Page 36 of Her Bear of a Duke

"What an odd question," Francine noted, brushing Dorothy's hair. "Why do you ask?"

"Curiosity, I suppose."

"Well, no, I do not. My aunt did, though. She was positive that she saw something in the garden once, but my uncle says it was him."

"I see," she replied, dejected.

She had been hoping that her lady's maid believed in them, so that she could tell her what she saw in the west wing of the household when she was out in the garden. It had been a strange situation, but she tried to forget about it. It had been the heat and nothing more, she was positive. Ghosts were not real, and she knew that.

"Do you believe in them, Your Grace?"

"Of course not. Well… Suppose I did think I saw one. Would I be sent away to Bedlam?"

"Not by me, no. Why, did you see one?"

"I may have. It must have been my mind playing tricks on me, though. It was when I was out in the garden. I thought I saw a little girl."

"There are no little girls here."

"No, which is why I believe I made it up. I must have been tired, and hot, and not thinking properly. I ought to take better care of myself."

Francine looked at her as if in thought, and Dorothy wondered what she was thinking. She pictured an older woman that looked like her, positive that phantoms were real and that she had truly seen one. She tried to think back to what she had seen, but she could not picture the little girl a second time other than her perfect golden curls.

"It has been a difficult time," Francine reasoned. "A lot has changed, and it is no surprise that you are so tired. Perhaps you should rest a while?"

"I should, but there is far too much to do. I wish to see the garden, as His Grace has told me I can change some things, and I must try and help Mrs. Herrington. Against all odds, I will make her accept me."

Francine bit her lip, uncertain of that. Dorothy felt quite the same, but she wanted to try. If there was any chance that she could mend things with Mrs. Herrington, she would have to make the effort to become the right sort of duchess, and in spite of what her husband had promised her she wanted to be good enough.

When she was ready, she went down to breakfast. Morgan was not there, which seemed odd to her but as it had been a late nightshe tried not to think about it. There was a chance he was still asleep, as he had no reason to have nightmares and awaken too soon. It was strange to eat in silence again, but she did not mind it. It gave her time to think of all of the ways she could be better as a duchess, so that she would please her housekeeper.

After breakfast, she found Mrs. Herrington in the linen room, making strange huffing noises. She joined her, and at once saw what the issue was. The linens were strewn about, which struck her as very bizarre indeed.

"What has happened?" she asked.

"Johnson brought the new supplies in," she grunted. "He did not pile them correctly, and they have fallen."

"Oh! Allow me to help you."

"Absolutely not," she snapped. "That is not for you to do."

"Perhaps not, but the sooner this is fixed the sooner we can tackle something else."

She heard her make a few noises in objection, but she ignored them. Instead, she took a tablecloth that had fallen and folded it neatly, placing it in the correct part. She then took a bed linen and did the same thing. Mrs. Herrington watched her do so with wide eyes.

"Where did you learn to do this?" she asked. "A duchess should not know how to fold like that."

"I was clumsy as a girl. I dropped no end of things, so I learned how to fix them afterward. I also spent some time with the servants in my parents' house, as when my sister left I did not have anyone to speak to."

The housekeeper did not respond, instead shrugging and taking another linen and folding it. They both continued until all of it was done, and then Mrs Herrington turned to leave without her. Dorothy followed behind.

"Your Grace, there is no need for you to assist me. I know what I am doing."

"I know, and that is precisely why I wish to follow you. I want to learn, and I want to be helpful."

"It would be most helpful if you left me alone."

"Mrs. Herrington, I know that you do not like me, and that you are suspicious of my intentions, but I promise you that I only want what is best for the family. I intend to be a good duchess, and I would like more than anything for you to help me with that. I know it is a lot to ask, but you would have my gratitude for it."

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