Chapter Six
Tia marched up the stairs, anger sizzling through her.
Lord Merriman had ruined her good mood, which had begun after she had finished practicing the pianoforte this morning.
She’d left the music room and found Val and Eden had come to town much earlier than expected.
Naturally, William accompanied them, and Tia had gone directly to the nursery to see her nephew.
Eden was there and handed William over, allowing Tia to rock the babe to sleep.
They had gone to the drawing room, where Val and Mama sat talking.
Eden explained how she was feeling more and more like her old self, and Val had suggested they come to town now instead of waiting until next week.
He urged his wife to see if Madame Laurent could squeeze her in for a dress fitting because he wanted Eden wearing something splendid for the opening ball of the Season.
Her former wardrobe as a governess was nowhere near adequate, and Val wanted his duchess to shine.
Fortunately, their local dressmaker in Willowshire had made up several day gowns for Eden, but she would need more than a few ballgowns since the Season went through spring and summer.
Mama had insisted the three of them leave at once to go to the modiste’s shop, saying that no matter which clients were present, Madame Laurent would make time to see a duchess.
Val had said he would have Con go with him to look at a horse he was interested in purchasing since the ladies would be busy.
Madame Laurent was swamped, but just as Mama had predicted, when a duchess came calling, everyone else was momentarily cast aside.
Discreetly, of course, but Eden went to the front of the line, all the same.
Once her measurements had been taken, Madame had said to trust her in both the design and materials which would be used to make up several ballgowns for Eden.
The modiste even told them she had hired another seamstress, and all of the Duchess of Millbrooke’s gowns would go to her—and be completed before anyone else’s gowns were even begun.
They had returned home after that, and Eden had come to Tia’s bedchamber, eager to see the gowns her sister-in-law would be wearing to the Season.
Tia proudly showed off the first night’s creation, one which flattered her figure and coloring.
Eden was tired after journeying to town and then being fitted, so she had gone to nap, while Mama and Tia had made plans to go to Lady Merriman’s for tea.
Unfortunately, Mama’s gown had caught on something as she descended the stairs from their carriage, creating a large tear in it.
Refusing to go inside the townhouse because of the rip, Mama had encouraged Tia to attend tea, saying she would send the carriage back for her once the coachman had dropped her at home. If her lady’s maid could not repair the gown, then Mama said she would give it away.
Tia was only glad Mama had not been the one to be present in the foyer just now.
If she had heard how Lord Merriman had refused to come to tea, she would have turned around and left.
No one insulted a duchess in that manner.
She supposed she, too, should have left, only the carriage no longer waited for her.
Besides, she would not abandon Dilly. Here the poor girl thought her brother hung the moon, but he seemed like a typical, self-centered man of the ton to Tia.
Her own papa had been grumpy regarding social events, be it tea or a ball, and Tia thought Dilly should not have to suffer her friend’s absence because her brother was a clod.
The butler paused before the drawing room doors. “My apologies, my lady. His lordship is usually . . . most kind.”
Despite what this servant said, Tia believed what she had overheard was the real Lord Merriman, not the facade he put on for others in Polite Society to view.
And perhaps he was kind to his sister most of the time, but she had already decided after seeing him interact with Lady Dilly that she would not care to make his acquaintance.
She looked pointedly at the butler, her lips pressed together, and he realized she was not going to comment. Instead, he opened the door and announced her arrival.
“Thank you,” she said as she swept past him and into the drawing room, spying Lady Dilly and her mother rising from their seats. As she made her way toward them, she calmed herself, placing a gracious smile upon her face.
“Lady Merriman, Lady Dilly, it is so nice to see you again. I must apologize for Mama’s absence.”
Briefly, she told them about the torn gown and how Mama had returned home.
“I do not blame her, Lady Thermantia,” the countess said. “I would have felt awkward myself with my gown in such disrepair. I only hope it can be saved, especially if it is one Her Grace favors.”
She had no idea whether Mama liked the gown or not.
That was not the kind of relationship they had.
She and Mama did not talk about much of anything.
Mama usually gave Tia orders and expected them to be followed.
That was one of the reasons she did not wish to wed this Season—because Mama expected her to.
Tia had always had a bit of a rebellious streak, where Lia was much more compliant and unassuming.
“Have a seat, Lady Tia,” her friend urged.
She noticed Lady Merriman had called her by her given name, which is how Mama had introduced them at the dress shop.
That was a sticking point. While Ariadne had not minded the name given to her at birth, the other Worthington siblings had rebelled, creating diminutives out of their given names.
She determined she would be called Lady Tia this Season, and decided Lady Merriman would be the first place to start.
“My lady, I hope you would address me as Lady Tia, as your daughter does,” she said sweetly. “Papa and Mama gave me and my siblings very long names. We usually opt for a shorter version of them. My twin, Cornelia, goes by Lia.”
“Oh, Lia and Tia!” exclaimed Lady Dilly. “I quite like that.”
Lady Merriman frowned slightly. “While nicknames are all well and good for intimate occasions with only family members present, I believe your mama is right in insisting that you be addressed as Lady Thermantia, my dear. After all, my own darling daughter is Delilah, a simply beautiful name.”
“I like Dilly better, Mama. You know that.”
The countess frowned. “Dilly sounds like a silly creature,” she said sternly. “Simply because your brother could not pronounce your name when you were born does not mean you should continue to use it.”
“I like Dilly,” her friend said stubbornly. “I wish you would call me Dilly, Mama. As Hugo does.”
