Page 60 of The Love Potion
“I think they’re right fine females.” He glanced sideways at Zoe. “All of them.”
Unlike most women, Zoe didn’t take offense at being lumped in with her mares. She was of equally fine breeding and training as her horses, among humans, of course. And if the duke didn’t see that, then he was a fool.
“Excellent,” exclaimed the duke as he held out his hand. “Shall we head up for tea and then we can discuss your thoughts in more detail?”
She nodded, pleased with the outcome. “I’m afraid I smell of horse, Your Grace. I thought that might happen, and so…” She frowned as she looked around. “Where is Kynthea?”
“Over here,” came her cousin’s response. “I have your bag,” she said, holding it up.
“And there is a bath waiting for you. We will wait on tea,” the duke said.
“You’ve thought of everything,” she said with a grin.
The duke shook his head. “Actually, it was your cousin’s idea.”
Of course, it was. Kynthea always thought three steps ahead in every social situation. It was a quality Zoe greatly admired. “I’ll be very fast.”
“Take your time,” he said as he escorted her up to the house.
Kynthea joined them, taking a moment to pass her bag to their maid. Zoe smiled her thanks then rushed ahead. At home in Cornwall, she was always late, but it wouldn’t do to be tardy here. Duchesses weren’t supposed to be late ever.
She stripped out of her clothes as fast as possible. A few minutes later, she was washing away her sweat and wondering what it would be like to be mistress here. She would have to learn how to handle the servants, of course. Her mother and Kynthea did that at home, but they could teach her. Or, if she brought Kynthea here as her companion, that could be one of her cousin’s duties.
She thought of the duke’s different properties and horse stables. They needed to be reorganized with specific locations designed for the different types of training required. She could visit each location on a rotating basis. At least she knew how to hire stable hands. It was household servants that bedeviled her.
She had other thoughts, of course. Plans, hopes, and even one inspiration. But they were all ways to avoid looking at the bed. After she married, she would have to produce an heir. It was a duchess’s first responsibility. But how would she do the work she’d done today—work she loved—when heavy with child?
As for the first part, the part about creating that child in the first place… Well, she steadfastly refused to think about that.
She didn’t have time to dry her hair in front of the fire but tied it back with a ribbon. The ends would curl sweetly about herface, but it did make her look younger. Unfortunately, there was no hope for it. It was well past teatime.
She put on some earbobs because she liked the feel of them when they tapped against her neck, then rushed downstairs to where Kynthea and the duke were conversing about the corn laws, of all things. Zoe had heard of them, of course. It was all the men discussed outside of dogs and horses. But far from being bored, Kynthea appeared to enjoy the discussion. Indeed, she and the duke were involved in a lively debate, and all Zoe could think was, thank God. After Zoe and the duke were married, Kynthea could handle the boring discussions. She was much more of an age with the duke. Her conversation would make the time bearable while they waited for the nursery to fill.
“Don’t you look lovely?” said the duke as Zoe entered the room. He stood up as was polite and guided her to a chair.
She went where he led because that was her duty as his future wife. It was only after she sat down that she realized that Kynthea was already placed behind the low table where the tea service would be set. That wasn’t appropriate. That was the duty of the lady of the house, but she supposed it happened because Zoe had been late.
“My mother should be here any minute,” the duke continued. “But she hates to delay teatime for any reason, so she won’t mind if we drink something now.”
“Your mother?” Zoe asked.
“Yes. She’s coming tonight to dine en famille. Indeed, she wondered if you might consider staying for the meal rather than rushing back to the city.”
“Yes, of course. That sounds lovely.” A lie, but a necessary one. No doubt that the dowager duchess wanted to see if she could act appropriately. She would be judged every second on how she spoke, moved, and ate. It would be a difficult meal, to be sure, but she had been trained from the cradle in how to go on asan elite member of society. She would manage. Meanwhile, she turned to Kynthea. “You don’t mind, do you?”
It was another step in the negotiation. Since Kynthea was her companion, she must naturally stay or not as Zoe decided. But Zoe wanted to make it clear that her cousin was a person, not a servile attachment. She would be respected as she so often had not been during the past two weeks.
“Of course not!” Kynthea said.
Meanwhile at the duke’s nod, a footman stepped out to inform the butler that tea could now be served. A moment later, the butler appeared carrying the tea tray, but he hesitated when he should have set it down. Naturally, the man knew that it should go in front of Zoe, but the duke was quick to solve that problem.
“You don’t mind, do you, Miss Petrelli? Lady Zoe has been working so hard this day, I thought she would enjoy a rest.”
“Of course not,” Kynthea answered, but Zoe perked up at the implied insult.
“I am very hale, Your Grace. I think I can manage pouring a spot of tea.”
“I’m sure you can,” the man returned gently. “Nevertheless, Miss Petrelli? Would you do the honors?”
