“My Lady,” he greeted tersely. “I have come for Lady Redcliff. I heard she’s is in residence.”
Verity narrowed her eyes at him, wondering how he didn’t know her. Who would call on her and not know her face at this time?
But then most ladies didn’t answer their own doors.
Either way, he didn’t seem interested in budging in one direction or another.
“I am in residence, clearly. And who might you be?”
His brow creased. “You cannot be Lady Redcliff. She is an elderly woman.”
Although Verity supposed she could mention her aunt, who was not the lady of the house, she didn’t feel inclined to niceties atthe moment. “Some would consider me ancient. Do you have some business with the house? You do not appear at all like our neighbors.”
“Because I am rarely in residence myself,” he said, sounding testy as if she was the one on his doorstep. She considered reminding him of proper manners, but then he continued. “The Duke of Halewood, at your service. But you may address me as Lord Northcott.”
Goodness gracious. It is him. They say the Duke is made of iron. I should have known. Those eyes… Besides, we always knew he would eventually come this way.
Verity pursed her lips, mostly to keep from letting her mouth drop open. He clearly expected respect, perhaps a curtsy. Her stomach twisted with discomfort, though she gave it no attention. She didn’t even want to give the Duke any attention. Society cared little for her family, and she refused to care for any of them in return.
So she asked, “Have you come to claim what’s left of the estate, then?”
Not all of the land here was entailed, after all. In fact, only the manor itself was entailed, along with a single strip of road. The rest of it belonged to her. Barren as most of it might be, she cared for the tenants and had refused to sell to anyone who might dare cast them out. Her father had always expected their neighbors to come and ask for the land, and she was born believing it as well.
The Duke frowned before answering. “I am only here because of our lands’ boundaries. I’m missing some documents and came to view your books.”
Either he lost his maps and files, or he’s come to investigate the boundaries further in case he wants to lay claim to this estate. He wouldn’t be the first in the area to come sniffing around.
Tempted as Verity was to still close the door in the face of a duke, she restrained herself. She softened her smile marginally before stepping back to grant him entry. And she said nothing about his presumptuous manner, as she knew it would do little good.
“Please come in, Your Grace. Allow me to take you to the parlor. My aunt is already seated. You may join us, and we shall prepare some tea,” she informed him.
The more she spoke, the less he would notice the leaks and stains they passed in the hall. Or so she hoped.
“Your aunt?”
She gritted her teeth behind the smile. “Lady Wetherby, my aunt.”
“Then you really are Lady Redcliff. My apologies. I believe we haven’t been properly introduced,” he said pointedly, slowing down.
Before she could grab the doorknob, her aunt stepped into the hall to greet them. “Whatever took you so long, dear? The drapes will never be completed now. Ah, it was a guest, then. You were right. Chess it will be. And who do you think you might be, infringing upon our peace?”
“Aunt Eugenia,” Verity said in a measured but warning tone. “Allow me to introduce you to our long-lost neighbor, the Duke of Halewood.” She ignored his gaze, having had years of practice. “Your Grace, this is Lady Wetherby, my aunt.”
Her aunt squinted up at the Duke. “They call you the Iron Duke.”
“Auntie,” Verity muttered, tensing up.
The Duke merely blinked. “Do they? I don’t pay mind to gossip. It is unseemly.”
“But that is where a piece of truth always lies.”
Eugenia was a rich widow who never had children of her own. Her sharp tongue had only grown sharper throughout the years. But Verity didn’t have the heart to scold her. After all, her aunt had come here for her, prepared to protect her in any way.
But Verity refused to accept a farthing from her, only her company.
“We can discuss gossip later. The hall is drafty.” Her aunt gave her a look before focusing on the Duke. “Come sit and tell mewhatever excuse you have for sniffing about your neighbors after all this time.”
“Very well,” he said.
