Page 29 of The Trouble With Her Duke
“Yes, miss. It was time to make some changes. Mr. Jenkins thought some alterations to the room were in order and took advantage of the holiday. We hope you enjoy a brighter room.”
The room was a pale shade of yellow with two ivory upholstered chairs in front of the fireplace. Built-in bookshelves flanked each side of the fireplace, giving her plenty of room to store her things. A comforter of soft yellow with round ivory and yellow pillows covered an enormous bed. The floor had a thick floral carpet covering the dark wood. This room was wonderful! “It’s lovely!” Lydia said. “I’m sure I’ll be quite comfortable. Thank you.”
“Wonderful! The duke told us to do whatever we thought we needed. If you need anything else, please let me know,” Mrs. Jenkins said.
“I cannot imagine asking for another thing! I’m sure I’ll be very comfortable.
Except, would you mind if I took Peter up on his offer to show me the property?”
“Certainly! Lunch is flexible, so let me know when you’d like it. Dinner is at seven. Please spend the day however you’d like,” Mrs. Jenkins said.
“When do you expect His Grace?” Lydia asked, doing her best to quell her nerves. She wanted to be ready.
“We received word that he is expected to return late tomorrow, so you may not meet him until the next day. I shall keep you advised.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins.” Lydia thought of something else. “The children. Do they eat in the nursery or with their father?”
“That’s an excellent question. Normally, they eat in their nursery. But sometimes, His Grace wishes for them to eat in the dining room. He feels it helps guide expectations and lets them see the grownup world—but hopes it helps them appreciate their world more, while they are young enough to enjoy it.”
“That is a very thoughtful approach,” Lydia said. The duke was a very unusual man—at least with his children. He seemed to value his time with them, reading to them at night in a sheet tent and eating with them at dinner.
“His Grace is a devoted father,” Mrs. Jenkins said, reading Lydia’s thoughts. “The children adore him.”
“The duchess says he is one of a kind,” Lydia said, grinning.
Mrs. Jenkins gave a knowing smile. “That’s a good way to describe him.”
“I created lesson plans for the first two weeks—primarily activities and lessons that will enable me to get to know the children. But the last thing I want to do is step on His Grace’s toes if there are activities he prefers to do with his children. Can you think of anything else you think I should know?”
Mrs. Jenkins thought for a moment. “He prefers their governess take them shopping for clothing. His valet does all the shopping for His Grace, and he finds himself at sixes and sevens in the milliners and modiste shops. Occasionally, their great aunt, the Duchess of Featherly, takes them, and they enjoy that tremendously.”
Now that she mentioned it, Lydia recalled the dowager taking her great-niece and great-nephew shopping when Lydia first came to work for her. She hadn’t accompanied them, but it gave her an idea. She took a deep breath. I’m as ready as I will ever be.
Chapter 10
Twelfth Night
As Damon’s small entourage pulled into the drive for his country estate, he quickly assessed the situation. His head hurt. He needed a bath. There was the matter of meeting the governess, and she was to start tomorrow, according to Mr. Jenkins’ missive. Rosie needed to be walked. And the children needed to be tucked into bed. But not necessarily in that order. He inhaled a long, steadying breath. It had been a long and exhausting trip, but the happy smiles on his sleeping children’s faces reassured him the last month’s break in Scotland had been worthwhile.
When the coach stopped, a footman tapped lightly on the window before opening the door. “The bags are being taken inside, Your Grace. Is there anything else you need?”
Thankfully, the dog didn’t bark. Instead, she lifted her head and then laid it back down. “How are you with dogs, Jeffrey? Rosie needs to be fed and walked, and I’d be appreciative if you could handle that for me.”
“I would be happy to help with her, Your Grace.”
He cleared his throat. “The dog belongs to the children, Jeffrey. I intend they take responsibility for it. But until we can get their training complete, I would appreciate your help.”
Taking Rosie’s red leash, the footman nodded. “I understand, Your Grace, and am happy to assist.”
In the distance, Damon heard Jeffrey sweet-talking Rosie. “Right this way, little girl.” A few seconds later, he heard, “Good girl!” Damon smiled. Jeffrey had a way with animals. He would see that Michael and Mandy took care of the dog, but when he needed some help, it was nice to know Jeffrey could provide it. Minutes later, Jeffrey returned with Rosie. “She’s an obedient dog, Your Grace. I don’t believe it will take too long to train her.”
He picked up Mandy and carried her upstairs to the nursery. As he arrived in the nursery, he walked in and noticed the glow of a small lamp in the corner. Jeffrey was behind him, carrying Michael. “Thank you, Jeffrey,” he whispered, pointing to the bed on the left. He noticed the maid had turned the coverlets down on both beds. Leaning over, he placed Mandy on her bed and gave her a tender kiss on her forehead. Her gentle snores assured him he had been successful at not waking her. Once Jeffrey left the room, Damon kissed Michael on the cheek. Then he reached over and turned off the lamp.
Backing from the room, Damon closed the door and looked into the violet-blue eyes of the young woman his staff had hired as governess.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace. I heard your carriages arrive and wanted to help settle the children.”
“That’s very kind of you, Miss Hammond, but I think we have most things done,” Damon replied.
