Page 10

“Cordelia,” Irene scolded, “These rumors have gone on for too long. Perhaps you have no mind for them whispering about a river of men coming and leaving the estate, but it is no longer as simple as that.”

“What do you mean?”

“You have failed to show your face in the Season’s events,” Irene explained, “And it has left the Ton to imagine one catastrophic conclusion: the Duke has murdered you!”

Cordelia froze. “You aren’t serious.”

“Do I look to be having a joke, Cordelia?”

“Well,” she mused, “That has to be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Even from the Ton!Murdered?”

Irene shook her head. “Can you outrightly blame them?”

“I suppose not,” she replied. “But they do love to exaggerate. It boggles me how anyone takes them seriously!”

“I insist you make an appearance this Season.”

Cordelia laughed. “I do not see that in my future, Irene.”

She rose from her seat abruptly, forcing the terrier to leap off of her lap. “You must consider the future ramifications of your actions. What happens when you do, in fact, bear children? When you crave society but are found to be unaccepted?”

“I cannot have children without a husband.”

“Youhavea husband, Cordelia!”

She sighed, leaning back against her seat once more. “I appreciate your caring, Irene, but you know I have never regarded the Ton highly enough to respect their rumors. Besides, my husband is not a deaf man. If you are aware of these rumors, I can only assume he is just as knowledgeable of them.”

“What are you getting at?”

Cordelia looked up at her. “The Duke obviously does not care for the rumors. Why should I?”

“Like I said,” Irene murmured, “Duncan and I still feel the effect of your actions, Cordelia. We bare your family name. When we attend the Season in London, the amount of Lords and Ladies imploring us about your actions is absurd.”

“They are my actions,” she said.

Irene sighed. “You have never understood.”

“Do not patronize me, Irene,” Cordelia snapped. “You have no idea what my life has been like. To live in an estate like this one without a soul by my side has left me no choice but to fill my time!”

“Then why can’t you spend it in society?”

Cordelia looked away. “That is what you have never understood about me, dear sister. The society you know has accepted every bit of you. I never received the same kindness as you.”

“It does not have to be that way.”

“I agree,” Cordelia said. “They must change.”

“Cordelia -”

The sound of the back door opening once more cut Irene’s words short. She raised her face towards the estate as the sound of quick steps against the ground drew closer. Cordelia sat up to see Hunters, the butler, standing beside their lounging chairs.

“Good afternoon, Hunters,” Cordelia greeted. “Have you met my sister?”

Hunters bowed his head towards Irene. “Excuse my interruption, your Grace.”

“What is it? Have more workers arrived for the next project?”

“I’m afraid not quite,” he said. “But rather the Duke, your husband, has returned.”