Page 16 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
Ava sat in the chair, letting Diana brush a hundred strokes through her hair. When Diana was done, Ava’s chestnut mane lay sleek and shiny down her shoulders, the red highlights Diana loved so much on prominent display. She smiled at Diana in the mirror and nodded. “Good job.”
Diana nodded in acknowledgment before crossing to the wardrobe to collect petticoats and stays. Once Ava was securely laced into her stays, Diana retrieved the gown for Ava to step in. It had about a hundred buttons to do up. Once Diana was finished, she sat Ava back down, so she could gather her hair up and pin the hat on top.
Examining herself in the mirror, Ava had to admit she looked every bit the duchess. She nodded to herself and got to her feet. “Thank you, Diana. Now, if you would fetch Lily, I would like her to come with me. Please make sure she is dressed and ready to go.”
Diana smiled. “Of course.”
As her lady’s maid went to prepare her daughter, Ava went in search of the butler. “Notley, I shall require some items for the villagers—loaves of bread and so on.”
He frowned. “I see. I am not sure how many loaves we have…”
“Oh, of course. Whatdoyou have that I can bring with me to the village?”
Notley looked at a bit of a loss. “Well… we have some flour?”
“That will do. Pick me some vegetables from the garden as well.”
With a sigh, she grabbed her shawl and slung it on before going outside. “Drake?” she called, and the footman came forward from where he had opened the door for her and bowed.
“Yes, Ma’am?”
“I will need your help in town. I wish to distribute some food and greet our tenants—introduce myself as the new duchess.”
Drake’s face brightened. “Oh, that is good of you. We can go to my mother’s shop. It is right in the middle of the square, and they can meet you there.”
“That is an excellent notion, Drake,” Ava smiled. “Thank you.”
Ever since Ava had formally employed his two brothers, Drake had been at her beck and call, eager to show his gratitude, no matter how many times Ava said there was no need. He was always around the corner, ready to leap into action if she needed anything.
His brothers had proved to be useful additions to the household, making sure the fires were lit at sunset and brightening up the corridors by lighting lamps, which they monitored throughout the evening among other duties.
They set out for town with Lily and Ava riding in the carriage while Drake and the coachman rode up top. They had several baskets of food to distribute, but Ava worried it was not enough. She watched the landscape pass by as they rode along the bumpy road toward the village, passing milkmaids and other pedestrians as they walked to and from the village. Several carts were evidently going to market judging by how laden they were with produce, and a few farmers herded extra pigs or a cow along the road.
Ava noted how busy it was and deduced that in spite of Edward’s situation, the village seemed to be doing quite well.
Perhaps not many will need food from me,she thought hopefully, considering the meager offerings in the basket.
Next time will be better,she promised herself while adding to her list of grievances to Edward the fact that he was negligent about food supply.
They arrived at the village in the mid-morning. Drake explained that it was market day hence the hustle and bustle around them. He introduced Ava and Lily to his mother, a diminutive old lady with sharp eyes and long white hair. She was quick to welcome them to her shop and quickly cleared the space for Ava and Lilyto sit down where they would be able to converse comfortably with whoever decided to pay their respects.
Drake disappeared but soon returned with the local priest. “This is Father Absalom, Your Grace. He has been with us since I was but a babe.” Drake introduced him.
The priest had kindly eyes with crow’s feet embedded deep in his flesh as if he smiled a lot. “It is a pleasure to meet the new duchess. It makes my heart glad to think that His Grace has found a companion. I hope you are settling in well?”
Ava found that she had a lump in his throat from the kindness of his words. “Thank you for asking,” she said. “It has been a busy time, but I am settling in fine.”
The priest nodded, bending his body in two so that he could sit down on the bench. He smiled at Lily. “And who is this young lady?”
Ava tensed. “This is my daughter,” she said stiffly.
The priest frowned before his eyes widened in realization. His eyes went through a series of expressions too fast for Ava to follow, and then he smiled. “You are welcome in our community,” he said, leaning toward Lily. “What is your name?”
Ava felt her shoulders relax as her daughter veritably beamed. “My name is Lily,” she replied with confidence.
“Lily? What a beautiful name, just like the flower. Shall I call you my little flower?” The priest grinned.
“No. Call me Lily.”
