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“And a dubious source.”
“You’re certain you never heard of this cousin?”
“Nothing. I’ve listed all the relatives I can recall.”
“Well, we will manage it together.” She smiled at him.
“And stay long enough to get in some hunting perhaps,” the duke added hopefully.
“Certainly.” Cecelia looked up toward the coachman’s seat. “I wonder if Merlin hunts.”
A small groan escaped the duke.
“I must return home soon,” Tamara said at the breakfast table the following morning, as if the Terefords’ farewells had inspired her. “It’s several days’ journey. Henry will be back from his friend’s house in two weeks, and the harvest is a busy time on the land.”
“I am so glad you came to see us,” Sarah replied.
“Yes,” said Kenver.
Tapping her fingernails on the tabletop in a staccato rhythm, Tamara gave a distracted nod. “Our parents must have heard that I am here,” she said to him.
This was likely. Elys was in regular touch with the staff at Poldene, and she would have passed along such juicy news. One of the upper servants would have thought it their duty to inform Lady Trestan.
Tamara slapped the board, making Sarah jump. “They are ignoring my presence,” Kenver’s sister said. “As they have ignored my existence these last ten years. It is outrageous.”
There could be no argument about that, Kenver thought, with his usual brush of guilt at having done nothing himself.
Closing her hand into a fist, Tamara bared her teeth. “I shall go and see them. And tell them exactly what I think of their behavior.”
That would be an epic brangle. “I doubt you’ll change anything,” said Kenver.
“I’m sure I won’t. But I will have the satisfaction of stating my opinion once and for all.” She looked at him, and a speculative gleam appeared her hazel eyes. “You should come with me.”
Kenver sat back in his chair.
“We will present a united front,” said his sister, nodding. “Ifallof their offspring disapprove, they must see that they are…misguided.”
“I don’t think they…”
“And while I am here, I should set things right for you.” Her smile was almost feral. “Yes. That would be even better.”
“I’ll take care of that myself,” Kenver replied, not liking the direction this conversation was taking.
“You should not be relegated to this.” Tamara gestured at the room. “You have a rightful place at Poldene. You must reclaim it.”
Something in her expression reminded Kenver of his mother.
“We are happy here,” said Sarah.
“Playing house.” Tamara brushed this aside.
Her tone was very like Mama’s dismissive inattention, Kenver thought. The resemblance between the two seemed stronger in that moment, and he remembered how similar they looked in the portrait in Poldene’s gallery.
“No proper staff,” Tamara muttered. “The barest minimum of everything.”
“You can leave this to me,” he said more strongly.
“We will shame them into increasing your allowance,” Tamara continued with rising enthusiasm. And still not listening. “Or the whole neighborhood will hear of Papa’s cheese-paring ways.”
