Then it was explained to him. It was called, very aptly as it turned out, Fact or Fib. They would be asked questions and then the answers would be determined to be a fact or a fib. He did not understand how it could be so. They knew next to nothing about him—how could they judge whether he was truthful or lying?
He supposed he’d find it out. All he knew for now was that one received a yellow ticket for the truth and a blue ticket for a lie, a blue ticket canceled a yellow, and it took three yellows to win. At least it was not complicated.
The footman brought round the port and he could at least be grateful for that.
“Val,” the duke said, “you’ve always insisted on going first.”
“Oh no, Papa, not this time,” Lady Valor said. “That was only when I was too young to stay up late.” She appeared embarrassed to be asked.
“I’ll start us off, Papa,” Lady Felicity said. “Lord Tramondeley, I understand from my aunt that you have received a voucher for Almack’s. Who shall you request the patronesses to put you down for?”
From that, Weston presumed that one had to ask the patronessesto be put down on a lady’s card, rather than the lady herself. It seemed an unnecessary palaver, but it was none of his concern. He’d still not got around to telling Lady Marchfield he would not attend, but now he felt backed into it.
“Nobody,” he said. “I will not attend as I do not dance.”
The sisters all stared at one another. Lady Felicity picked up a blue ticket. “Fib,” she said. “It must be. Everybody dances.”
“I am afraid it is my fault,” Lord Ledderbey said. “I was remiss in neglecting that part of the boy’s education.”
“Now hold on,” the duke said. “Tramondeley says he does not dance and Ledderebey says he never learnt. Two different things, to my mind.”
“I’ve never learned,” Weston said. “It has never seemed a priority.”
Lady Felicity slowly switched the colored tickets in her hand.
“Easily remedied,” the duke said. “Val can teach you. I’ll send her over with Mrs. Right and I’m sure her sisters will pitch in as they can.”
“Oh yes, certainly,” Lady Serenity said. “I am just a few doors down.”
“Yes, Serenity will be the best to go. She is so nearby and, in any case, I might not be the very best teacher,” Lady Grace said. “I sometimes wobble.”
“She’s adorable when she does wobbles, though,” Lord Dashlend said. “And it’s not nearly as much as it was.”
Lord Dashlend’s caveat to Lady Grace’s wobbling was met with nods of approval from her sisters.
Weston was dumbfounded. They would come to his house and make him dance? He was not at all certain how Lady Valor viewed the idea of being volunteered for the task. Her cheeks were a rather fiery color. He would not be surprised if she were furious. Why should she not be? It was an imposition.
“What an admirable solution,” Lord Ledderbey said. “Look at that,my boy, you can attend Almack’s after all.”
Wonderful.
The game continued and Lord Ledderbey was asked just how badly he thought of the duke, considering he had been a friend of his departed brother. Lord Ledderbey hemmed and hawed and claimed it was not so bad and was instantly named a fibber.
The crowning moment came when Lady Patience inquired what Weston had first noticed about Lady Valor. The real answer was how different she looked from Lady Letitia, but he thought it unwise to say so. He claimed it was her elegance. There was some whispering between the sisters over it, and then it was deemed true.
Nobody was getting anywhere near three yellow tickets, but fortunately Lord Ledderbey mentioned he was tired. There was nothing for it but to conclude without a winner. Weston could not help but notice the various looks of relief and joy on the other gentlemen’s expressions.
They were led out by a footman. It seemed that Mr. Huberville had been sent off to recover from his violent encounters with a doorframe and a cheese tray.
The carriage set off. Lord Ledderbey said, “Well that was something.”
“It was something, but what?” Weston said with a laugh.
“It was not what I expected. Yes, the duke is entirely bizarre and his treatment of Lady Marchfield is abhorrent. On the other hand, she seems to give as good as she gets. I did find him likable in a very odd way. What did you think of him?”
“He’s a strange fellow, there is no doubt about it. And very presumptuous too. He never even bothered to inquire if I wished to know how to dance. I am not sure I do.”
“Ah well, too late now, I suppose. He’s arranged to send Lady Valor, Lady Serenity, and their housekeeper over tomorrow afternoon. I will be interested in getting a look at this housekeeper—LadyMarchfield is convinced she is the devil in disguise.”
