Page 37 of The Trouble With Her Duke
Chapter 13
The next day
Lydia left the kitchen after breaking her fast with Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins and the cook. They had invited both her and Annabelle to share breakfast each morning since she had arrived from the dowager’s townhouse. In the intervening, things had been relaxed, and Lydia had created a routine for herself.
The duke had mentioned he planned to check in on the children—supposedly to make sure the children were behaving. It was her experience that boredom stirred misbehavior, and she had no intention to allow the children to become bored.
Lydia consulted her book of lists before returning the small notebook to her pocket. While touring the estate, she made notes of locations and ideas for activities she and the children could do, depending on the weather. The deep pockets Annabelle had created in her dresses were perfect for keeping things with her, like her notebook. She hoped the dowager’s modiste could replicate them in the new dresses the duke insisted she have made.
That he deemed her clothing inappropriate for his children’s governess rankled her—even if she agreed dresses in colors other than grey would make the children more comfortable. Resigned to the task, Lydia planned to select subtle colors—pale yellow, light green, beige, and possibly light blue, deciding these would still allow her to blend into the background.
Approaching the nursery, Lydia noticed the children leaning over something in the corner, whispering. “Children, it’s a sunny day, and we don’t often have such cheerful days in January. Would you like to go outside and have our lesson?” Lydia asked.
Michael shoved something in his pocket—whatever it was, it had Rosie’s full attention. And Mandy stood next to him. Here comes the first test.
“Yes, Miss Hammond,” the twins said together.
“On my tour of the estate, I noticed two beautiful ponies and thought you might enjoy time at the stable. Afterward, we will return to the house, warm up, and have a few lessons,” she said. “Would you enjoy that?”
Michael beamed. “That would be fun!” He nudged Mandy. “You would enjoy that too, right?”
Mandy nodded and looked in Rosie’s direction. “Can we bring her?” Mandy asked. “She doesn’t wish to stay inside, do you, Rosie?”
“Yip, yip,” Rosie barked.
“I don’t see why not. Perhaps you and Mandy can show me some of the things you’ve taught her to do. Jeffery says she is a smart dog,” Lydia said.
“We’ve taught her to fetch and find,” Michael said, standing straighter and puffing out his chest.
“How do you do that?” Lydia asked as they left the nursery.
“Dogs have powerful noses,” Mandy explained. “They find things with their nose.”
“Father showed us how this works. He said Mr. Giles does this with the hunting dogs. That’s why they can find the foxes,” Michael said.
“You give them something to sniff, and they get the smell of it in their head…” said Mandy.
“And they can find it when it’s not there to sniff,” Michael finished.
“Well! I’ll be excited to see this in action!” Lydia said as the three of them, trailed by the small brown puppy, made their way to the stable.
“Miss Hammond,” the stableboy said, greeting the small group. “The children’s ponies are saddled and ready to ride.”
Lydia clapped her hands. “Excellent.” She turned to the children. “Are you ready to show me what you can do? I especially want to see how well you control your mount. If you do well, perhaps we can go for a ride on another day.”
“Uncle Carlton got us these ponies,” Mandy said as the stableboy helped her in the saddle. “He’s father’s friend. Father said I can learn to ride on a saddle like Michael’s once I learn on this one. I’ll get good at it because I dislike this sidesaddle.”
“Many ladies do,” Lydia agreed. “That’s a good offer. Learn it so you can try the other!”
Mandy nodded with a toothy grin and coaxed her pony into the ring.
“I’ll catch up with you, Mandy,” Michael said, hoisting himself in the saddle. “My saddle is a lot easier than my sister’s.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “You’re the only governess that has ever taken us here.”
“Well, I believe everyone needs fresh air and exercise in their day. And that includes the ponies! I’m sure they’ve missed you and Mandy,” Lydia whispered back, pleased to see Michael smile. Perhaps the secret is keeping them engaged in things they enjoy, she thought. No toads yet, but the day is young. She noticed Rosie sitting patiently at the stable door, watching the children ride in the ring. “Jeffrey was right about that dog. She’s smart and observant,” Lydia said to herself.
“Yes, she is,” the duke agreed in a rich baritone, as he joined her to watch.
“Your Grace, you startled me,” Lydia said, silently ordering her heart to stop pounding—certain he’d hear it.
