Page 36 of The Trouble With Her Duke
“We want to be helpful and will be happy to assist you in any way possible. We all adore Lydia . . . Miss Hammond,” she continued. “I would be happy to pen a note to the modiste and help guide the selections—if you know what I mean.”
He chuckled. “Perhaps you can help me there. I don’t think Miss Hammond thought too much of my request. If you could see your way to helping her select the dresses—maybe accompanying her to the modiste—I would be in your debt. I’m afraid she will try to put it off.”
“Or select the faintest color,” Bianca said before sipping her tea.
“We shall see that doesn’t happen,” Sophy said with a wink. “Won’t we, girls?”
The four nodded.
“Your Graces, you have made me feel much more confident with my sense of direction on this. May I speak with Miss Hammond concerning the maid and get back to you?” he asked.
“Certainly! May I refresh your tea?” Sophy asked.
He held up his hand and smiled. “No, Your Grace. I would love to stay longer, but I have a prior engagement I should get to.” He stood. “Your Graces, thank you all for your sincere recommendations for Miss Hammond. It’s only been a day, but I’m pleased by what I’ve noticed.” He turned to his aunt. “Thank you, Rosalind, for thinking of me in my hour of need.”
“Of course, my dear! Isn’t that what meddling aunts do? If there is anything else you feel we can help with, let us know,” Rosalind said with a twinkle in her cornflower eyes.
He laughed and kissed her on the cheek. “Please come for a visit, Rosalind.” He looked up at the rest. “Let me amend that invitation to include all of you. The children and I would love to have you—such wonderful aunts.”
The duchesses clapped and giggled. “We will take you up on that, Your Grace,” Sophy said.
* * *
“Liam, take me to the club, please,” Damon said, getting into his coach, feeling cheered and optimistic about things with a new governess for the first time…ever. It was clear the four duchesses had high regard for Miss Hammond and felt she was right for the job. The Golden Duchesses were a powerful alliance, he realized. Rosalind, who had been Aimee’s aunt, was a lighthearted but savvy woman. She wanted what was best for the children. He planned to consider their suggestions. Since his mother had also made some of the same suggestions, he felt sure they would move everything in a good direction.
As his carriage lurched forward, Damon laughed out loud, recalling the spirited banter, particularly between Dora and Bianca. The four women were an odd grouping, but their lifelong friendship was well-known and admired. Oddly, their lively exchange had made him feel accepted.
Damon entered Carlton Coleman’s office and startled his friend, who was standing on a ladder, shelving several books on a high shelf behind his desk.
“Damon, I hadn’t expected you, but I’m very glad to see you,” Carlton said, gripping his ladder.
“I should have knocked to warn you, instead of just walking in. Truth is, I just left your mother and her friends,” Damon said, pouring himself a drink and seating himself across from Richmond’s desk.
Carlton chortled. “You met with the Golden Duchesses? What a unique group of ladies! I never know what they are going to say—especially Bianca, the Duchess of Leighton.”
“That one’s entertaining! I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.”
“What did they summon you for?”
“Summon me? That’s exactly what they did,” Damon said, laughing. “They wanted to school me about my new governess. It was sweet of them to do. They like Miss Hammond and want her to succeed.”
“You hired someone? Did I hear you say, Miss Hammond? As in the young woman you ran into a month ago?” Carlton hooted. “I need to hear more.” He poured himself a drink and took his seat. “Leave nothing out.”
Damon smirked and held up his hands. “I had nothing to do with the hire. The Jenkinses hired her in my absence. I had given them leave to decide, as my own decisions had not proven the best. And she came with solid references from all four of the Golden Duchesses!”
Carlton leaned back. “Mother said nothing about it. How odd.”
“Perhaps because we are best friends, she would probably have assumed you knew,” Damon said, swirling the dregs of his drink in his glass.
“Or maybe because they have been involved in moving in together here in town. Something about a promise they made years ago. If they all became widows, they would move in together.” Carlton laughingly shook his head. “Bath’s most powerful female alliance supported the hire. This could work.”
Except I cannot get her off my mind. “Mmm,” Damon said, distractedly sipping his drink. “I’m hoping so.” While he tried to act nonchalant, Damon was eager for it to work—for his children’s benefit. Not because of my attraction, he assured himself.
“She’s certainly not the same as the ones before her,” Carlton noted with a rueful smile.
“You’re right about that. I’m hopeful this time the governess will work out for us,” Damon said. “As I think about it, perhaps I should return home before my children create a blaze of their own. This is my governess’ second day,” Damon said.
Carlton hooted. “I have a funny feeling the children have met their match. Give Mandy and Michael my love and tell them Uncle Carlton will see them soon.”
