Page 12 of The Duke's Return
“Her Grace is generous and kind. She gave Lisa the time to help her papa when her mam passed with a child too big in her womb. And every Sunday she ensures there is extra portions for everyone in the household. I’ve never had another lady to work for, but I like her very much.”
“Indeed.” Mr. Norman nodded. “A very fine duchess for this household.”
Julian felt irritation stretch across his skin at the butler’s grave expression and remark. Of course he had married someone ideal for this role. Did they question it? And yet no one was perfect. Even he had his faults. Just because he didn’t know what was wrong with Genevieve didn’t mean she was perfect.
“I’m sure she manages the house well,” he remarked thoughtfully. “But I cannot imagine she never makes a misstep. There must be still much for her to learn in a household such as this one.”
“She is very efficient, if that is what you mean,” Mr. Norman noted with a slight furrow now in his brow. “We have not taken on any new household staff beyond her personal maid since Her Grace joined us.”
That surprised him though he took pains not to show it. “No? I don’t understand why not. It was just enough servants on staff last I checked to keep the house managing. Didn’t she hire a proper cook at least? It was Culpepper’s nephew helping out when I was last here.”
“Johnathon Culpepper is quite the cook now. Her Grace brought many recipes from her mother’s household. We enjoy quite simple fare here most of the time,” added the man with a clear look.
Simple meaning frugal, if Julian had half a brain to guess the intentions beyond that butler’s look.
He rubbed his chin. This news surprised him. Though he had offered his wife pin money to manage and do as she liked, he didn’t know what she was doing with it. As for house-related expenses, he didn’t recall spending much time pouring over those details. Nothing had stood out to him before.
But she’s not a saint. She’s stubborn and bold and smells of lilacs. And the household likes her. Trusts her. Respects her. They’re defending her before me even now… And I didn’t even mean for that to happen.
Julian ran his hands through his hair to give himself a moment to pull his thoughts together. Deliberately ignoring the look his friend was sending his way, he forced a smile. “Thank you, Mr. Norman. And…”
“Her name’s Bilmingham,” the butler provided.
“Miss Bilmingham. Thank you for your kind words for the duchess.”
Mr. Norman nodded before gesturing for the chambermaid to join him in the doorway. “Is there anything more we can do for you, Your Grace?”
Shaking his head, he forced a short laugh. “No, you have done enough, thank you. That will be all.”
The two servants made their way out and only then did Sebastian ask, “What was that?”
“I don’t know.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes. When he pushed himself free of the chair, the wood creaked but didn’t break. He fixed his gray suit—the only color he seemed to wear in the past couple of years—and stepped back as though he were going to leave.
“We’ve only just started talking,” Julian grumbled. “Sit down. I’m leaving first thing in the morning. We haven’t talked about you or the others.”
“We did discuss me, because there is nothing to say. As for our friends, Tristan is out in the country with his new wife and Ronan is off on his adventures purchasing a new horse,” Sebastian told him blithely. “There, that is said and done. It sounds like you have some preparations to make. Packing, for one, and peace with your wife for another.”
He rose to his feet with a small groan. “There is no need to worry for peace because we are not at war. The two of us are nothing but strangers. That will change in time. I’ll just… I will simply…”
For once, he wasn’t entirely certain in truth what to do with the woman. Genevieve wasn’t like the trail of mistresses he had enjoyed in his misspent youth. She wasn’t a blushing bride either. The entirety of the woman confounded him.
“You will do what?”
“I don’t know,” Julian confessed. He forced a lopsided grin. “Do you have any ideas for me? It seems I’m woefully unprepared for living alongside a wife.”
Sebastian’s usual stony expressions cracked to reveal a partial smile. “I could have told you that. You enjoy women but pay them little attention beyond what you want to give them. But I’m sure you’ll learn.”
“That doesn’t sound like helpful advice.”
“Because it’s not.” Now the man grinned cheerfully. “This is your problem, my good friend. But if you can graduate university and survive three duels, as well as a naval post, then I think you can survive this.”
Julian shook his head. “You are dreadful motivation.”
“I shouldn’t have to be. You have a wife. She should be motivation enough. If not, then I’m sure she’ll be happy to fix your problems for you,” teased Sebastian. “She sounds more than capable of managing anything compared to you.”
Walking down the hall, the two dukes laughed. It was a badly needed moment with his friend. Julian clung to the seconds asthey made their way to the front door, and then offered his farewell.
