Sophie is properly stunned by that reveal. She had never even considered that the line of succession would change. Until Connie was born, her cousin, oh that vile cousin, would have inherited title and Chatsworth House. In Teddy's theory, their father was going to keep marrying until he had a proper heir. Teddy said an American, why would an American even care about the line of succession in an aristocratic family? No proper British challenge would originate with an American lawyer. Honestly, last she checked, she and Teddy were in the twenties at best for the crown, and apparently, until quite recently, it was all about Connie. With the stroke of a pen, Parliament changed everything. Sophie is not quite sure how to even begin to digest becoming the Duchess someday.
Over his shoulder, Eliot watches the conversation between Teddy and Sophie. Teddy said something that completely shocked Sophie. From experience, Eliot knows that Sophie is not easily rendered speechless and whatever was revealed between the sisters, rendered Sophie speechless. He hopes that he will have another chance to chat with Teddy this evening. Eliot has to admit, he is enjoying the pace of the last few weeks. They are not being chased nor are they chasing. This is a change that he can get behind since he is not as young as he once was and the life of a hitter has taken its toll. He is reminded of this toll of this life every morning as he pulls his bones from the bed, every gunshot, every broken bone makes itself known especially on the cold mornings.
As a proper British household, it is now time for High Tea in the salon, Threeski will be expecting them. Sophie guides her guests back to their rooms to drop the coats and acquired treasures. Teddy mentions that she will be along in just a bit as she separates from them in the hall. She is not going to take a chance in getting cornered by her father again. Despite his disapproval of what she does for a living, Teddy makes a lot of money from her profession. She makes enough money that when her father needed money, Teddy was able to provide and establish new ways for the estate to make money building on what her grandfather had done before her. Though she loves her ancestral home, this is no longer where her life has been built. Teddy heads to her room to make a few calls to confirm a recording session in London for tomorrow. The summons home came at an inconvenient time, normally she is booked solid for the holidays, and at this point, she plans to keep her commitments.
Teddy changes before heading into the salon where the others are well into the ritual of high tea. Upon her entry, she is immediately cornered by Threeski as what her excuse is for being late. With a failed attempted to conceal an eye-roll, Teddy simply states that she is a businesswoman with business to attend to in London tomorrow that required confirmation. The conversation immediately draws Hardison in like a moth to a flame as he engages Teddy into a conversation to get more details as to what business she has to attend to. Hardison is very familiar with her schedule and knows this is likely a recording session that he would sacrifice a limb to attend. With a genuine smile and an eyeing from Sophie, Teddy offers for them to tag along which is accepted before the invitation leaves Teddy's lips. Teddy is actually looking forward to sharing her world with Sophie.
As high tea continues, Teddy hears some of her favorite phrases from Frankie's lips. Frankie has mentioned Bunny. With a shared giddy girl like squeal, Teddy and Sophie turn towards each other with a comical statement exchanged. "Bunny Rant!" With the grace of a high jumper, Teddy clears the edge of the couch, landing in the seat next to Frankie as Sophie takes a chair quicker than the music ending in a game of musical chairs. Eliot, who is currently talking to Connie, has to ask the obvious question. "What in the hell is a bunny rant?" With a laugh, Connie offers that his sisters are about to bitch about Frankie's mother in law. Lady Elizabeth "Bunny" Worthington Whitmore. If it were a Babs rant, it would be Georgie. Babs rants are good but Bunny rants are gold. To Sophie's delight, Parker is quite enjoying her first participation in a Bunny Rant.
To keep the conversation flowing, Eliot asks Connie if he will join them on the London adventure with Teddy. Connie tells Eliot that it is something he would not miss. From the conversation about Sophie and Teddy, it becomes quite clear to Eliot that the youngest admires his older sisters. There is a significant age gap between Sophie and Teddy and their other siblings. What Eliot can estimate is that Sophie and Teddy are only a couple of years apart. There are at least 10 years between Teddy and Frankie. Frankie and Georgie are only a few years apart but Connie, there are almost two decades between him and Sophie and Teddy.
"They are quite the gaggle of hens." Sophie's father approaches Eliot from behind. Connie excuses himself to avoid being cornered by his father about his university studies. Eliot acknowledges the Duke. "Indeed, they are." The Duke circles closer for a more private word with Eliot. "Your reputation preceded you Mr Spencer." Eliot glances up at Sophie's father. "Yes, I do know who you are. How did you come to be associated with my daughter." For the briefest of moments, Eliot has to consider which daughter the Duke may be referencing. He happens to know two of his daughters. He knew Theodora long before he had met Sophie through Nate. Eliot had encountered Sophie many times in their shared history without really knowing who she was. "I had met Sophie or rather Alexandra through a mutual friend, Sir.
"Mr Spencer, would you join me for a drink in my study?" Eliot knows this is not actually a request, it is a command. This is Sophie's father so he will automatically honor the request without question. "My pleasure, Sir." Eliot follows the Duke from the salon into his well-appointed study. The Duke pours them each a crystal glass of fine Scotch as they each take a seat in the well-worn leather chairs. "Eliot, the man that my daughter mourns, was he a good man?" The Duke's tone is a bit forlorn as he delivers the statement. Eliot takes a sip of the drink as he contemplates his answer. "Yes, Sir. He was a good man. Flawed but a very good man."
With a small laugh, the Duke continues. "Aren't we all." Eliot joins with a smile and acknowledgment of the truth in that statement. "Will you make sure that my daughter remains safe." Eliot is a bit surprised by the Duke's words, however, this answer is automatic. "Until my dying day." The Duke nods his head as an acknowledgment of the depth of Eliot's relationship with Sophie. "Do you have children, Eliot."
"No, Sir, not yet." Eliot wonders where this is going but he knows from Nate how fathers love their children. "I have tried to do right by my children, Eliot, all of them but I am an imperfect man. When the time comes, I hope you will honor your words and protect them. Eliot meets the Duke's intense gaze that looks through him. "Always, Sir."