Page 43 of Sincerely, the Duke
Suddenly Edwina was pounced upon by her sisters, nearly knocking her over as they squealed with delight and hugged her tightly. Her champagne spilled down the front of her dress and her headpiece almost slipped off her hair. Eileen, Eleonora, and her aunt were oblivious to interrupting a dowager duchess in the middle of a sentenceand showered Edwina with kisses and laughter as if they were seven-year-old girls again.
Among the giggles, Edwina heard a sudden and sharp intake of breath. She cut her eyes to the dowager, whose brows had risen high on her forehead in an arch of shock. Her champagne glass was shaking so much Edwina felt it was about to hit the floor. Edwina quickly calmed her sisters’ jubilant greeting.
“I can’t believe all of you have red hair and green eyes,” the dowager said, keeping her tone soft, even though her eyes were wide while looking from one triplet to the other.
Edwina knew she needed to get the introductions over with in a hurry. Thankfully, the duke stepped in and handled them while she continued to take in the fact that she was now truly married. The duke’s mother continued her assessment of Edwina’s family.
“I’m startled by how much the three of you look alike when you stand so close together.”
“Do you think so?” Edwina asked innocently, purposefully not looking at the duke while she sipped from her glass to cover her concern of the dowager’s question.
The dowager cleared her throat, seeming a little taken aback by Edwina’s question. “Yes.” She lifted her chin as if to give strength to her answer. “Quite certain. Three in a family with such colorings isn’t even referenced in the book I’m reading about strange marvels.”
“Perhaps that’s because this isn’t one, Maman.”
Edwina glanced at the duke. She gave him an appreciative smile, and then turned to the dowager in the manner he’d suggested. “We’ve often had people mention that we’re remarkable,” Edwina answered lightheartedly.
Besides, as they had done all their lives, they did theirbest to look differently. While Edwina wore pale ivory and a wide headpiece covering most of her hair, Eileen had on a pale, pink-colored gown with a small gold crown in her hair, and Eleonora dressed in a dark copper color with a trio of pheasant feathers delicately woven into a band at the top of her head. The difference helped disguise their similarities, but there was nothing to be done about their vibrant green eyes.
“I believe it’s true, Your Grace,” Eileen said, joining the conversation with ease, tenaciously looking from the duke to his mother, no doubt hoping one of them would challenge her. “Some sisters don’t favor at all. Not even the same color of hair and nowhere near the same height or size. You would think they were from entirely different families with no relation whatsoever. With others, like us, you can hardly tell one from the other.” Eileen finished with a satisfied smile.
“I suppose you are right,” the dowager answered with a fair amount of conviction in her voice and expression. “Tell me, are you enjoying your stay in London?”
“Yes,” Aunt Pauline added to the conversation. “She spent all night charting the few stars she could see and then slept all day.”
Eileen twisted her face into a frown.
“Oh.” Her Grace’s eyes widened again. “That sounds strange.” She glanced at her son with an expression that seemed to sayDid you hear that?She then cleared her throat and added, “Strangely lovely.”
“She uses our father’s old telescope to look at the heavens,” Edwina explained, fearful the conversation might get out of hand. “I told her we are due a clear night soon.”
“Much like gentlemen who spend all night playing cards and then sleep long after the sun comes up, Maman,”the duke added with a smile, before seeming to search the room for someone.
“Actually, I study the heavens,” Eileen clarified with a pert lift of her shoulders.
“Oh, you study them.” The dowager looked at her son and gave him a knowing smile. “Yes, I understand now. I’m so glad you told me. Many people believe in reading the moon, stars, and planets to tell their future and all manner of other things. I’ve read about when they are aligned on specific days of the year or the date of your birth you can expect certain things to happen.”
“That is not what or why I study the heavens, Your Grace,” Eileen said with an arrogant tilt to her chin but thankfully her tone remained polite.
“Excuse me, Maman,” the duke said. “I believe Palmer is looking this way. Perhaps he needs a word with you.”
“Of course.” The duke’s mother turned to Edwina and gave her an elegant smile. “I’ll return shortly and help introduce you and your family to everyone. That way you’ll have plenty of people to talk to at the ball tomorrow night.”
“Ball?” Eileen questioned as the duchess left with the butler. “Certainly not me. I won’t be attending,” she assured Edwina with an expression that could leave no doubt she meant what she said. “We’ve hardly had time to take a deep breath since we received Edwina’s letter. I’m much too weary from the hectic schedule of getting Edwina ready for the wedding to attend a ball anytime soon.”
“I’m afraid I won’t be joining the festivities either.” A wistful light shone in Eleonora’s eyes as she looked around the crowded, teeming room. “I’m still in mourning and couldn’t possibly join another joyous occasion like this one. It wouldn’t be right.”
“What’s this?” A troubled frown appeared on Rick’s forehead.
“Mr. Climperwell passed away over a year ago,” Edwina said to help cover the silence that was stretching.
She could tell the duke couldn’t see at all why such a young and lovely lady would be in mourning past a year. Quite frankly, Edwina couldn’t either. She had told the duke it would be difficult to get them to agree to participate in Society balls. Perhaps now he would believe her.
“It’s not only that, Your Grace,” Edwina felt compelled to add. “Viscount Quintingham didn’t secure invitations or tickets for them to attend any of the parties or balls, so it would really be impossible.”
“I am responsible for them now,” he said with quiet assurance, keeping his gaze only on Edwina. “I’ll get the invitations. You get them ready.” He looked at her sisters with his frown still in place. “I do understand neither of you are ready for dancing or enjoying the celebrations of a grand ball, but you do have to attend to assist your sister at her entrance into Society. She’ll be more comfortable with a large crowd if you are there.”
“She will have you and Auntie with her,” Eileen reminded him.
