“You missed Simon’s soiree a week ago.”
Kay made a face. “Oh, that.”
“I’m relieved to see you’re feeling better now.” Delia turned to look at her. “No fever, I take it? No chills?”
The twinkle in Delia’s eye told Kay that her friend was not unaware of Magdelene’s tendency to exaggerate. “Nothing like that. It was… just a headache.”
“Was it?” Delia grinned, giving her a knowing look. “I thought you might have been attempting to avoid a certain person we both know.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” she grumbled, remembering Devlin’s accusations. “Why would I care? I’m not a timid little rabbit, you know,” she added with some heat, “bolting away at the sight of him.”
“No need to be spiky! I was only teasing.”
Deciding it was best to change the subject, she glanced again at her sister, who was now talking nineteen to the dozen with a slim blond girl of about the same age. “Jo seems to have found a friend in your future sister-in-law.”
“Indeed. They took an immediate liking to each other when they met at the soiree last week, and Cassandra tells me they intend to brave the season together. They remind me of us.”
“They do, rather,” Kay agreed, smiling. “Without you, I’m not sure I could have endured my first season.”
Delia’s sideways glance was tinged with understanding. “I remember, darling.”
“As for Jo and Cassandra, they’ve been joined at the hip all week, and I’m so glad. Jo hasn’t had much opportunity to make friends since leaving school.”
“No worries about that anymore, from what I can see. All our efforts on her behalf are paying off. I wish we could have roped in my cousin Idina to help more, but she’s not doing the season, and even if she were, she has Rothmere’s wishes to consider—”
“Say no more,” Kay cut in, well aware that if anyone understood the need for a woman to placate the men in her life, it was she. “Idina has done what she can. It’s not her fault her husband disapproves of me.”
“We don’t call him Percy Proper for nothing.”
Kay laughed at the nickname Delia had bestowed on her cousin’s husband years ago. “He is rather a snob, isn’t he? But I’m so glad Idina is coming to my wedding anyway.”
“Of course she’s coming, and so are my other cousins, Nan, Audrey, and Pen. We’re all coming to support you. Which reminds me… you’re coming to my house party, I hope?”
“House party?” Kay echoed in surprise.
“Oh, that’s right! I haven’t had the chance to tell you. I’m having a house party to replace Max’s usual Whitsuntide affair. You know he always does a big house party at Idyll Hour every Whitsun?”
Kay nodded. “It makes a nice respite from the frantic pace of the season, I’ve always thought.”
“I’m glad you feel that way, because you’re coming this year.”
“But isn’t it a family affair?”
“Mostly, but we always have a few of the county families and sometimes one or two close friends of the family, too.”
“I’m flattered the duke puts me in that category, but I wouldn’t have thought the duchess would want a big house party at this stage.”
“She doesn’t, believe me. That’s why they aren’t doing the house party this year. I am.”
Kay felt compelled to point out the obvious. “But, Delia,” she said, laughing, “you don’t have a house.”
Delia’s dark blue eyes opened wide. “When have you ever known pesky little details like that to stop me?” she countered.
“Never,” Kay admitted.
“Just so. I’m making the arrangements, but Simon will be officially hosting the party. It will be at Ivywild, his estate in Berkshire, which will be far easier to manage, since it’s so close to London.”
“He’s willing to do that, even though he hasn’t married into the family yet?”
