Page 60 of An Innocent Maid for the Duke
Jake put his drink down with a snap that spoke of irritation. ‘Then, since Rose is as good as family, we can all be comfortable without titles and such.’
Rose’s heart gave an odd little thump.As good as family. How delightful that sounded, yet how foreign. What wouldn’t she give for it to be true. She swallowed. She could not imagine calling the Dowager Duchess by her Christian name. Not for a second. She risked a quick glance at Jacob’s sister and saw that her smile was encouraging.
‘Dinner is served,’ the butler announced.
Jake took his grandmother’s arm and Rose followed Lady Eleanor into the dining room. No, shewouldthink of her as Eleanor, or Jake would be displeased.
Once they were seated, the Dowager at one end, Jake at the other and Rose and Eleanor on each side, the footmen served them their dinner.
‘How was your journey?’ Jake asked. ‘Not too arduous, I hope?’
‘Not at all. Lucy was a treasure. Hardly any complaining at all, but I took Grandmama’s advice and took it in small stages with lots of walks in between. We even visited a couple of castles along the way. The child is fascinated with the idea of knights and maidens in distress. I fear I have read her too many stories.’
They discussed the proper reading for Miss Lucy, speaking of books Rose could only have dreamed of as a child. Some of them sounded wonderful. She wondered if there were any of them in the library. Not that she’d ever dare venture there again. Jake had made it clear it was out of bounds for everyone.
* * *
Towards the end of the meal, Eleanor put down her dessertspoon. ‘Why on earth are we eating in here?’
Jacob’s eyebrows shot up. ‘It may have escaped your notice, sister mine, but this is the dining room.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous, Jake. This room holds forty people. It is like eating in a mausoleum. We should be using the breakfast room, where we always dineden famillewhen Papa was alive.’
In response Jacob’s gaze became frosty, his shoulders stiff.
Her Grace made a face of distaste. ‘Most the rooms in this wing, apart from this one and the drawing room, are under holland covers. Itislike living in a mausoleum. Don’t you agree, Rose?’
‘Many of the rooms are indeed closed up, Your Grace.’ She had asked Jake why it was so and he had shrugged her question off. She certainly wasn’t going to offer her unwanted opinion on it. The Quality did what they did and people like her simply accepted it.
‘What is the point of opening up a lot of rooms when they are never used?’ Jake said.
‘This room won’t do for Lucy, if she is ever to join us for a meal,’ Eleanor said. ‘The poor child will be overwhelmed.’
‘Jake has taken to using the library for his office,’ Her Grace grumbled. She waved off a footman’s offer of dessert, though Jake and Eleanor accepted several of the dishes.
Rose also accepted a small portion on her plate. A lovely fruit pudding and custard. She loved the sweets they served after dinner, but tried not to appear too greedy.
Eleanor took a small bite. ‘The library, Jake? Is there something wrong with the estate office?’ Eleanor sounded scandalised. ‘Is it also true you do not yet sleep in the ducal apartments?’
What would his sister think if she knew he slept either at the V&V or in the bed of his grandmother’s companion? She’d likely be horrified. Rose wanted the floor to open up and swallow her.
Suddenly the dessert tasted like cardboard.
Jacob’s eyes turned bleak. ‘Gossiping with the servants, Eleanor? Isn’t that beneath you?’
Eleanor flushed.
Jake stiffened even more. ‘I beg your pardon, but surely where I sleep is my business.’
‘Never fear, he will take over the ducal suite when he marries,’ Her Grace said with the certainty of old age. Her gaze flickered to Rose and away. ‘His wife will see to it, of that you can be sure.’
For a long moment, Jake stared at his grandmother, his face an expressionless mask. He glanced around the table. ‘If everyone is finished, shall you withdraw, Grandmama?’
Her Grace blinked and smiled vaguely. ‘Tea in the drawing room, ladies?’
Jake helped his grandmother to her feet. The attending footmen assisted Eleanor and Rose with their chairs. Eleanor took her grandmother’s arm.
Jake bowed them out.
