Page 66 of Three Rules to Wed a Duke

“No, my brother has married. I am now Miss Hughes, and proud to be so!” she said, smiling adoringly at her nurse.

“Your brother? What do you mean?” Frances asked, looking from the girl to the nurse and back again.

“Yes. I am Anthony’s younger sister, and it is a great pleasure to meet you. Rachel, will you help me to the chair?”

“Of course, my lady.”

Frances was dumbfounded as she stepped back and gave them a wide berth. The nurse remained close at Abigail’s side, lifting the girl with every step and helping her to walk. It took several minutes for them to reach the table and chairs, and Frances darted forward to pull the chair out for her. She noted the nurse’s brief look of appreciation before stepping back once more and letting Miss O’Reilly help Abigail to sit down.

“Won’t you please sit, Your Grace?” Abigail asked, beaming as she gestured to the other chair.

“Only if you promise to call me Frances,” she replied, smiling at her warmly as she took the seat across from her.

“Frances, then. And you must call me Abby. I just know we will be dear friends!”

“I truly hope so. But may I ask why you remain upstairs?” Frances inquired as gently as she could.

Abigail’s face clouded over briefly, then she forced a smile. She glanced at her nurse, who only nodded once.

“I have been a sickly girl all my life,” she began. “It’s better for me to keep to this part of the house, for I have all that I requirehere. Besides, no one will have to tend to me other than Rachel this way.”

“No onehasto tend to you! We would be greatly honored to do so,” Frances countered adamantly.

“That is very kind of you to say. But I prefer having a place for myself, especially when I’m doing poorly. Anthony is the most devoted brother, always showering me with gifts and visiting me, just as you’re doing. Besides, the pair of you are married now. You certainly don’t need an invalid girl in the way, disrupting your parties or upsetting your guests.”

Frances was appalled. Who had put these notions in her head? The very idea that she would be a disruption or upsetting to anyone made Frances feel ill. Instead, they should be celebrating her vigorous health when she was well and consoling her when she was not.

“You could never be a disruption or a bother or a burden or… or… or whatever awful things you’re thinking!” Frances insisted, leaning closer. “I would be honored to have you in our household.”

Nearby, Miss O’Reilly actually looked on with approval. Frances finally got the sense that this woman was not so cold and vicious as she’d first seemed, but rather she was as fiercely devoted to Abigail as Anthony seemed to be. It did wonders to soften Frances’ previous perceptions of her. She looked over at the nurse and returned her smile for Abigail’s sake.

“Perhaps someday I shall consider it. For now, I have everything I could ask for up here. Besides, you and that brother of mine are only just now married. You’re still on your honeymoon even! I could never intrude.”

Frances fought to keep from scoffing. The thought of there even being a honeymoon was ludicrous, and now that Anthony was no longer in good spirits with her, the entire notion was unfathomable. Still, there was no need for Abigail to know these things, so Frances merely looked appreciative.

Over the course of they visit, they talked of many things. Frances began to think Abigail was far lonelier than she let on. It was one thing to keep upstairs and out of everyone’s way for the sake of her health, but it was something else entirely if her self-imposed imprisonment was out of fear. Frances couldn’t be certain, but some of Abigail’s remarks here and there made her think it might have more to do with the latter than the former.

“So, you went away to school? I’ve always dreamed of it, though I could never have managed on my own. What was it like?” Abigail asked, her eyes bright despite the shadows beneath them and the hollowed look to her cheeks. Frances noted how the girl often coughed if she spoke too quickly or became too excited, and this time was no exception.

“It was interesting, to say the least,” Frances answered, not wanting to disappoint her with any of the unpleasant parts. “We worked hard and learned a great many things, from how to run a household to how to dance and speak French and plot constellations. History and government were my favoritesubjects, though. It was difficult at times, mostly because we were expected to be flawless in how we conducted ourselves. There were swift and severe punishment for failing to be perfectly well-mannered. But I did meet my two dearest friends there. Oh, you should meet them soon! And my cousin, Juliet Bailey! She is currently staying at Cadmoor House with her husband, in fact!”

Abigail’s expression faltered. Her happy mood quickly turned fearful.

“There are more people in the house now?” she asked, her voice trembling as she seemed to be on the verge of tears.

“I already told you about the new servants, my lady, and they haven’t interfered with you at all,” Miss O’Reilly reminded her from where she sat on the other end of the room. “Two more people will be no different, I promise. They will never even know you’re here. Look how long it took Her Grace to know it, and she lives here!”

“Oh yes, I promise as well,” Frances assured her, ignoring the nurse’s remark. “I only meant that you would really enjoy her. I think she’s near to your age, in fact! How old are you, if I may ask?”

“Seventeen. But Anthony swears I behave more like an old woman,” Abigail muttered, rolling her eyes.

“Precisely the same age then! But you do not have to meet her if you don’t wish to. She will not even know you’re here unless youwant me to tell her. Plus, with the new servants who are about the house, I’m sure it will escape her notice that you’re even here.”

“I don’t wish to be invisible, you know. I cannot help it,” Abigail said sheepishly. “It’s just better this way.”

Frances smiled sympathetically. Though she couldn’t imagine how any of this was better, she also knew it was not her place to decide that. If Abigail felt more secure or better off in her own little fortress, it wasn’t anyone else’s right to argue. The entire situation painted Anthony in a whole new light, though. He had neglected the entire rest of the house while providing this oasis for his sickly, invalid sister. He had dismissed all the rest of the servants save the three who knew of Abigail and would respect her privacy. He’d forbidden all visitors and parties and experiences to keep her safe, though from what, Frances didn’t know.

Anthony’s behavior was suddenly beginning to make sense. More than that, Frances realized that he was, in fact, capable of intense emotions. He might be reserved in how he showed them, but he certainly did share them with others. Words may even fail him when it came time to express his love for someone, but his actions were more than sufficient to show it.

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