That was a good touch.
“My son will wed another lady,” his father practically shouted.
Giff stood. “I shall not. I will marry Lady Alice or no one.”
Papa looked at Giff, then at Alice. Finally, he glanced at Worthington who was regarding Papa with an interested expression. “You put them up to this. Turned my own son against me.”
Giff coughed. “No. Lady Alice is quite serious about these agreements.”
“Young lady?” Papa blustered.
She raised her brows. “Your grace?”
The room was silent as they locked gazes for almost a full minute. “By God.” He slapped the top of the chair. “You’ll make a deuced good duchess. I almost gave up hope of him finding a lady with a spine like yours.” He took his seat again. “Well, Worthington, let’s get to it. I agree.”
Giff let out the breath he’d been holding. He’d been right. All they had to do was to stand up to his father. While he, Papa, and Worthington signed the agreements, Alice tugged the bell-pull. The butler appeared with champagne and glasses.
As the secretary took the documents, the butler poured. Papa held up his glass. “Welcome to the family, my dear.
Alice inclined her head and returned the toast.
Next Papa saluted Worthington. “You are as formidable as I had been told. I’m glad for our connection.”
Once the wine had been drunk, Worthington escorted Papa out of the study.
“Is he always like that?” Alice asked.
Giff pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “Only when he decides to be obstinate.
His father left muttering to himself, “ Eight. Two dukes, three marquises . . .”
The door closed and they were alone for at least a minute or two. Alice grinned. “I think he likes playing a bully to see if someone stands up to him.”
Giff wondered. “A trickster?”
“Not so much a trickster as an instigator. I suppose I shall have to get used to crossing swords with him.”
Giff shuddered at the thought. “Which is the very reason we are not living at Cleveland Castle.”
“Thank Heaven for that.” She pulled a face. “We will be in the same house during the Season.”
He took her hand. “It’s now time for you to see the Heir’s Wing of Cleveland House.”
They called for her phaeton and made the drive to his parents’ house.
They were greeted by the Cleveland under-butler, a tall well-built man who looked to be in his thirties. Alice had thought to make Williams the butler, but the under-butler was clearly hoping for the position. She would have to speak to Giff about it.
The servant bowed. “Her grace said you would want to inspect the wing today.”
Alice smiled. “Thank you. What is your name?
“Simmons, my lady. Mrs. Simmons, my wife, is the senior maid. She is waiting to show you around and assist you.”
Mrs. Simmons would most likely become their housekeeper. It was a good thing to have senior staff already in place. “Let us begin.”
Mrs. Simmons arrived with a notebook and pencil in hand and curtseyed. “My lady, I have had an opportunity to inspect the linens.” She grimaced. “Most of them will need to be replaced.”
Alice sighed. Yet she was not surprised. Her grace had said that other than regular cleaning, nothing had been done for years. “I will leave that to you.”
