Epilogue
Six Months Later
“You intend to sponsor your sister’s debut?” Christopher Montrose asked Rachel, who sat across from him in the drawing room. She had decided to visit her father’s home after several months, and instead of being pleased about it, the patriarch was watching her with a sour expression.
“Yes, that is what I have decided,” Rachel nodded.
Christopher’s eyes flitted to Simon, who was sitting right next to her.
Perhaps he expected her to say something about needing permission from her husband, as she had always been expected to seek out permission from Christopher for everything before she married.
“And you are completely fine with this?” Christopher directed his question at Simon now, who shrugged his shoulders casually.
“It is what the duchess has decided, and I see no reason to interfere in her wishes,” Simon replied, and Rachel could see frustration bubbling inside her father.
He could hardly stand the fact that Simon was not the typical controlling gentleman who policed their wives’ every move.
“But she would be using your resources, Your Grace,” Christopher tried to argue. “Surely you have some stakes in the matter.”
“What is mine is hers.” Simon raised an eyebrow, as if warning Christopher not to step over an invisible line. “The resources you speak of are for her to use freely.”
Christopher sank back in his chair, grumbling something under his breath. Letitia, who had been watching the conversation unfold, took this moment to speak up.
“I can see why Father would have an issue with this,” she said. “Any man of honor would.”
“How is it a matter of honor if I decide to sponsor Marina’s ball?
” Rachel questioned. She remembered the days when she would be hesitant around Letitia so as not to offend her, but now, she did not have to think twice before calling her out on her nonsense.
“If anything, it is the honorable thing to do, given my title.”
Letitia gave a condescending laugh. “Your payment would be rather unconventional.”
“Then perhaps there is a need to revise those conventions,” Rachel maintained, nonplussed.
“Normally, such responsibilities fall to an elder matron or the girl’s own family. Not… a newly installed duchess.” Christopher nodded predictably in agreement.
“No, I’d like to think I’m quite firmly installed by now.” She exchanged an amused look with Simon, who did not look too pleased with her family at the moment.
“Well, how noble of you then.” Letitia’s lips parted in a false smile. “Though one does wonder if the ton will find it… appropriate. You might tarnish her reputation at the outset and not give her a chance to begin with.”
Simon snapped then and opened his mouth to retort, but Rachel stopped him with a touch. Let me handle this, she thought.
“You are speaking,” she said, turning to Letitia, “to a duchess. I suggest you watch your tone carefully; otherwise, this fragile reputation business you speak of is just as applicable to you.”
Letitia clutched at her chest with her hand, surprised. Rachel had never really been harsh with her before, but she was wise enough not to argue back, even if she had something to say.
Rachel glanced over at Marina and decided that she was not yet done making her point.
“I do not ask permission; I merely announce intent. Marina will have a proper Season, and I will ensure she is received with the dignity she deserves. Anyone who challenges that will be making an enemy of me.” She made sure to glance at both Christopher and Letitia as she said these words.
Christopher straightened immediately, while Letitia looked a bit pale, but Simon smiled at his wife, looking rather gleeful.
Letitia, clearly unwilling to accept the sting of Rachel’s words, let out a short laugh and sat up straighter.
”Well,” she said, “Father sponsored my debut without needing any duchess’ help, and I believe it was quite the event of the Season.”
“Yes,” Rachel said evenly, “I remember.”
Letitia blinked. That wasn’t the response she had expected.
“I remember it very clearly,” Rachel continued, folding her hands in front of her, “Because that was also the year Father decided I wouldn’t be debuting at all. He said it was more practical to save the expense and invest it in yours instead.”
“Well, that was not…” Christopher mumbled, looking embarrassed. His gaze darted towards Simon and then back to the ground. “That was a while ago now.”
“Either way,” Rachel smiled sweetly, “you did look nice in that gown, Letitia. Even if it was at the cost of my own.”
Letitia’s jaw worked. For once, she had no witty retort. She looked to Christopher, but the old man simply continued to train his gaze on the floor, unable to offer her any support.
There had been a time when that memory would’ve burned her. But now, it no longer held any power over Rachel. Her life had given her more blessings than she could count, and there was no use thinking about the past.
“Well, you managed perfectly fine, didn’t you?” Letitia replied finally in her usually sarcastic manner, and then, as if remembering not to offend Rachel, she changed her tone to one that was sickly sweet. “No debut, and now you are married to a man of title.”
