Page 34 of Three Rules to Wed a Duke

“Well, unless the driver also doubles as a footman and a valet, that still may not be sufficient. Poor Mrs. Barrett already doesmost of the tidying, all of the cooking, and now must also become my lady’s maid. It’s far too much to ask of her.”

“Vickers helps her,” Anthony reminded her without looking up.

“True. And I should think Miss O’Reilly does her part too, but—”

“No. Miss O’Reilly is otherwise engaged. She has other duties here.”

“Oh? What sort of duties?” Frances asked, hoping she didn’t sound too nosy.

“Just… other things,” Anthony answered, waving his hand in general indication of the entire house.

“Thank you. I now know precisely nothing more than I did before I asked,” Frances teased lightly. Anthony didn’t reply, nor did he acknowledge her attempt at humor.

“My lady’s maid is still at my aunt and uncle’s house. I should like to employ her here if that’s all right with you.”

Frances waited for Anthony to think on it. She could sense the deep thought he was putting into it, and for a moment, she feared that she’d made too large a request. After all, another servant would mean additional wages, and she had yet to know anything of his funds.

“That will be all right, though I would expect her to help Mrs. Barrett as well,” he finally said.

“Of course,” Frances said, smiling warmly.

“And she must also remember that the private areas of the house are not to be disturbed, not even to clean.”

“I see. I’m sure she will not mind.”

“Very good.” Anthony returned to his breakfast, staring down at his plate as though all conversation was over.

“Wonderful. I shall send word to the maid at once,” Frances said, hoping for a reply. Even for Anthony to tell her not to be hasty would have been an improvement over his silence.

With a quiet sigh of frustration, Frances gave up her efforts for now. She looked down at the food on her plate and felt no appetite, despite having had only a meager, solitary dinner the night before. She chanced to glance up and saw Mrs. Barrett giving her a sympathetic look, though the woman did nod encouragingly at her.

I will not be defeated in this, Frances thought confidently.I will find a way to get through this wall he’s built.

After their breakfast, with Anthony gone to wherever he hid in the house, Frances once again began to roam throughout the rooms. Mr. Vickers’ impromptu tour had been a nice way to seethe property, but now she wished to really visit each room. The library was ample and well stocked with volumes, and Frances noted happily that they encompassed a variety of subjects. She was surprised to find a massive room that would serve as a salon or ballroom, and it was completely empty of furnishings or adornment. Judging from the few cobwebs in the highest corners, it hadn’t been used in years.

Downstairs, Frances tiptoed through the kitchens. The larder was sparsely stocked, which wasn’t surprising for a household of only four people before she came along. The housekeeper’s stilling room was sadly unused, for where would Mrs. Barrett even find the time to concoct remedies or work on drying herbs? The immense kitchen also contained a table for the servants to take their meals, one that would comfortably seat thirty or more at a time.

Why have so many chairs if not for ample servants?Frances thought, thinking back to the beautiful but disregarded ballroom that was also so redundant.There must have been a time when this grand house was a center of life and activity, but how heartbreaking that it now stands nearly empty and quite neglected.

“Oh! Your Grace, I’m sorry I did not know you were down here. Did you need something? Some tea, perhaps?” Mrs. Barrett asked, coming down the stairs and stopping short.

“Oh no, I’m only wandering the halls, trying to find some way to occupy my time,” Frances said too quickly. She sighed andrelented. “I’m sorry, I only meant that I’m still learning the house. I thought it would be nice to see the kitchens.”

“Certainly, Your Grace. I’m happy to show you all the provisions and what we order each week if you like.”

“That’s very kind of you. I trust you know all about what you do, though it’s nice to learn about the household,” Frances agreed. “But tell me, Mrs. Barrett, why are there so many chairs here? Were there perhaps more servants before?”

A brief dark cloud passed over the housekeeper’s face, but then she smiled brightly. She set down the washing rags she’d been bringing down and folded her hands.

“This house was once so grand,” she began with a wistful look. “I’m sure you’ve noticed that there are some things that could do with a solid repair.”

“When did all of that change?” Frances asked, trying to be delicate and not put the housekeeper in a compromising manner.

“Oh, it was a good many years ago, I suppose. No one simply stops opening the doors or inviting people in, you know. It’s a gradual thing. First, the former duke passed away, which was a terribly sad occasion. His Grace was only a boy, you know. And what need does a child have of parties or balls or music to fill the halls? His mother, the Duchess of Preston, tried her best to keep up with all of the festivities during the Season and at Christmastide, but after a time, it just became too much to bearon her own. The grand ballroom was closed off, the rooms that used to be filled with friends and relatives throughout the year were dusted for one last time. And the house has been asleep ever since.”

“That’s so sad,” Frances said mournfully, already envisioning how the grand parties must have looked, picturing a young boy peering down from the upstairs when he should have been asleep, too excited by all of the merriment to go to bed.

That is something else I shall have to discuss with the duke when the time is right, she thought.

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