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He picked her up in his arms. “And you must accept the Duke that comes with it.” He tugged at her earlobe with his teeth, sending ripples of desire through her. He carried her to the bed, covering her body with his, whispering “Thank you” as he took her lips in a tender kiss.
* * *
The following morning, Edwina commenced preparations for the ball with Mrs. Edlund, who seemed to have anticipated the event and was full of suggestions. She was discussing the menu with the housekeeper and the cook when her sister-in-law walked into the morning room.
The cook and housekeeper immediately rose to their feet upon her entry. The customary morning greetings were exchanged, and after she had seated herself,they retook theirs.
"Oh, do not mind me,” she waved a hand, “carry on with your business." Despite what she had said, Edwina felt her gaze shadowing her every move.
Elaine did not like her, she thought. Perhaps she thought her unworthy of her brother or the title. Edwina did not care about being worthy of the title, but she cared very much about being worthy of Albert. Whatever differences they had, she hoped they would be able to move beyond them and learn to appreciate each other. After all, they were sisters now.
"As for the toppings for the canapé, Your Grace," the Cook, Monsieur Dumont said, calling her attention back to him, "might I suggest salmon with cream?"
"Excellent," Edwina agreed. "We could also have the same topping on potato cakes. What do you think?"
"I have never tried it, but it should make for a… promising combination, Your Grace," he responded slowly.
"It is a combination I discovered by accident,” she explained, deciding to keep the details of that story to herself. Perhaps she would share it with Albert sometime. She had been two-and-ten at the time and snuck to the kitchen. The Mercer Cook had just made some potato cakes, and she took one, combining it with the salmon and cream he had set aside for a different purpose. Since then, it had become an appetizer she greatly enjoyed, and it held a special place in her heart. It was one of the few things that always brought a smile to her face.
"The canapé's base is traditionally bread, Your Grace, but I suppose we could experiment," Dumont seemed skeptical, but he agreed, nevertheless.
"Do you mean you are taking out the bread completely?" Elaine suddenly asked.
"Only in some of the canapés," Edwina replied. "It tastes wonderful."
"It would hardly qualify as a canapé then," she stated, her cool gaze burrowing through Edwina's.
"Some will retain the bread, Your Highness," Mrs. Edlund reassured her.
She seemed to consider this for a while before she said, "Well, if you insist then who am I to object. This is not the Kremlin, after all. But I would like a peas and prawns topping instead of the salmon and cream."
"I beg your pardon?" Edwina bristled. This washerball. She would appreciate Elaine’s suggestions, but not like this; not when she was making changes. "Er… peas and prawns, Your Highness?" Dumont asked, surprised.
"Yes," Elaine responded with an authoritative smile.
"Peas and prawns are… good, Your Highness," Dumont said tentatively before he turned to Edwina, waiting for her judgment. Elaine’s suggestion, which was more a demand than a suggestion, had the man conflicted.
Edwina understood why his loyalties would be torn. Elaine was his former mistress, however young she might have been then, while Edwina was now the Duchess. He would wish to please them both without displeasing anyone. Edwina believed Elaine purposefully did it, although to what end, she was uncertain.
"We could have that, too," Edwina said to keep the peace, even though she was not fond of peas.
"Another topping could be—”
"Pea and mint," Elaine interjected.Now, this is starting to become ridiculous, Edwina thought irritably. The cook and housekeeper exchanged nervous glances.
"I beg your pardon, Your Highness," Edwina began calmly, "but I believe variety is more important than our personal preferences here. As much as I appreciate the suggestions, we shall haveonesort pea topping for an evening." Her tone was assertive as she concluded, and she braced herself for the argument that was bound to come.
"Suit yourself," Elaine said, a sly smile tugging at the corner of her lips. As she stood, Edwina could have sworn she looked impressed, but she did not have time to truly ascertain the meaning in her expression before she left the room.
They continued planning the ball menu after she had left, and Mrs. Edlund went on to suggest peaches and cheese as another combination for the canapé toppings, to which both Edwina and Francois heartily agreed.
After concluding, Edwina smiled, feeling satisfied with the menu. She stood to leave but paused at the door, feeling daring and mischievous. "Monsieur Dumont," she called, "we shall have the peas and prawns toppings,andthe peas and mint."
Dumont blinked. “Of course, Your Grace.” Edwina grinned as she left the room. If it was peas her sister-in-law wanted, then peas she shall have.
She decided to stop by one of the salons to retrieve the accounts book she had forgotten there yesterday after her morning meeting with the housekeeper. She would need to review it before tomorrow.
When she entered the room, she expected to find it empty as it usually was, but she walked in on a tryst between none other than Roxanne and a gentleman she recognized as the Earl of Twombley.
