“Among other things.”
The dowager's expression did not change exactly, but something behind her grey eyes did.
“How fortunate you are,” she tutted, her voice thick with sarcasm. “To find yourself with such ready access to another's wealth. I had hoped to speak with my nephew about his choice of wife before the wedding. I was not given that opportunity. I cannot help but notice that you are rather… different from what I might have expected.”
“I imagine most things are,” Phoebe nodded patiently.
The dowager studied her once more. “You were a viscount's daughter. Unmarried at five-and-twenty. Scarce means, from what I understand, and no great connections or notable feats that would distinguish you or your family.”
“That is true.”
Barbara made a face, as though the very thought of the summary of Phoebe’s disappointing life was a pill that was difficult to swallow.
“Then you will forgive me if I find myself wondering what it was, precisely, that made you suitable for this position. BecauseI had intended to assist my nephew in finding a wife — one who might adequately serve the needs of the dukedom in every way, with a reputable family and ideal upbringing. Instead, I find that he has gone and acquired the likes of which should not even be considered. I should have known the moment he placed an advertisement in a newspaper like a man selling a carriage, that this would be the result. And I should have fought harder to keep such a disturbing possibility from happening.”
The silence that followed was quite deafening. And it was then Phoebe realized she was still standing. She had stood, while this woman berated her and judged her in her own home. She could not even find it in herself to be hurt or angry. She simply wanted to sit down.
And so, she did. Silently, she walked over to the settee opposite the one the dowager was in and settled in it, visibly relaxing into the cushion and she thought of what to do next.
“Arnold,” she called and the butler walked back into the drawing room. “Some lemonade and sandwiches for our guest, please.”
With the butler gone, Phoebe faced the dowager head on, finding no fear in her as she met the older woman’s gaze. She had been told much, much worse than the petty attempt Barbara had made to hurl thinly veiled insults at her and she was not going to let it put a damper on her mood.
“I understand your disappointment, Lady Shadborn,” she began, her tone placating. “I know that as his relative, you must havebeen quite concerned with his decision and the outcome must seem surprising. However, that is hardly any fault of mine.”
Barbara appeared quite discontent with Phoebe’s words and was swift to respond coldly.
“With every passing moment, it becomes even more evident my nephew was not thinking clearly. And I will not support your union.”
“Then perhaps that is something you might raise with him directly. I did not orchestrate the events that led us to this situation —”
“Well said, from the one who benefits the most from this marriage. Do you believe I do not know your sort? Do you take me for a fool, unable to recognize conniving, ambitious young women who do not care for anyone but themselves? It is obvious, your hunger for prestige and status and now that you have it, you will ruin the reputation my nephew has worked so hard to build —"
“Aunt Barbara, enough.”
They both turned Edward walked into the room, his gaze narrowed as he took in the room in a single, practiced sweep. It startled Phoebe how quickly his face took on a sharper expression that differed from his usual lax ones.
“Must you create a fuss every time you visit?” He huffed in exasperation.
“I would not do so if you ever bothered to listen to me. I warned you the advertisement would attract unsavory kinds. You did not even invite me to your wedding, neither did you call upon me afterwards. It seems as though you were intent on making the whole situation difficult for us both,” Barbara glared at him.
It was interesting to Phoebe, how both aunt and nephew seemed to bring out a lot of emotions from each other.
“You made it very clear you did not support my intention, so I believed it was in our collective best interest if you were not in attendance at the wedding. And you did not receive a visit or a summon because our honeymoon has only just ended. From the start, the one contributing any difficulties has been you, aunt. And now, here you are, making trouble for my dear wife.” Edward sighed, seemingly growing impatient.
The way he had referred to her made Phoebe feel unexpectedly hot inside. It was very unexpected, how he had immediately jumped into defending her and the duchess hoped it would not result in any problems between the duke and the dowager. They were, after all, family and she would hate to be the cause of any rift between them.
Barbara looked positively taken aback and she scoffed in disbelief.
“I am making trouble? You became bedfellows with a woman without a worthy background!”
“Lady Shadborn, lower your voice. Do not speak of my wife that way. You will receive no other warning on the matter.” The duke ordered sternly.
“Can you not see? This woman approached you with nefarious intentions. Do you not understand the danger you have put yourself in? Your resources and honor?” His aunt pressed further.
“It would be rather preposterous to assume so, given that she did not approach me for her sake, but for her family instead.”
At the Duke’s words, the dowager faltered.