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“That sort of thinking might hurt you.”
“There is also another mystery that I am hoping you will help me unravel. I saw—”
Bentley cleared his throat in the doorway before announcing, “The Dowager Duchess of Seaton for you, Your Gr—”
The dowager's cane appeared in the doorway before Bentley could complete his announcement and he immediately stepped out of the way. Jenny and Daphne rose to greet her.
“I did not expect to find the Down girl here,” she remarked with all the haughtiness in the world when Daphne curtsied to her.
“Jenny, I just remembered that I have to go to that bookshop,” she said, picking up her reticule.
“Allow me to walk you to the door.” Jenny looped her arm through hers. “I know that is just an excuse you made up to leave,” she added when they reached the front door.
“The dowager cannot hide her disdain and I cannot stand it,” she said quietly. “I shall call again, Jenny, when she isnotaround.”
Jenny hugged her, annoyed at the dowager for her actions.
“I do not like that girl calling upon you so frequently. She is not the sort of friend a duchess should have,” the dowager said as soon as Jenny returned to the room. Observing the surprised look on Jenny’s face, she added, “I am always watching you.”
The woman appeared to believe her marriage had been consummated because she had returned to her house before Jenny had come down the day after her wedding. “If you are constantly watching, then you should know that this is her second visit since the wedding.” Jenny smoothed her skirt before sitting down.
“One is tolerable,” the dowager retorted, “two is unacceptable.”
“If you were the mistress of this house then perhaps you would have control over her visits.” Jenny did not care about according the woman any respect at the moment.
“I am not here to argue about your friend.” She changed the course of the conversation.
“Then pray, what are you here for?”
“I have been receiving unfavorable reports about you and Nicholas.”
Jenny sucked in her breath in an attempt to keep the emotions she had kept suppressed all week from rising. “I see privacy is not as valuable as I thought.”
“You will have no privacy until I have an heir. After the consummation of your marriage, he has avoided both youandyour chamber.”
Do you think that does not haunt me at every single moment of every single day?
“We have, at least, consummated the marriage and perhaps with some luck—”
“I do not believe in luck, girl.” Her cane came down hard on the carpeted floor. “I believe in taking matters into my own hands.” She sniffed. “I am here to help you.”
Jenny regarded her dubiously. She was the last woman Jenny would trust to help her. Even her grandson did not trust her. “How do you plan to help me?”
“I wish for you to win your husband over.”
“What part of my soul do I have to sell for it?” Jenny asked, eyeing the woman’s smug face.
“One of the things I really like about you is your cleverness.”
“Yes, I seem to recall it is one of the reasons you chose me for Nicholas.”
“You will trust my judgment and follow my instructions without asking questions. That is the price.” She stood. “Are we agreed?”
“It depends on what it is. I am not one to do things blindly.” Jenny followed her in standing.
“Then you are not interested.” She headed for the door.
Jenny mulled over her offer and given she had no better alternative at the moment, she said. “Very well. I agree.”
What is the worst that could happen?
