“You see how it is, Wembly,” the duke said, “get involved with this family and I guarantee you’ll come out of it with a dog. Will it have the usual number of legs? Not guaranteed. But then, maybe it will look like that one,” he said, pointing at Sir Galahad. “Never was there a dog who more looked like his face was stomped on by a horse’s hoof.”
“Papa!” Valor said, offended that anyone would point out Sir Galahad’s rather flattened features.
“His eyes look as if they might fall out of his head and roll across the carpet,” the duke said, laughing at his own joke. “Wouldn’t be surprised if they did one of these days. Well, now, we’re all here, let’s get going and hope the butler who is currently haunting my rooms has managed something. Wembly, take Verity in, if you will.
Lord Wembly held out his arm. Verity laid her hand on it. So far, neither of them had said a word. It was as if they were both struck dumb in one another’s presence. It began to make her nervous.
Her nerves were somewhat distracted by what they found waiting for them in the dining room. What on earth?
It seemed Mr. Klonsume had been so bold as to redecorate. At least, she must assume so as she could not imagine who else would have done it.
The duke had stopped in his tracks. Mr. Klonsume hurried forward. “Your Grace, welcome to East meets West, a triumph of ingenuity.”
The triumph in question was an odd wallcovering that had been nailed to the far wall, depicting Indian men being fanned under palms. Most disturbing to Verity, there were monkeys in the trees, and she could not help thinking of the poor monkey she and Winsome had read about in the Royal Society paper.
“For the love of heaven,” the duke said.
“You note the maharajahs,” Mr. Klonsume said, somehow imagining that the duke’s comment was in appreciation.
The duke turned to his guests. “Ignore the wall covering as best you can. Now, let’s get on with it!” He took his seat and everybody followed suit.
Thomas had already arranged the place cards for Lady Pegatha to be on the duke’s right and Verity would be seatednext to Lord Wembly with Mr. Stratton on her other side. Felicity, being the oldest married lady, took the hostess’ seat.
The duke motioned to Charlie to bring round the wine. He said, “As you see, Lady Pegatha, Wembly, we do not host large dinners here. We like for the table to be able to talk together, rather than having the din of thirty people all talking to their neighbors.”
“Excellent notion, Your Grace,” Lady Pegatha said.
“We have known each other an age,” the duke said, “you’d better call me duke.”
Lady Pegatha nodded graciously. Valor stared at her father and said, “Papa?”
“Ah, yes, my youngest has got in the habit of saying something to kick us off. Hopefully it won’t be as startling as last year’s something.”
Valor shook her head at him as if she had no idea what he was talking about. “Welcome, Lady Pegatha, who is the honored person at the dinner.”
Verity suppressed a sigh.
“I always make a speech because I’m practicing to be my Papa’s hostess forever,” Valor said. “I will never leave him. If any of my sisters want to stay too, well, all I can say is that we would be very merry altogether. Also, we would not have to worry about a gentleman staying in our room all night. And staring at us while we sleep. Mr. Stratton.”
“One time,” Mr. Stratton muttered.
“We would be much happier all together and it’s just too bad some of my sisters didn’t think of that in time.” Valor allowed her condemning gaze to touch on Mr. Stratton, Lord Stanford, and Lord Thorpe.
“We are all very happy, though, Val,” Felicity said, laughing.
“You have to say that,” Valor said, leveling her gaze at Mr. Stratton. “He’s sitting right there. I only leave you with my hints for happiness, with our Papa, forever.”
Valor curtsied.
“Well! Rousing speech, as always,” the duke said.
“It must be hard to be the youngest of the sisters, losing them one by one,” Lord Wembly said.
“It is,” Valor answered. “Maybe you want to help me out!”
Lord Wembly did not answer and Verity felt as if she would like to sink through the floor. Valor had all but hinted that Lord Wembly had an interest in her, though Lord Wembly had not hinted it yet.
He would, though, would he not? They could not stop staring at one another in the drawing room. Certainly that meant something.
