Chapter 23

Satisfied with Lady Cawley’s disgrace, Edmund continued my supposed birthday fun at the Tarrick Gallery. Though I had never known her socially the image of her stayed with me instead of the shop wares. Fitz followed behind, his eyes burning into the nape of my neck.

Disguised as a birthday present this outing was Edmund's reminder to the good and great of the town that he was Duke of Tarrick. The richest landowner for fifty miles and nearly everyone's landlord. Wearing a charcoal grey suit with a pearl waistcoat, he looked distinguished, if frail. I was his trinket. The sapphire brooch drawing gasps from onlookers as I reluctantly modelled his wealth.

“Happy birthday Vanessa!” Kitty cried, waiting for us outside the entrance. “Your Grace,” was my mothers cordial greeting, a cold kiss on the cheek my sole greeting.

Edmund took my mothers arm to guide her around the new landscape collection, I held Kitty’s. “So, who is the new livery!” she whispered. “I have never seen such a man bef