Page 18 of Snowed In with the Jilted Duke

“There you are, miss. You do look handsome.”

If she was going to do this, she needed to do it well. She must save Penny’s reputation to have any chance of making amends.

Pippa took a fortifying breath that threatened to overflow the neckline of the gown and nodded. “Thank you, Sally.”

After a moment’s hesitation, she picked up Penny’s favorite fan, left behind with all of her other finery. A lady must have a weapon if she was going into battle.

Penny hovered uncertainly in the door of the Green Salon, but Oliver noticed her almost as soon as she arrived. He crossed to her immediately.

“There you are, my dear!” He extended his arm and smiled down at her, a smile that froze for just a moment as his eyes took in what the gossamer fichu tucked into her neckline barely concealed. “You look… stunning tonight.”

“Thank you,” she said tartly, and he raised his eyes to hers, his expression a little sheepish.

“Forgive me,” he murmured, taking her hand in his and raising it to his lips, his gaze intense. She flushed and dropped her eyes, even knowing it was all pretense for the benefit of those around him.

The dowager duchess’s cane rang out on the floor, and they sprang apart. “Bring the girl over here, Kendal, and stop dawdling.”

“Of course, Grandmama.” He settled Pippa’s hand in the crook of his arm and guided her over to make her curtsy under the dowager’s critical eye.

“Hmph,” the elderly woman said. “Well enough, I suppose. You must practice more for when you are presented to the queen after your marriage.”

“Yes, your grace,” Pippa murmured, but the other woman waved an airy hand.

“You are to be married in only a few days. You may call me Grandmama, as the others do.”

Startled, Pippa looked to Oliver. “Er… thank you. Grandmama. But I thought Oliver had told you we will postpone the wedding until P—Pippa is feeling better.”

“What does the gel have, anyway? Is she contagious? Why has the physician not seen her?”

“Everyone is snowed in, Grandmama,” Oliver cut in smoothly. “Miss Philippa does not seem to be dangerously ill, but she is certainly unwell and should not be out amongst the other guests. Her maid is caring for her.”

“Hmph.” The dowager looked ill-pleased, but let the matter go. “And where is Hugo?”

“He was called back to the Admiralty last night and left early this morning.”

“Likely snowed in himself somewhere along the road. Hasn’t been a storm this bad in decades up here.”

Pippa turned to Oliver, making a show of it for the rest of the family. “Do you suppose my father is snowed in as well?”

“If he has not arrived by now, I’m afraid we must assume he has been.” Oliver patted her hand where it lay on his arm. “Your father is a sensible man. I’m sure he’s perfectly safe.”

“Yes, of course,” Pippa said.

Oliver tilted his head towards hers and slid his arm to her back to draw her closer and murmur in her ear. “Will it make you feel better if I send a stableboy out to look for him once the storm is over?”

“If it came to that,” she murmured back, “it would be better to send one after Penny and Lord Hugo. We at least know Penny was on the road to Carlisle.”

“Yes, unless she became lost, it should be easy for Hugo to find her.”

“What are you two mumbling about?” the dowager said sharply, and they sprang apart. “Smelling of April and May in the dead of winter.” Her words were tart, but the small smile on her thin lips said she was pleased.

The double doors of the drawing room opened to reveal Teasdale, tall and dignified as he bowed to the dowager. “Madam is served.”

The dowager nodded and signaled for the nearest male cousin to push her Bath chair to the dining room. Oliver and Penny fell into step behind them, and Penny had a brief moment of disorientation. She never led the way to the dining room, even at home. On Oliver’s arm, she outranked the whole family except for the dowager duchess.

It was a peculiar feeling, and not one Pippa was sure she enjoyed.

At least it was only for a few days.