the dowager duchess asked Penelope as Madame Leclair attended her hair. “Two of them did; most did not,” replied Pen. “I don’t understand why you spread the rumor regarding her dowry. Now she is surrounded by fortune hunters.” “Spread a rumor? Me?” Antonia was aghast. “I did nothing of the sort, but it is a good thing somebody did; otherwise, Miss Redgrave would be quite ignored.” “Better ignored than pursued for all the wrong reasons.” “Psshaw! Wherever do you come up with such notions? If Harriet is treated like a social outcast at her first social foray, she may never be accepted in society. Trust me. She needs something to make her acceptable.” “I think she is fine the way she is,” said Penelope, defending her new friend with more loyalty than truth. The dowager shook her head. “We will need to work on that gel’s comportment.
