Alex strode into the Winsome house with a determination that sent the servants dashing about in all directions. She marched straight to her father’s study. That was the most likely place to find him.
He was sitting in a chair before the fire. “Winsome.”
“Ah, Alexandra, when did you return?”
“Just now.”
“I can see from your expression you’ve heard the news.”
“What news would that be?”
“That your mother is in town.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I only learned this morning. Your stepmother was shopping with your sisters and saw her on Bond Street.”
The air left Alex’s body in a whoosh. she slipped into the seat next to him. She stared into the fire as well. “So, you spoke to her?”
“Yes.”
“I should like to see her.”
He let out a long sigh. “We thought as much.”
“We?”
“Frederika and I.”
Alex’s anger, what was left of it, dissipated. “So, it won't bother you?”
“Of course not. She's your mother.”
“And the duchess, will she mind?” She cut her gaze to him.
He smiled. “Shockingly, Frederika has plans to invite her to tea.”
“Goodness, that is shocking.” She contemplated the fire once more. “Why is she here? Now, after all this time, do you suppose?”
“I believe she has been waiting to see you.”
“Perhaps. But why now? Why not when I’d reached my majority?”
“I’ve no notion. She may have worried you’d forgotten her. She has letters for you.”
“I owe you an apology,” Alex said after a long silence.
“What on earth for?”
“I was a horrid child, the way I treated you and the duchess.”
“You were a child, Alexandra. You were close to your mother. I could see she cared greatly for you when I took you from her.”
“Still.”
The duke leaned forward and speared her with a hard look. “Not another word, my dear. I want nothing more than your happiness. You do realize that, don’t you?” He took her hand. “Do you think you could be happy with Millburn?”
Yes, she wanted to shout. But as she’d told Theo, no one should be forced to marry out of obligation.
“Because I can make him marry you, if he is who you want.”
She came out of her chair, dropping to her knees, laying her head across his knees. “Oh, Father. You are impossible,” she said on a choked laugh.
Olivia warmed herself by the fire at No. 25 St. James Place. She had questions. A good many questions. Oh, how she’d missed Alexandra. She wished to see her so badly, her fingers hurt from clenching them.
Olivia had no intention of going to the Duke of Winsome's Christmas fête. As the duke’s former mistress, no matter that it was thirty years ago, attending such an event was too scandalous for words.
Urvay strolled in. His affected nonchalance didn’t fool her for second. She abhorred the man. In fact, Olivia had already secured another place to stay with her old friend, Mrs. Dunstan, during their visit earlier that afternoon.
“What say we make an appearance at the new gaming hell, Olivia? I've not yet attended, but it is said to be the poshest place in town.”
“I believe I shall skip this time around. I think I’ll send a note to my daughter.” She smiled. “I do believe Mr. Millburn is sweet on her.”
Urvay stared at her, his expression stunned as if the thought had not occurred to him. “I beg your pardon? You ran into Theo?”
“We had tea. He is a most pleasant young man.”
“And you say he's, er, sweet on her,” he said thoughtfully.
“It was quite enlightening.” She smoothed her hands over her skirt. “I feel he would make an excellent match for her.”
“Do you? Alexandra is a bastard and Theo is my heir.”
A blinding fury shot through Olivia. “I'll thank you not to speak derogatorily of my only child. She is the daughter of a duke and he has not only acknowledged her, but I do believe he loves her as greatly as I.”
Urvay’s demeanor changed instantly. “Of course, my dear. How remiss of me.”
“You are the one who brought me over here after all,” she said, bristling.
He inclined his head in a short bow. “Apologies.”
She took a deep breath and forced herself to return to calm. “The duke invited me to their Christmas ball.”
His demeanor shifted again. There was a calculating look in his eye. “You don't say?”
“Indeed, but I shall not be attending.”
The baron turned his back on her and clasped his hands. “Perhaps you should attend.”
She gave a delicate sniff. “Ridiculous. It's completely out of the question.”
He turned and faced her. “God’s teeth, why not? The duke himself invited you.” He paused. “Unless, of course, you believe his duchess will not retract the invitation.”
She smiled wryly. “I suspect when she’s learns of the invitation, it will not thrill her. But I doubt she would go against her husband’s wishes.”
He nodded. “You should go. I have it on good authority she may do her best to keep you from seeing your daughter. This is an opportunity you should not squander should that be the case. As you said, the duke did invite you.”
Olivia frowned. “You really believe she would try keeping Alexandra from seeing me? She is eight and twenty, no longer a child.”
“She lives under their roof, my dear. I’ve heard the duke is quite unpredictable, you know. Especially in light of what happened to his first wife. At this moment, you, my dear, have every advantage.”
“You really think so?”
He shrugged. “It’s up to you, of course.”
“Perhaps I shall attend then.” She let out a long sigh. “And you, will you be attending as well?”
He smiled. “Alas, I was not invited.” He moved back to the door. “Well, if you will excuse me, I believe I shall make an appearance at la Sous Rose. I hear nothing but excellent things about the place.”
Olivia nodded absently, mentally composing a note to Alexandra.
After a bit, the front hall door opened then closed. Olivia rose and went to Urvay’s desk and pulled out a sheet of foolscap. Once she completed her note, and with great reservations, she set it in the salver to be sent over. Would the duchess truly try to keep her from seeing Alexandra? Winsome had seemed so sincere.
How infuriating. Olivia had sacrificed much. She’d known the duke could and would give her daughter everything that Olivia could not. But to keep Alexandra from Olivia at this stage was outrageous.
The greatest sacrifice a mother could make was doing what was best for her child, and Oliva had eschewed the one thing she’d held in her heart. Alexandra. She spun on her heel, stomped back into the library, and paced the room with a fierceness that wore the carpet beneath her feet.
Why should Olivia stay away from the Christmas ball? As Urvay said, she'd been invited by Winsome himself.
That settled it. Olivia would attend. Let the duchess chew on that stick.