“Yes, I suppose it all worked out for me.” Rachel returned the faux-smile. She could tell that Letitia was seething that she was not the one in this position instead.
So, Rachel decided to have a little more fun with that. Rachel turned her gaze to Marina, who had remained silent for the most part.
“Marina’s debut will be grand,” Rachel announced. “The finest musicians, the best chefs, no expenses spared. A far cry from Father’s ‘practical budgeting’ days.”
”No expense spared?” Letitia’s brows lifted, curiosity peeking through the crack in her pride.
Rachel could see the question brewing behind her sister’s eyes. Letitia had always prided herself on having had the grandest debut among them, so Rachel could see a flicker of jealousy dancing behind the practiced smile.
“None,” Rachel said. “My husband insists.”
“As I should,” Simon said smoothly, sliding his hand over Rachel’s. “It’s only fitting after all. Marina is like a sister to me as well.”
Letitia frowned, clearly not hearing the answer that she had been expecting.
“You seem quite set on giving her the grandest of debuts.” Her tone changed. Rachel wondered if she had switched course when she realized it was no longer beneficial for her to be snarky. “Of course, I wouldn’t mind helping if needed. I did have quite the debut after all.”
“How generous of you, Letitia.” Rachel arched a brow, biting back a smile. She was trying to get the upper hand again—it could not be more blatant.
“I’m sure there must be some area where I can offer guidance,” Letitia pressed on, not wanting to waste the opportunity. “Perhaps with the guest list? Which families might be… worth inviting?”
“You seem very invested,” Rachel commented. “I have never seen you take such an interest in our affairs. Or rather, affairs that do not relate to anyone but yourself.”
“It’s not every day one’s younger sister is presented to society,” Letitia defended herself. “Besides, I’m certain I still have my contacts from my Season, though I imagine some of them have married now. Or moved up.”
“Or moved on,” Simon murmured under his breath. Rachel gave his hand a warning squeeze.
“It’s kind of you to offer, Letitia,” Rachel smiled, “but everything is already arranged. Marina’s wardrobe is being designed in London, the invitations are being engraved, and we’ve already booked the musicians. It’s all in motion now.”
Letitia’s jealousy was painted across her face, but she did not respond. Only pursed her lips.
“I’ve left nothing to chance,” Rachel added to really make her point known. “She will have every advantage. Still, thank you for the offer. It’s always nice to know we have support.”
What Rachel really wanted to say was We do not depend on you anymore. All those years where her own family had let her down repeatedly were finally behind her.
“Of course,” Letitia pursed her lips.
Rachel saw the shift, like she finally had the realization that the balance between them had changed permanently.
Letitia had once stood at the center of their father’s attention, and Rachel had been the afterthought. Now, Rachel was a duchess, and Letitia was watching from the sidelines.
Rachel was enjoying herself far more than she ought to. It was a bit cruel, perhaps, to taunt Letitia like this, but it felt deeply satisfying after years of enduring the same kind of treatment from her.
“And what about you, Letitia?” she asked sweetly. “Have you any news to share? Anyone special on the horizon?”
Letitia was clearly caught off guard. Her eyes darted toward Christopher, as if he might offer a cue or rescue her from the question entirely, but their father had long since checked out of the conversation.
“Oh, you know,” she said finally, “there are… possibilities. It’s early, of course. No need to speak of anything too soon.”
“What is the need for the suspense?” Rachel leaned forward. “You are amongst your sisters after all.”
“I do not wish to rush.” The smile faded from Letitia’s face. “I want to make the right match for myself.”
“Of course. That’s how I remember it—though if I recall, you were rather set on some lord for quite a while. Was it Lord Camden?”
“Lord Camden married a tradesman’s daughter,” Letitia sniffed, her cheeks coloring. “I doubt that I missed out.”
“Quite right,” Rachel said with mock solemnity. “Still, it must be difficult navigating prospects without a duchess to guide you.”
Simon coughed quietly into his hand, clearly hiding a laugh. Christopher cleared his throat, either to change the subject or to cut through the tension. Rachel wasn’t sure which, nor did she much care.
Marina looked between them with wide eyes, clearly unsure if she should intervene or pretend not to have noticed. Rachel decided to spare her.