Page 18 of The Trouble With Her Duke
“Dear Lydia, you must remember to call me Sophy,” the dowager reminded Lydia. “We are friends, my dear. And besides, I am no longer your employer.”
“Yes, that goes for the rest of us,” Dora said, laying down a card. “That’s game,” she proudly announced.
“We need to find a game you cannot beat us at,” Bianca said, tossing down her remaining cards.
The Dowager Duchess of Featherly stood and walked over to her to hug her. “Are you sure you don’t want to travel to Brighton with the Golden Duchesses? It’s such a beautiful place to visit during the Christmas holidays,” the dowager asked.
“As tempting as that is, I should go home and spend time with my family. Once the duke returns, I may not have the opportunity for a while,” she explained. It was time to go home. She needed to let her family know about her new post, although now that she knew Blake had business dealings with the Duke of Danforth, she would need to brace herself. Knowing her eldest brother, he would have plenty to say about it.
“Congratulations on your new position,” Dora chimed in. “You are a most impressive and self-possessed young lady. I am certain you will do very well.”
“Thank you, Dora. And I appreciated your glowing referrals,” Lydia said. Although Mrs. Jenkins didn’t tell her exactly what they’d said, Lydia could tell the woman had been impressed.
“I’m just thrilled for you, Lydia,” Rosalind said, clapping her hands gleefully. “I just know my nephew will be pleased, and the children will adore you.” She grinned broadly. “He will owe me!”
“Owe you? I’m afraid I don’t understand,” murmured Lydia.
“You see, dear, the last time I stopped in to see my grandniece and grandnephew, the duke was between governesses. Something about moths eating through the governess’ clothing—that sort of thing. It sounded so appalling, I dared not ask, but I imagine the woman must have enticed them with some sort of—oh! I don’t know—lure.” She pursed her lips and gave a quick shake of her head.
Dora tsked. “Rosalind, moths don’t need to be lured. She probably got moths in with her wool garments. They probably feasted on them.”
“Wool? Really? Well, if that isn’t the strangest aphrodisiac for an insect,” Rosalind said with a shiver.
The other duchesses broke into sudden coughing fits. Lydia bit her lip to keep from laughing. Rosalind had a knack for saying the most outrageous things.
“Dreadful situation,” Rosalind said with a shiver. “Well . . . anyway. I told Damon—my nephew—that I knew someone perfect for the position. And like he always does, he gave me one of those ducal looks—you know what I mean—they look in your direction but are not seeing. As though they know everything. Anyway, he told me he had the replacement well in hand.” She giggled. “And we all know how that worked out.”
A laugh escaped Lydia, and the women all chuckled. “But Your Grace—”
“Rosalind,” the duchess corrected.
“Rosalind, I wouldn’t have left Her Grace two months ago,” Lydia said, glancing at her employer. “I did not know my job would end in two months.”
“And I didn’t know two months ago, I assure you. While we had promised to do this years ago, we had not revisited it until recently,” Sophy put in, patting Lydia’s hand.
“Did you have someone else in mind at the time?” Lydia asked.
“Of course not,” Rosalind replied. “But the duke didn’t know that. My nephew has an annoying habit of being right about everything.” Rosalind rolled her eyes.
“Is His Grace often wrong?” Sophy asked.
“No.” Rosalind screwed up her nose. “But in this, he was very wrong.”
“If you ask me, he’s got a gem with you, dear Lydia!” Bianca gushed. “And those children will be the benefactors of his good fortune. The Jenkinses couldn’t have found a better governess.”
“You’d better get on your way, Lydia. It looks like rain, and you want to make it to the posting house ahead of a storm. We’ve planned for your stay tonight at The Fox and The Hen. It’s a very comfortable inn,” Sophy said, acknowledging Charles, who indicated from the door that the carriage was ready.
“That’s so kind. Thank you,” Lydia replied. She would take care of the cost herself. “Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I should be in London in two days. Thank you for allowing Annabelle to accompany me, although I traveled here without a companion. I should think I could return to London the same way. You’ve already been so kind to allow me your coach,” Lydia said.
“Please allow her to assist you. She’s excellent, as you know, with hair,” the dowager said, touching her coiffure gently. “She wants to be a lady’s maid, and I thought in accompanying you, she could be of help during the holidays.”
“She will be good company on the journey,” Lydia said.
“I told you she would balk,” Dora whispered.
Sophy rolled her eyes at Dora. “My dear, you are not helping,” she whispered back, then turned back to Lydia. “You must allow this,” Sophy said, patting Lydia’s hand. “An excellent job awaits your return. You must be properly escorted.”
“I understand.” Lydia smiled. She didn’t. She doubted the Duke of Danforth cared how she traveled back and forth from Bath. But the duchess had decided. It would be nice to have Annabelle along.
