Page 13 of The Trouble With Her Duke
Chapter 4
The next day
“You come highly recommended, Miss Hammond,” Mrs. Jenkins said, pouring Lydia a cup of tea and offering her a plate of cinnamon biscuits. “The Dowager Duchesses of Featherly, Leighton, Richmond, and Glanville, who, as you know, is the Duke of Danforth’s aunt by marriage, have all vouched for you with sterling recommendations.”
Lydia took a sip of tea to fortify herself. “The Dowager Duchess of Featherly has been very good to me. And her friends are as kind and admirable as she is. I have enjoyed working for the dowager and shall miss her dearly”—Lydia stopped herself, realizing she might sound too wistful about leaving the duchess’s employ and not enthusiastic enough about the governess position—pointing her index finger in the air, she quickly added, “But I am most definitely looking forward to embarking on this new challenge.”
Mrs. Jenkins took a sip of tea and regarded Lydia in silence for a moment. “I assume the duchess filled you in on this post.”
“She did,” Lydia replied. She smiled at the older woman, hoping she came across as confident but not conceited.
“Good. Good.” Mrs. Jenkins looked left and right and then leaned forward as though about to impart a secret. “I must speak candidly. The duke’s children are very loving. But they have not taken to having a governess.”
Lydia leaned in as well. “I am aware of the children’s . . . fondness for amphibians and proclivity for mischief. I have three older brothers and, growing up, I experienced all manner of surprises. As the youngest in my family and the only girl, I learned to fend for myself early on.” She gave a firm nod. “And may I add, I’ve learned a few tricks along the way.”
“You will be tested, I assure you.” The silver-haired woman gave a wry smile. “But it’s refreshing to know you’ve developed a sense of humor about such things.”
Lydia gave an astute nod. “I have.”
The housekeeper heaved a sigh. “I think you are just what we need. Oh, I should inform you, Miss Hammond, that His Grace and the children have departed for Scotland.”
“You mean I won’t get to meet the children?” Lydia blurted.
Mrs. Jenkins tilted her head as though in sympathy. “I realize how unusual this is, but I’m afraid it cannot be helped. You won’t meet the family until they return after Christmas. Your position will begin the day after Twelfth Night. On the other hand, this gives you time to spend with your own family and rest before you embark on this new challenge,” she said with a smile, echoing Lydia’s earlier use of that phrase.
Lydia took a bite of the biscuit and complimented Mrs. Jenkins on the delicious flavor as she contemplated the merit of the older woman’s suggestion. It would give her time to become accustomed to the new role and—even though visiting her family in London usually meant very little relaxation. She knew the reaction her brothers would have to her news. Taking another sip of the bracing tea, Lydia said, “The dowager duchess mentioned the duke has family in Scotland.”
“Yes, his mother’s family lives there.” Mrs. Jenkins paused. “The dowager duchess splits her time between Scotland and London since the passing of her husband.”
Mr. Jenkins, the butler, joined them. “Miss Hammond, would you care for a tour of the house?”
“Yes. That would be lovely,” Lydia replied, feeling somewhat deflated. She had gotten the job but would have liked to have met the children. The duke was another matter. Yes, he was handsome. Very handsome. But that was neither here nor there, she reminded herself sternly. She would spend most of her time with the children, not their father. Nor did she have a good impression of His Grace, given her impromptu run-in with him the other day. Although he had promised to have her watch repaired, it would not have needed repairing had he not crushed it beneath his boot! Besides, judging from the gossip she’d overheard from the Golden Duchesses, the Duke of Danforth had a mistress in London—and possibly a mistress in Bath, and no doubt one in Scotland!
Lydia brought her mind back into focus as Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins showed her almost every room in the massive home. Lydia tried not to stare agog at everything she saw. Rich Aubusson carpets covered the floors, adding to the quiet appeal of common rooms with high ceilings, skillfully decorated by master artisans.
“We’ll have the estate manager take you on a tour of the grounds at a later date,” Mr. Jenkins promised as they entered the children’s quarters.
The nursery was stunning. Murals with scenes from fairytales and nursery rhymes covered some walls. Twin beds rested on one side of the room, and the rest of the room featured a small instruction area that was also used for meals, as well as a larger play area. One plush, colorful carpet covered the floor of the massive room.
“The children appear to be close siblings,” Lydia observed, noticing the rudimentary tent the twins had erected over their joined beds using several sheets.
Mrs. Jenkins smiled. “Yes. His Grace often comes in at night and reads Michael and Amanda a story in their ‘secret fort,’” she said, pointing to the small wooden chair in front of the tent.
Lydia asked, “How often?”
“Pardon me?” Mrs. Jenkins asked.
“The duke. How often does His Grace read to the children?” Lydia’s heart squeezed at the thought of the duke joining his children under the makeshift tent and reading to them.
Mrs. Jenkins exchanged an arched look with her husband.
“When he’s not away tending to his various ventures or estate matters, he reads to them every night, Miss Hammond,” Mr. Jenkins replied with a grin. “If the tent is up, he joins them there. If not, His Grace hunkers down on the floor between their beds.”
“The children adore their father,” Mrs. Jenkins added. “Would you like to see your quarters?”
“Yes, I would,” Lydia replied. “And thank you for the tour and for sharing all of this with me,” she added, gesturing to the adorable makeshift fort.
Mr. Jenkins excused himself as Mrs. Jenkins showed her to her quarters. Lydia could not help but muse over this most unexpected revelation about the duke.