So Hugo was the brother’s Christian name. Tia had never met a Hugo. She thought the name brooding and arrogant, like the man himself.
“You will be Delilah entering Polite Society,” Lady Merriman insisted. “It is a lovely name and will win you far more respect from others than Dilly ever would.”
Not wishing to see the pair continue to argue, Tia said, “I do like the name Delilah. It is very polished. Even romantic.”
The countess frowned. “Romance has no place in a young lady’s life, especially not as the Season begins. You would do well to rid yourself of any romantic notions, Lady Thermantia, and simply allow your mama to help guide you in your search for a husband.”
The woman was grating on her nerves now.
Smiling sweetly, she said, “While Mama will certainly play a small role, it is my brother, the Duke of Millbrooke, who will determine which gentleman is suitable for me.” She did not have to share with this woman that Val would allow Tia to take her time in taking a husband, much less that Val wanted her to select her mate.
“Tell us about your brother,” the countess said.
Being careful to use his title and not speak informally, she said, “Millbrooke became the duke after we lost our father last year. His death occurred just before the Season began, and so we retreated to Kent to do our mourning in private. Millbrooke is wed and the father of a son.”
Lady Merriman looked pleased hearing that. “Then it sounds as if His Grace’s steady hand will help you immensely.”
Tia wasn’t about to tell this woman that Val had wed a governess.
True, Eden was the daughter of a viscount, but she thought some within Polite Society might judge Eden harshly because of her former occupation.
Val would make certain that the ton gave his wife the respect due a duchess. Of that, Tia was certain.
The rest of tea passed pleasantly. Lady Merriman only added to the conversation occasionally, allowing Dilly and Tia to get to know one another better. She thoroughly enjoyed Dilly’s company. Her new friend was quick-witted and seemed to be high-spirited.
When tea concluded, Tia rose. Taking Lady Merriman’s hand, she passed along her mother’s invitation.
“Since Mama was upset that she could not have tea with you today, she asked if I would invite you to dine with us tomorrow evening.”
It had actually surprised her when Mama mentioned dinner rather than tea, but she wanted to issue the invitation as intended. Then she recalled that Mama had said to include Lady Dilly’s brother.
Frowning, she added, “Naturally, Lord Merriman is also invited to accompany you.”
It seemed the countess had been hesitating, but now she brightened. “Yes. We would be delighted to join Their Graces for dinner tomorrow, my lady.”
“Mama said to come at seven. We will have a drink before dinner. Hopefully, you can stay a bit after dinner.” Looking to Dilly, she asked, “Do you play an instrument or sing?”
“I sing rather well. My brother is the one who plays the pianoforte beautifully, however. You must ask him to do so. Why, I will speak with him and see if he will accompany me while I sing.”
So, the grumpy lord played the pianoforte. Tia would be happy to let him have at the instrument. It would save her from having to play in front of company.
“Their Graces would enjoy it if the two of you would entertain us tomorrow evening,” she said graciously. “I must leave now.”
“Should our coachman escort you home?” Lady Merriman asked.
“No, that will not be necessary. Mama said she would send the carriage back. It should be waiting for me now. Thank you again for a lovely time, my lady.” To Lady Dilly, she said, “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening.”
“I will walk out with you,” Lady Dilly said.
As they left the drawing room and headed down the corridor, Tia said, “I overheard you and your brother discussing him coming to tea this afternoon.”
Lady Dilly stopped in her tracks. “I am mortified that you did so. I apologize.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. It was your brother who was behaving so rudely.”
“Hugo is never like that,” Lady Dilly said. “Frankly, I do not know what came over him. Usually, he is calm and never ruffled.”
She didn’t care. “You seem to put him on a pedestal. You must remember that he is an ordinary mortal, just as the rest of us are. Frankly, I thought it wrong of him to speak to you in such a manner.”
Lady Dilly took Tia’s hands in hers. “Please, do not judge Hugo harshly. He is a good man. He simply has . . . difficulties. I do not wish to speak of them.”
Tia didn’t care what difficulties the man had. He was no gentleman and did not deserve his sister’s devotion. A good brother like Val did, but not the earl.
“Pass along my mother’s dinner invitation to him. If he does not wish to accept it, please know that we are eager for you and your mother to come, even without his escort.”
“I will make certain he does come,” Lady Dilly said resolutely. “I want you to see the side of him that I see every day.”
She did not need to see the side which was obsequious when in polite company. She had already viewed the impatient man—and found him lacking.
They continued downstairs, and Lady Dilly embraced her in the foyer.
“Thank you for coming to tea today, Lady Tia. And for calling me Deliliah after Mama made her preferences known. I suppose Mama is right. I should reserve my nickname for those who are closest to me. That would be you and Hugo. If I find a man I am particularly interested in, I will allow him to address me as Lady Dilly.”
“Well, I expect everyone to call me Lady Tia,” she revealed. “I simply will not answer to Thermantia. My goodness, I think Thermantia sounds as old as Methuselah and twice as disagreeable.”
They both laughed, and Tia took her leave. The carriage awaited her outside, and she nodded to the coachman before allowing a footman to hand her up.
All the way home, she thought of her new friend and the fun they would have during this Season.
As for Lady Dilly’s brother, she would merely avoid him.
As she had told the disagreeable earl, she had no intention of wasting time in the presence of those who were negative and unpleasant.
Tia would enjoy every moment of the months ahead—and bring Lady Dilly along with her.