Page 11 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
“My daughter has arrived,” Ava announced, pointing to Lily in case the Dowager had missed her presence.
Lady Lanton’s frown just got deeper. “Yes well, could you possibly keep it quiet? We are not used to that sort of noise around here.”
“Of course, my apologies.” Ava gave her a strained smile before turning to Lily. “How was your journey? Are you all right?”
“Yes.” Lily glanced at the now-closed parlor door. “Why was that lady so rude?”
Ava sighed. “She is used to it being quiet as a tomb here. I think she was just startled by the enthusiasm of our greeting.”
Lily made a face. “I do not like her.”
Ava leaned down conspiratorially. “Honestly, neither do I,” she whispered.
They both giggled. Ava felt a heaviness she had not known she was feeling lifted. She had really missed her daughter, even if it was just for a day.
Lily looked around the place, her mouth turned down. “I can see why she is used to the place being gloomy,” she commented innocently.
Ava laughed. “Well, you will help me to change that, will you not, my darling?”
Lily jumped up and down with excitement. “Of course, Mama! I will make pretty decorations and pick flowers and draw pictures and put up bright cloths, so it is not gloomy anymore!”
“Yes. We shall do all that. For now, let us go and find your room.”
Ava looked up to see her lady’s maid, dragging in their luggage, and she frowned before she remembered there was only one footman. Sure enough, he followed behind with a large trunk as well as a carpet bag. Ava took Lily’s hand and followed Drake’s huffing and puffing from up the stairs. She winced with sympathy as her lady’s maid, Diana, dropped a bag on her foot.
We really need to get more people working soon.
Chapter Six
Ava sat on the veranda facing the beautiful garden. She had decided it was a good place to conduct interviews for new staff with the soft breeze ghosting against her face, bringing the scent of lavender, mint, and rosemary from the kitchen garden to her sensitive nose.
I must find time to walk around with Lily. We have been confined indoors for too long.
Excitement rose in her at the thought of having the freedom to roam without fear of cutting remarks or searing glares aimed her way or worse, having Lily hear her called names she would not utter to her worst enemy.
This is why I agreed to this marriage.
The thought was affirming to her and made her feel more anchored in her present circumstances. It made her even more bound and determined to make this marriage work.
The first woman climbed the stairs dressed in a simple brown calico gown with a white cotton apron and the cap set neatly on her head. She gave Ava a tentative smile and then dipped her head quickly. “Your Grace,” she stumbled over her words uncertainly.
Ava smiled sympathetically. “Please, just call me Lady Ava.”
The lady bowed twice more. “Lady Ava,” she repeated obediently.
Ava took a deep breath. “Now, I am in search of an upstairs maid. Do you have any experience cleaning large houses?”
She interviewed the women, one by one, selecting a few likely ones for employment but accepting everybody who turned up as day laborers to help with the spring cleaning. At the end of the day, she was quite pleased with her choices and glad that she had been able to get this done within the day.
She retired back into the house and went in search of her daughter eager to introduce her to Edward. She found that Lily had been settled into a room in the nursery. There was also a young lady there who introduced herself as Lily’s governess, Mary Wilkins.
“His Grace retained me last week since he did not want Miss Lily to miss her step in her studies because of the move.”
“That is very thoughtful.”
“Yes, it is. Miss Lily and I have been spending the afternoon getting to know each other as I helped her unpack her belongings. She is quite an intelligent child,” Mary said.
Ava narrowed her eyes at the governess, unsure whether she was being facetious, but there was nothing except admiration in the other woman’s face, and Ava had to deduce that she was sincere.
