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“Your Grace. Mother. I merely extolled Richard’s character.”
Mrs. Carmichael’s frown eased.
“What a good brother you are.” She turned to the Dowager as the two halted before Ellie and Mr. Carmichael. “I believe Richard is finally ready to settle down and become a responsible head of this family.”
The Dowager studied Ellie through narrowed eyes.
“Unless the trait Mr. Carmichael extolled had something to do with his brother’s stallion like prowess, you oughtn’t be blushing that way, Your Grace.”
Mrs. Carmichael gasped.
“Really, what a thing to say.”
Mr. Carmichael coughed, bringing a gloved fist up to cover his mouth, but from her vantage point at his side, Ellie could see he covered a smile.
The Dowager harrumphed.
“Come, Your Grace, I’ve more people for you to meet.”
She pivoted and went back the way she and Mrs. Carmichael had come.
Ellie barely caught back a curtsey, remembering instead to simply offer a regal nod.
“It was a pleasure to meet you both.”
She clutched her skirt, lifting the hem a fraction off the ground so she wouldn’t trip as she hurried after the Dowager.
When she caught up to the older woman, about halfway back to the largest throng of guests, the Dowager rounded on her, hissing, “What were you thinking, girl?”
Ellie released her skirt. She scrubbed suddenly damp palms against the rich fabric.
“I didn’t do anything wrong. A married woman may speak with an acquaintance in full view of the world, certainly. Even an unmarried one might.”
“A married Duchess may not speak alone with a man while gazing up at him like a love addled girl, her cheeks red as apples.”
Ellie had not been love struck, but doubting the Dowager cared, she only muttered, “Surely no one watched.”
“Everyone watched. This will cause talk. You aren’t to speak with that gentleman again.”
The Dowager’s tone stung.
“I thought the advantage of this guise was that I may learn about gentlemen without being courted.”
“And the advantage to me is that you convince the world my son married well and that his new wife and I are fast friends.” She leaned close, blue eyes hard. “Your behaviour thus far accomplishes neither.”
Ellie plastered on a smile. Through gritted teeth, she said, “Then let us go and make a fresh impression.”
“Certainly we’ll endeavour to.” The Dowager’s gaze swept over her. “Chin up. Shoulders back. Lips closed. Smile less broadly. You aren’t happy, merely amused. By what, is for them to ponder. That’s better. Now, let us go and meet more of my acquaintances, and this time, attempt decorum.”
At the Dowager’s side, Ellie wound her way back into the throng of guests. She would do better, less to please the Duchess than to be allowed to continue her outings and their charade. Not that she wished for Lizzy May to remain ill, but her sister didn’t seem too terribly unwell, and after meeting Mr. Carmichael, Ellie wasn’t finished with playing the Duchess yet. She only hoped the Dowager hadn’t noticed that, even though Ellie had obeyed her other orders, she hadn’t actually agreed not to speak to Mr. Samuel Carmichael again.
Chapter Six
Anticipation filled Samuel as he and his mother inched nearer the theatre, their carriage hardly moving in the line of attendees. Samuel very much enjoyed the theatre, especially Shakespeare’s works, but his eagerness that evening didn’t stem from enthusiasm for the upcoming performance. The final opening night of the Season, a who’s who of attendees would be present. That must include the Duchess of Aspen, who all knew loved to read and therefore must enjoy seeing those works acted out upon the stage. Samuel had been so busy warning her off Richard, he’d missed his chance to talk to her about his idea for a public lending library.
It was very important that he speak with her, to bring up his cause. He anticipated the look of comprehension, and then enthusiasm, which would overtake those lovely grey eyes of hers.
“You’re exceedingly cheerful this evening,” his mother observed.
