“Well done, Captain,” the duke said. “Remember, these are early days.”
Miles nodded gravely.
“Now I know it is a burden to keep this army in order while your elders dine,” the duke said. “You are of an age, and Isabelle too, to dine with us. However I am counting on you two to manage it for me below stairs.”
“We will do our duty, Your Grace,” Miles said, adding a salute to it.
“Good lad.”
“And I’m in charge if Miles goes anywhere,” Isabelle said.
“Excellent news.” The duke turned to Weston. “It was Miles’ idea to keep the cousins all in close contact. My Gracie’s son, he’s a clever boy.”
Weston did not comment that the duke had not bothered to stay in close contact withhimthough that might also have been clever. Hegot the sense that the duke was not prone to that sort of self-reflection.
The second-in-command, Isabelle, did not seem to take kindly to hearing the duke compliment young Miles. She was getting very red in the face.
“Isabelle, I count on you to use your sharp eyes, I quite depend upon them,” the duke said in an effort to mollify.
“Sharpest, Grandpapa,” Isabelle said cheerfully.
“Ah, and here is my youngest daughter just coming in,” the duke said.
Weston turned and suddenly felt a bit wobbly. My God, she looked nothing like Lady Letitia. She was dark haired with round hazel eyes and rather perfect lips. Her dress was entirely elegant.Shewas elegant and there was not a waving fan in sight.
“Val, you already know all your sisters and my collection of sons-in-law, come and meet Tramondeley,” the duke called.
She approached and delivered a smart little bob. “Lord Tramondeley,” she said.
“And that fellow is Lord Ledderbey,” the duke said jovially. “Friend of my brother’s. I already told him I am not as bad as he might have heard.”
“And I said he most certainly was,” Lady Marchfield said.
“Aunt, you know you love Papa. Deep down. Lord Ledderbey,” Lady Valor said. “My father likes to jest, but if you have heard that he is bad, then I am afraid youaremistaken. So many people do not understand my father.”
“Oh I see, yes of course,” a rather dumbfounded Lord Ledderbey said.
Weston was not precisely dumbfounded, but he was something else. Lady Valor’s voice was soft, but it had a rich tone. It had none of the high-pitched squalling of Lady Letitia. As well, he could not say he was convinced she was right about her father, he probablywasas bad as they thought, but he could admire her willingness to defend him.And those eyes…those pretty hazel eyes.
“We’re very glad to know you, Lord Tramondeley,” Lady Valor said. “I hope you do not mind it if I climb the ramparts and say hello to all my nieces and nephews.”
“Certainly not,” Weston said.
Lady Valor proceeded to lift her skirt, which revealed a pretty little ankle, and climbed into the fray. She was instantly overcome by said nieces and nephews, but for young Miles, who at his age looked for more dignity for himself.
The hapless butler suddenly caught Weston’s eye. Actually, he caught almost everybody’s eye. He was at the drawing room doors making all sorts of hand motions at the duke—he raised his arms over his head like a drowning man waving for a life ring, then pointed determinedly in the direction of the hall, then he ended the dramatic performance by waving his arms in that direction as if he were a constable waving a cart forward in an effort to clear a road.
The duke heaved a sigh. “Lord help us, I think that man is trying to tell me we can go through. Miles, Mrs. Right and some of the maids will be in shortly to lead this circus below stairs. Tramondeley, take Valor in. Ledderbey, I’m sure Lady Misery would not mind an arm.”
