Mantheria laughed. ‘I hope you know we are jesting. There is no repayment for friendship, and you needn’t feel any rush to pay for your clothing. The money I used was my own, not my husband’s. He cannot protest at how I spend my allowance.’
The young Duchess briefly touched Louisa’s arm, but it did not make her feel any better. She felt worse to have taken Mantheria’s money. She would have much preferred to have borrowed from her unfaithful husband.
Several people waved at them. A few carriages wound their way through the park, and several ladies and gentlemen were on horseback. One of the riders was Sunny, who tipped his hat to them.
He focused on Mantheria’s pale countenance. ‘Are you quite well this morning, Your Grace?’ he asked solicitously.
‘Why are you being so stuffy this morning, Sunny?’ Frederica asked. ‘You never call Mantheria by her title.’
‘Hush,’ Mantheria said, giving her sister a little shove on the shoulder. ‘We’re in public and he’s addressing me correctly.’
‘You may call meLadyHelen, then,’ her other little sister said with a cheeky grin.
Becca giggled. ‘Yes, and I amLadyRebecca. You are only a duke after all, Sunny. You mustn’t get above yourself.’
Louisa found herself laughing, despite her worries.
Sunny winked at the girl, and said solemnly, ‘Thank you for the reminder—Lady Rebecca.’
His eyes went back to Mantheria. Louisa saw her friend’s cheeks turn a pretty pink.
‘Glastonbury is at home,’ she told him. ‘One can only pray that he will be invited to another house party soon.’
All the light faded from Sunny’s face and Louisa mourned for both of them. For the impossibility of their love.
Touching his hat, Sunny said, ‘You may be assured of my support should you ever require it, Your Grace.’
He didn’t wait for her answer, but turned his horse and cantered away.
Frederica furrowed her brow. ‘What was he talking about, Mantheria?’
But her elder sister only said, ‘Hush.’
A carriage pulled up beside them. A woman with dark curls and a pretty face looked at them with interest. Beside her sat an older female companion.
‘Lady Glastonbury, what a delight to have run into you this morning.’
‘Lady Jersey.’ Mantheria nodded like a queen, her face as pale as marble again. ‘Allow me to introduce you to my new friend, Lady Louisa Bracken.’
Louisa kept her eyes up and performed a small curtsy.
The woman smiled at them, her eyes positively sparkling with interest. ‘Yes. I have heardeverythingabout you, my dear young lady. The reports do not do your beauty justice.’
‘Thank you, my lady,’ Louisa said breathlessly, a little surprised that such a fashionable lady should take an interest in her.
Mantheria gestured with one hand. ‘And these are my sisters, Lady Frederica, Lady Helen, Lady Rebecca, and my son Viscount Chambers.’
Andrew beamed up at the woman and pointed at himself. ‘I’m going to be a dook.’
‘Of course you are,’ Lady Jersey said with a winning smile. ‘I know your papa—and I knew yours too, Lady Louisa. He was a fine man.’
Louisa’s eyes watered. ‘That he was.’
Lady Jersey’s gaze moved back to Mantheria. ‘I shall send Lady Louisa a voucher for Almack’s.’
Mantheria bowed her head again, a hint of a smile on her lips. ‘You are too kind, Sally. But also too late. Emily has already sent Louisa one and given her permission to waltz.’
Lady Jersey nodded and said her goodbyes. Her driver urged the horses on.