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Once again, he was struck by the unfairness of it all. All Anna had done was try to secure an advantageous marriage, for her own sake and the sake of her family. Which, mind you, was what every ambitious Society mama and papa strove to do every Season.

However, Anna’s efforts had been met with scrutiny and plenty of scorn. There were plenty of articles about the first attempt at marriage and the shocking second ceremony—the one that wasactually successful—and Theo had seen it as his duty to read them all.

What a lot of tripe the tonenjoyed reading. The facts were all the same, peppered with lurid observations and half-baked theories, but there was one thing in common with each article.

Anna was wholly blamed for all that had happened.

Where was the fairness? The poor girl had only tried to get married.

“Hopefully, this ball will quash the rumors about Her Grace and her previous, unfortunate betrothal,” he said aloud, not bothering to unearth any of his earlier train of thought.

Briggs only nodded, grasping the situation at once. He really was worth his weight in gold.

“I shouldn’t count on it, Your Grace. Society loves a broken match, and a jilted bride is even better. Her Grace may wish to learn to weather storms, and quickly. For her own good, naturally. Gossip can be cruel.”

“Very true, Briggs, very true. What’s the general thought about the new Duchess, then, in the lower halls?”

Briggs considered this for a moment, gathering his thoughts.

Theodore waited patiently. He’d long since learned that servants were the most invaluable source of gossip. Of course, they wouldn’t tellhimthe truth, but the placid and well-liked Briggs could get information out of just about anybody.

“She is already a great favorite here, Your Grace,” Briggs said, eventually. “She is a remarkably kind lady, and her efforts with Lady Katherine are much appreciated. We give no credence to gossip about our Duke and Duchess, Your Grace.”

“Kind of you, Briggs. What about further afield? What’s the word on the streets?”

Briggs hesitated again. “I believe people tend to think that a woman jilted at the altar has only herself to blame. This is untrue, of course, but the sentiment is there nonetheless.”

Theodore bit back a curse, straightening his cravat. “Well, that’s disappointing. Do keep me updated, won’t you? The Duchess’s reputation is now my concern.”

“And therefore of concern to us all, Your Grace,” Briggs said, executing a neat bow.

From anybody else, Theo would have suspected toadying. Briggs, however, was a different breed of man. He came off as mild-mannered, and he was, but he was also honest and forthright to a fault.

Theodore had learned that a year or two ago, when he’d attempted to wear a rather shocking pink waistcoat to a party. He had asked Briggs what he thought, and his valet had, without ado, told him exactly that.

Needless to say, the waistcoat was not worn.

Honesty was, in Theodore’s opinion, a rare quality, and he treasured Briggs all the more for it.

He was about to ask another question when a tentative knock on the door interrupted him.

Frowning, Briggs went to the door, his disapproving expression firmly on. Theodore watched that expression drop when the man opened the door.

“Your Grace,” Briggs said at once, glancing over his shoulder at Theodore.

Theo gestured that his wife should be let in, and Briggs stepped back.

Anna, to Theodore’s chagrin, was not ready for the ball. He happened to know that a particularly delightful gold-and-silver gown, brocaded, expensively laced, and most fashionable had been laid out for her to wear, along with the accompanying jewelry, and he knew quite well that it would take her a while to get into it.

“Not ready yet, my dear?” Theodore asked, turning back to the mirror. “You can go, Briggs.”

The valet bowed and crept off on velvet feet, shutting the door softly behind him. Theodore was left alone with his wife.

Anna seemed to be working herself up to something. Theodore quirked an eyebrow at his reflection in the mirror.

“Ahh. Can I interpret this interesting silence as a readiness to finallybeg, my dear?”

Anna’s face reddened. “No, you may not! That’s not what I’m here for. Do you really think I’d come charging into your room shortly before a ball and demand that you take me right here and then?”