonderful day.”
Couples began to journey to the dance floor while Dominic’s group of companions attempted to get a hold of themselves. Lady Lydia was grumbling to anyone who would listen, which was no one.
“Remind me never to get on the wrong side of your grandmother,” Charlotte said, leaning against him, her familiar lavender and violet perfume washing over him.
“I doubt you would ever manage that,” Dominic replied.
“Oh, she might.” A familiar voice said from behind them, making everyone jump.
“Grandmother! I did not see you,” Dominic exclaimed, his heart beating wildly.
“I know,” his grandmother replied and then gestured to each of his cousins. “Thomas, stop standing around gawping, and go and ask Lady Andrea to dance. Frederick, if you do not find an eligible woman to dance with, I shall tell the kitchens you are on a diet, and you will not get pudding for a month.”
