Page 42 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Contrite Duke
“I would like for the two of you to do another tour of the old hall,” she said. “Make lists of other things that we might have overlooked yesterday so that we can make sure the new teachers will have everything they need to get started.”
Mary nodded, smiling sweetly.
“We would be delighted,” she said. “So, you will be back this evening?”
Lydia nodded.
“I will,” she said. “It shouldn’t take me long at all to get these supplies. Especially with Hester’s help.”
Mary nodded, embracing her friend.
“Well, safe journey,” she said. “Oh, I cannot wait for us to start filling the rooms with the supplies.”
Lydia clapped her hands, feeling much like a giddy child.
“Nor can I,” she said. “And I will order more tomorrow, based on what I am able to retrieve from my parent’s home. Michael is being so generous. This is sure to be a grand school.”
Mary nodded, smiling sweetly at her friend.
“Yes, you have a wonderful husband,” she said. “He cares deeply about the things that are important to you. You are very lucky.”
Lydia smiled, nodding.
“I believe that I am,” she said.
She parted ways with Mary and, with Hester in tow, she headed for the carriage.The carriage awaited her and Hester by the time they exited the front door of Strawbridge Manor. They set off for Tockenham Castle, and Lydia chatted happily away about the potential grandeur of the old hall building, and about how kind and supportive Michael had been.
He had been so attentive and agreeable during their tour that she had been able to let go of her anxiety about his continued delay in coming to her chambers at night. She had almost convinced herself that it was simply shyness and uncertainty that kept him away. She knew she could think of ways to help show Michael that she loved and desired him. And with the school so close to being ready to open and function as she had always dreamed, she would soon have the time to do just that.
And as she was on her way to finally begin fulfilling her lifelong dream, she thought about what Mary had said. Her marital troubles wouldn’t last forever. Michael was warming up to her. And she could help him see how interested in him she was. She was sure of it.
When they arrived at her old home, she waited impatiently as the footman helped her and Hester out of the carriage. Her family’s butler, Coulton, greeted her with fond warmth.
“Lady Strawbridge,” he said, beaming at her. “How lovely to see you. Shall I take you to your parents?”
Lydia shook her head.
“Do tell them that I have arrived,” she said. “But I must go up to the old school room, where I stored all the school supplies I have been saving.”
Coulton bowed and nodded.
“Very good,” he said. “Perhaps, once that is done, you could stay for tea.”
Lydia grinned and nodded.
“That would be lovely,” she said.
With that, the butler disappeared, and Lydia took Hester’s hand. She led her lady’s maid up the stairs, so excited that she nearly tripped herself with her skirts. She and Hester hurried down the hall, nearly bumping into one of her old maids. She blushed again, apologizing profusely as they continued to the old school room. When they reached it, Lydia opened the door and stepped inside.
With newfound joy and sheer determination, Lydia ventured into the room to search for supplies for the school. She put her hands on her hips, surveying all the shelves. There were piles of stationery, colored pencils, chalk, several textbooks and storybooks, charcoals, art supplies and piles of sheet music.
“Where would you like for me to begin, milady duchess?” Hester asked.
Lydia bit her lip, pointing to a middle shelf with fresh stationery and colored pencils.
“Could you start getting those for me?” she asked. “I will need to go through the books. I am sure we can use just about all of them. But I want to be sure.”
Hester nodded, heading straight for the shelf at which Lydia was pointing.
