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The dowager’s new hair color had taken thetonby storm and nearly everyone had something to say about it. Those with negative opinions only spoke in her absence but Jenny had reason to believe the dowager was aware of their opinion. She had ears everywhere, it would seem.
"I shall have the portrait done here at Seaton Mansion.”
"With whose permission?" Nicholas asked, looking at Jenny. “Did you give her leave to have it here?”
"All Seaton portraits have been done here. Why should this one be different?" the dowager said without waiting for Jenny to answer.
"I don't know. Probably because you had several done here already."
"I shall have another one then. And it is time you two commissioned one before the Duchess begins to grow." Her gaze swept over them meaningfully before she added, "I would stay for dinner, but I have somewhere else to be."
"You shouldn't keep them waiting,” Nicholas encouraged.
She sent a glare his way and a knowing look in Jenny’s. “Good day.” And with that, she left them alone in the room.
“She was not talking to you about commissioning a portrait, was she?” Nicholas asked, removing a watch from his waistcoat pocket to examine it.
“I think you already know what she was here for,” Jenny replied, brushing past him to leave the gallery. He followed her.
“Ernest is right. Sending her off to Northumberland will ensure we live the rest of our lives peacefully.”
She glanced at him over her shoulder. “You are not seriously considering it, are you?”
“I am.” He looked like he meant what he had said. They saw Bentley walking down the hall toward them with a small silver tray that contained a white square. He stopped in front of Jenny and bowed.
“A message for you, my lady.” She picked up the note and opened it immediately, not bothering to ask from whom it was. Nicholas’s name on the first line told her it was not meant for her and she passed it to him without reading the rest, respecting his privacy.
“There appears to have been a mistake, Bentley. The message is for the duke.”
Bentley looked apologetic. “Forgive me, Your Grace. The messenger asked me to give it to the duchess.”
She smiled at him before turning to Nicholas. He was frowning. “Something is not right,” he said.
“What is it?”
“It’s from Ernest. He is asking me to meet him at White’s immediately.”
“He was here not long ago. I hope everything is all right.”
“So do I.” He strode down the hall, paper in hand.
