To Tame a Dangerous Lord (Courtship Wars)

Penelope’s expression was close to a sneer. “So we heard. We understand you were employed as a companion.”

“I was indeed.”

“At least it is a relief to discover you are not quite beyond the pale. We feared you would prove an utter embarrassment.” Penelope eyed Madeline’s fashionable round gown. “Grandmama led us to believe you had regrettable taste in attire. But that gown you are wearing is unexceptionable.”

“Lady Danvers has been advising me on purchasing my bride clothes,” Madeline said, persuaded that a little name-dropping would not hurt with her two judges.

Penelope ignored her mention of her noble neighbor. “You made a serious error challenging our grandmother. You have made an enemy of her.”

“It certainly was not my intent.”

“She means to cut you dead.”

“A fate worse than death,” Madeline murmured mostly under her breath.

Penelope’s gaze sharpened. “I don’t believe you comprehend what is in store for you. You will be shunned by society. You will not be received in any of the best homes. Tell me, have you received any cards of invitation since your marriage, other than those from your provincial neighbors?”

Madeline felt her hackles rising but schooled her features to blandness so as not to appear defensive. “I would hardly call the Countess of Danvers and the Duchess of Arden provincial,” she answered sweetly. “I am gratified to name both ladies as friends.”

Daphne broke in. “She has a point, Penny.”

“Hush, Daphne.” The elder sister turned her attention back to Madeline. “If you are garnering attention, it is because you are a novelty for people who want to view Haviland’s new countess.”

“Perhaps so,” she agreed. “But truthfully, it doesn’t concern me much. Moreover, Rayne has handled our correspondence thus far, so I am unfamiliar with what cards we may have received.”

Penelope’s sneer deepened. “I would not put it past Rayne to toss them away. He never has paid proper attention to correct manners.”

Madeline flashed a cool smile at her. “No, he was more concerned with lowbrow affairs such as ridding the world of a tyrant.”

Daphne was eyeing her with growing wonder. “You are as blunt and outspoken as Grandmama described you.”

Her smile turned wry. “I imagine Lady Haviland had stronger words than that to describe me.”

“Don’t you care at all that you have earned her wrath?” Daphne asked curiously.

Madeline sobered. “I care that my husband not suffer because of me. I never wanted to come between him and his family. But I cannot change my birth or breeding.” She slanted a glance at Penelope. “Just so you know, I received a genteel education, and I am aware of the correct way to use a knife and fork, among other things.”

Penelope responded to her provocation. “But can you host a dinner to honor a diplomat or give a ball for four hundred guests?”

“Not at present, but I am a quick study, and I have friends who are generous enough to teach me what I need to know.”

She didn’t point out that Rayne’s sisters should rightfully be helping her make her way through the treacherous waters of the ton.

“I think you might do for Rayne after all,” Daphne said slowly.

Madeline felt a measure of surprise. Perhaps Rayne’s younger sister was prepared to be a bit more forgiving than the elder. “Why do you say so?”

“Because you don’t back down from confrontation. Rayne is exactly that way, too, so you must be well-matched.” The smile Daphne offered her was full of charm with a hint of devilry. “Rayne was named by our father, after the Norse word, Raynor—did you know?”

“No, I didn’t know.”

“It means ‘warrior from the gods,’ actually. Papa fancied himself a Greek scholar, but in between his Greek phases, he studied the Norsemen.”

“Daphne, pray don’t let your tongue run on,” her sister commanded.

Daphne, however, refused to comply with the order. “Penny and I gave our children plain, old-fashioned English names, though. Hers are named Michael and Peter, mine are Francis and Henry.”

“That is quite enough, Daphne,” Penelope said more insistently.