Page 60 of Three Rules to Wed a Duke

“I was referring to the person upstairs,” the older woman explained. “When His Grace is of the mind to explain her presence, he will. Until then, I can only urge you to be patient and understanding.”

“I will try. I promise,” Frances answered, though her heart was still heavy.

By the end of the evening, though, Frances’ guilt had gotten the best of her. It had taken great effort and the shedding of many tears, but she had found some measure of peace with the circumstances. In her resolve to not be miserable, she took a bold step. Withdrawing a piece of foolscap from the drawer of her desk, she sat down and penned a letter.

“Dear Lady ______,

I know not who you are nor why you reside in this house, but I wish to say that I’m sorry for intruding on you earlier today. I clearly startled you with my presence, and I promise that I was only curious about why the third floor of my house was locked away, forbidding me entry. I had absolutely no notion that you were there or that you reside here, and it is my fervent hope that I did not cause you any pain or upset with my intrusion.

Sincerely,

Frances Hughes, Duchess of Preston”

She knew that Sara would be too hot tempered to deliver the note to Miss O’Reilly or the housekeeper, so Frances decided to take her letter to Mrs. Barrett personally. She would plead with the housekeeper to see to it that it reached the mysterious woman. Mrs. Barrett, however, was not so convinced.

“I don’t know, Your Grace. This feels very much as if it is you going upstairs. I cannot help but think that His Grace would not be pleased.”

His Grace is not here!Frances wanted to shout in frustration, but she only smiled agreeably.

“I understand why you might feel that way, but I assure you that I only wish to apologize to her. You may read the letter and see for yourself if you wish.”

Frances held out the folded page for Mrs. Barrett to take, but the housekeeper only looked at it warily. At last, her features relaxed.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. I was only being foolish. Of course I shall be glad to take it up for you.”

“Thank you. I do truly wish to ask for her forgiveness. I think I shall go to bed now in hopes that tomorrow is a much less sorrowful day,” Frances said, the weight of the day’s events pressing on her.

As she sank into bed, Frances’ mind was still troubled. There had to have been some reason for Anthony to so adamantly ask for her hand, but what could that reason be? There was simply no logic to it, and if there was anything Frances knew to be true about that man, it was that he seemed to be ruled almost entirely by logic. His feelings, his desires, his very heart seemed incapable of leading him as his every wish was driven by only what was sensible.

But the housekeeper’s words kept coming back to her.This isn’t what you think… there is nothing to worry yourself about…And yet, there could be no logical reason for Anthony’s actions,so Frances had no choice but to think the worst. Worry and heartache were her only recourse until she had reason to believe otherwise.

CHAPTER 23

“Sara, I will be going out to have tea today with Lady Agnes and Lady Emma,” Frances announced to her lady’s maid the following morning. She turned away shyly to ask, “Has there been any word of the duke?”

“I haven’t seen him, though I did hear that he returned last night after you’d gone up. I can go and see if you like.”

“No. He knows quite well where my rooms are. I’m sure if he wishes to speak with me, he’ll see to it that I’m aware of it. Come, I’ll dress and go down as if nothing has changed,” she answered, trying not to sound so dejected. “Perhaps he’ll permit me to apologize.

To Frances’ dismay, Anthony did not come down for breakfast. She waited alone in the empty dining room, pricked by the guilt of knowing that this was precisely how Anthony must have felt all the times that she’d been late or absent. She felt isolated and somewhat humiliated, startling at every noise from the hallway only to be disappointed again when it wasn’t him.

How have I managed to make such a mess of things in such a short time?she thought bitterly.I should have had to marry that awful Lord Rowland, for it’s all I deserve if I cannot be a better person than this.

“Good day, Your Grace,” Mrs. Barrett said as she brought in Frances’ breakfast. “I trust you slept well.”

“Yes, Mrs. Barrett, thank you,” Frances answered automatically, intent on not inflicting her sour mood on the housekeeper.

“I’m afraid His Grace has asked for his breakfast to be brought up this morning,” the older woman said delicately. “Will you still take yours here in the dining room?”

“Yes, Mrs. Barrett,” she repeated, sounding even more dejected. “Thank you.”

“You’re most welcome, Your Grace.”

So, I’m to be punished like a naughty child for my disobedience, Frances thought as she began pushing her eggs and bread around on her plate. She took a few spoonfuls, but she had no wish to eat anything anymore for her ire soon returned.I have half a mind to go up and demand that he speak to me!

Soon enough, Frances decided against it. Her impulsive behavior had already led to enough trouble as was. She’d long been ruled by her emotions, which probably made it even more impossible to understand a man who seemed to have none. Nowit was time to slow her reactions, think things through, and wait to see what would happen.

As she and Sara made their way to Lady Agnes’ house, Frances tried her best to be in good spirits. After the rain from the day before, the sun had finally emerged and was doing its utmost to dry off the streets and the parks. Here and there, a tree still stubbornly refused to let go of the water drops clinging to its leaves, but otherwise, everything seemed freshly cleaned and glistening.

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