“That’s what the invitation seems to imply.” Thomas gave him a frank look, as though he were growing tired of a particularly irritating practical joke. “Come now, cousin, surely you must have received an invitation. Practically everyone has.”
“Everyone? We are rather a sizeable cohort.” Dominic gestured around them.
“Cousin Louisa and her husband, every single one of the Rotworths, the two Edwards (I can never tell them apart), Cousin Emily and her fiancé, Cousin Cecily, Cousin Cecil.” Thomas continued to list off various family members and even a few members of the ton that the Dowager Duchess Canton was rather fond of. “Why, even Batty Beatrice has received an invitation!”
“Surely not Batty?” He knew he should not sound as aghast as he did, but he couldn’t help it.Beatrice is mad as a hatter!“The woman lives with sixteen terriers, and five of them are stuffed!”
“Actually, it’s eighteen now; she picked up two more last month.” Thomas shrugged.
“It is a good thing she has such a sizeable estate. And that her son is generous.” Dominic shook his head. “Shereceived an invitation?”
“She was showing Alexandra the invitation the other day when we had her round for tea.” Thomas explained. Dominic remembered that Alexandra, Thomas’s sister had been very close to Batty’s sister before she had passed. “If I had not seen the paper addressed to her, I would not have believed it, but I saw it, clear as day and in grandmother’s own hand.”
“I am surprised she did not eat it.” Dominic tried to sound as though he were joking but couldn’t help the tinge of irritation that coloured his words.
“She may be stark raving mad, but even Batty knows not to offend grandmother. I suspect Grandmother has invited her for entertainment rather than anything else.” Thomas stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Quite possibly.” Dominic agreed.It is just the sort of thing grandmother would do.
“Have you really not received an invitation?” Thomas gave him a sidelong look, as though still not entirely convinced that the conversation had not been part of some elaborate ploy.
“No.” Dominic answered flatly.But I do not intend to let it remain that way.
Thomas shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. “Perhaps you simply haven’t received yours yet. Or perhaps Grandmama sent it to the Duchy rather than your London house?”
“Yes, I am sure that is it. Though, if you will excuse me, I think I might speak to grandmother and sort this business out.” Dominic clapped his cousin on the shoulder as he glanced towards his grandmother.
She was still sitting in her gilded chair, now eating a sizeable bowl of pineapple. Mercifully she seemed to have grown tired of her crowd of relatives and was now sitting alone.A perfect time to speak with her.
“Of course.” Thomas inclined his head, following Dominic’s gaze and grimacing. “Good luck.”
Dominic did not reply. Instead, he squared his shoulders and walked towards his grandmother. The familiar tightness in his chest started as he moved through the crowd, but he forced it away. He could almost taste the bile in his mouth. He focused on his frustration and indignation, but took care not to show it on his face. It would not serve him well. Instead, he smiled his most charming smile as he approached Dowager Duchess Caverton and bowed low.
“Grandmama.” He smiled at her.
“Ah, Dominic, how wonderful to see you.” The Dowager Duchess pinched one of Dominic’s cheeks and grinned. “Have you come to pay your last respects to a dying woman? You certainly took your time.”
“I must say you look remarkably well for a woman on death’s door. I can only apologise for the delay in paying my respects. I would have been here sooner if I had known earlier.” Dominic looked at his grandmother meaningfully before adding, “If you had told me, I would have come at once.”
“And why would I have done that when you regularly boast of how versed you are in all things family?” Dowager Duchess Caverton replied in silky tones.
“To ensure I was able to say a last goodbye to my dearest grandmother?” Dominic ventured, still smiling at his grandmother. “It would be a shame for you to have missed even one person paying respects to a life well lived.”
“Perhaps, though I do have rather a lot of grandchildren, so I do not think I would miss one goodbye.” She gestured around them vaguely though Dominic saw the teasing sharpness in her smile.
So that is how she wants to do this. Well, two can play at that game.He leaned forward as though he and his grandmother were co-conspirators in a dastardly plot. “Even from your favourite grandson?”
“A rather bold claim to make, from someone I have not even invited to participate in my ‘Will Games’,” Dowager Duchess Caverton replied, her eyes glittering mischievously. “I can think of few people with the audacity to claim to be a favourite of a person if they were not even included in the will.”
“My understanding is that currently no one is in the will, and that is the point of your ‘Will Games’. Although, Cousin Thomas called them your ‘Death Games’.” Dominic canted his head towards his grandmother.
“I have not made up my mind. ‘Death Games’ sound like I am inviting you all to fight to the death. And while that would possibly be entertaining, it would be somewhat self-defeating.” Dominic’s grandmother sighed. “Though I confess, I do not like the sound of ‘Will Games’ either.”
“Perhaps the Dowager Dabbles?” he ventured.
“Oh, very good! I like that.” Her face split into a broad grin as she called her hands in delight. “My Dowager Dabbles. Wonderful, I would give you points if you were invited.”
“Well, why not invite meandgive me the points?” Dominic suggested, affecting a tone of overacted innocence.
