Bridget huffed and shook her head. “What are the two of you doing out here alone?”
“We are not alone,” Margaret clarified. “My lady’s maid is on the path. We were taking a walk together and heard an almighty fuss in the bushes, and we knew who it was. We had to wade in here to ensure you did not come to blows.”
“And what might the two of you be doing out here alone?” Michael asked.
“Oh, wouldn’t you like to know?” Nicholas drawled.
Bridget shook her head. “We are doing nothing. I was out for a walk, and His Grace must have followed me here to irk me some more.”
Michael flashed her half a smile. “He does have a tendency to do that.”
“Whose side are you on, dear brother?” Nicholas asked.
“This is supposed to be a happy time for us all,” Margaret interjected. She looked like she might start to cry. “I only want for everyone to get along.”
“Oh, my dear,” Bridget said, placing a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “We are getting along. It wasn’t really an argument. It really was a debate.”
“No, it wasn’t,” Margaret moaned. “I heard the two of you.”
“No, really,” Bridget assured her. “We bumped into each other and started talking. His Grace has never heard of Fanny Burney or Mary Wollstonecraft, and they are two of my favorite writers. Well, I had to explain who they were, and I might have gotten a little loud and animated. That was all.”
“But I know them now,” the Duke added. “Your sister is very passionate.”
“Yes, she is,” Margaret agreed.
“This time together will be magical,” Nicholas said. “I promise there will be no arguments. Your sister and I will be on our very best behavior the entire time.”
Margaret finally smiled. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. I am a little stressed, what with the wedding approaching.”
“You have nothing to worry about,” Bridget told her.
“That makes me happy,” Margaret said.
Nicholas looked over to see his younger brother shooting him a knowing look.
“Lunch will be ready soon, and I look forward to everyone showing just how polite and agreeable they can be,” Michael said.
CHAPTER4
Politeness Never Hurt Anyone
Bridget took her place at the large, round dining table beside her sister. Michael sat on the other side of Margaret, with Nicholas beside him, then the Dowager Duchess, with Bridget’s mother completing the circle.
“Your Grace, it is great to finally meet you properly,” Penelope said.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Rebecca replied. “I must thank you for inviting us out here to spend this time with you. You have a marvelous estate here, and I have loved exploring it.”
“You are too kind, Your Grace,” Penelope replied.
“And where is your husband, my dear?” Rebecca asked. “I have not had the chance to meet him yet.”
“He is a very busy man. You know, with business dealings and other things to worry about,” Penelope replied.
Bridget could see her mother acting her way through the conversation now that the topic had turned to her father, the Earl of Lincoln.
Penelope and Rebecca made a fine pair, another set of opposites in a house full of opposites. Penelope was tall and thin, while Rebecca was short and plump. Penelope had sharp features, while her counterpart was rounder and softer.
“My husband was ever so busy before he passed,” Rebecca stated.
