“Dolls,” Emily guessed.

“I think it’s oatmeal,” Della said. Nora loathed oatmeal.

“But how would he keep it?” Emily asked. She had an analytical mind and was constantly asking questions. Unlike Nora, who merely demanded answers.

Yes, just like me, Della thought before any voice could pop up in her head to remind her of that fact.

The carriage turned, and then slowed, finally coming to a stop in front of the duke’s house.

“Ooh,” Emily said.

“One person lives there?” Nora asked.

“The duke lives there, but he has staff there too. And Lord Stanbury, he’s been to our house before.”

“There’s enough room for a dog,” Nora pronounced as Della opened the hackney door.

She got out, then helped the girls and Sarah descend. The four of them walked up the stairs to the mansion, a footman standing at attention at the door. Then the door swung open and the butler emerged. His expression was somber, but he definitely had a tiny smile when he looked at the girls.

“Might I tell the duke who is calling?” the butler asked.

“Lady Della, Mrs. Wattings, and Nora Howlett and Emily Wattings,” Della replied. “The duke is expecting us.”

“Excellent. If you will step inside, I will see if the duke is at home.”

The four of them crowded into the hallway, only the hallway was so enormous they could have each been in one corner and had to yell to one another.

Della hadn’t noticed before, but this house was even larger than her parents’. She wondered if they knew that, and if it irked them. She hoped it did.

It was petty, but it made her feel better.

“Please come this way,” the butler said, gesturing for them to follow him. They walked down the hall toward where Della had seen the duke before, Nora and Emily talking in whispers, although Nora’s voice was clearly audible. Something involving a dog, of course.

“The ladies are here, Your Grace,” the butler said as he ushered them into the room.

The duke was in his chair, a throw on his legs, a warm smile on his face. Della couldn’t help but smile back.

“Thank you for visiting, and for bringing your—”

“Family,” Della supplied.

“Of course. Family.” He held his hand out toward the girls. “I am the Duke of Northam. And you are?”

“Nora Howlett,” Nora replied, taking his hand and shaking it vigorously.

“Emily Wattings,” Emily said, dipping into a curtsey as Nora kept shaking the duke’s hand.

“A pleasure to meet you both. Tea?” the duke said, addressing the butler. “And ask Cook if there are biscuits for my friends here.”

“This is Mrs. Wattings,” Della said, drawing Sarah forward. Sarah curtseyed also, and the duke nodded to her, then gestured for them to be seated.

“I do apologize for not getting up, but you see—” the duke said, indicating his chair.

“Are you sick?”