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“What are we laughing at?” Verity questioned when she entered the room.
“Nothing, dear,” Silva said, and just then, it reminded me of all the times I had caught my mother laughing among friends, only for the conversations to come to a halt when I entered. I thought it had been about me but now I realized that I might have been very much mistaken.
“You have redecorated,” Verity said, glancing around the drawing room.
“Oh, yes, I am in the process of it. Do you like it? If not, I can have it removed,” I said as a maid brought us cakes and tea.
“No, it’s beautiful, very bright.” She chuckled. “Like new life in here.”
Emeline moved to sit next to her.
“So how have you fared being mistress of…all of this?” Silva asked. “It is even more than I imagined. I worry about one day being left to tend Belclere Castle, and this is much larger.”
“Ironically enough, I feel even more familiar with Everely. My mother had me focus on this home for years. Arriving here, I felt less overwhelmed and more dedicated to proving my studies correct.”
“Your mama thinks of everything.”
It was her talent. One day, I wished to do half as well.
Before she could answer, the door opened. “I am searching for a divinely named duchess?”
I rolled my eyes at my brother. “I am here.”
“You could not even pretend it was not you of whom I spoke?” he questioned with a grin, walking into the room with Evander. I stood, opening my arms for him.
“Quite difficult when I am the only duchess in the room.” Ilaughed. “Hello, brother. I missed you.”
“And I you, though it has not been so long. Nevertheless, I had to be sure that this one was treating you as he swore he would.” My eyes glanced to Evander for a moment, but quickly I shifted my gaze away.
“I am perfectly well, thank you. Though I wonder, did you come to inspect me or get your darling wife back to Belclere Castle?” I teased.
He chuckled and kissed the side of my cheek. “Both. As well as to bring the young Lady Verity back home before she and Hathor came to blows.”
“What?” I asked, looking to Verity.
“I know not of what he speaks. Hathor and I are quite good friends now, I like her greatly. We simply hold different views,” Verity replied innocently.
“What now?” I asked Damon.
He shook his head tiredly as he stood beside his wife. “So much, sister, so much. Where to begin? The gossip of her desire to marry a duke when there is a lack of available dukes, thus annihilating her plans to marry before the end of this season.”
“She is still on that?”
We were halfway through the season. Most weddings would occur within the next few weeks and so there would have needed to be an attachment by now.
“With deep dedication.” Silva laughed. “Abena is enjoying teasing her with how many days are left in the season.”
I sighed. It was good to know that nothing there had changed, at least.
“Papa, do you like it!” Emeline said, drawing my attention to her as she showed off the horrid doll I had created. “Her Grace made it for me.”
Evander knelt before her, looking it over. “It is very well done.”
“Liar,” Damon muttered, causing Silva to smack him quickly. He merely shrugged. “My sister is known for a great many things but needlework is not one of them.”
“It is much better than I could manage. You must keep it well,” Evander said to her, and she nodded.
“Papa, are you still mad?”
