Page 52 of Dark Tidings on the Thames
“I returned to the Great Exhibition with my daughters, specifically because I wished for them to see you and the few other women exhibitors.” She smiled. “You were their favorite by far.”
“I am flattered.”
“They did enjoy the bubbling water, though. And the bears andelephants and such. Butthis…” The Duchess of Rowledge gestured toward the new plans. “Oh, my youngest would delight in this.”
“The client who commissioned it has a fascination with the old folk tales.”
“I imagine you meet a great many interesting people in your work as an artist. Again, I am impressed. We have read about some of your exploits in the papers, of course. I am very thankful to be able to point to you as an example to my girls.”
Kara made a sound of protest.
“No. It’s true. You are a woman of intelligence and taste. You have managed to live a life far beyond the high walls that Society has tried so hard to place around most gentlewomen. And you have done it while maintaining the grace and decorum of a true lady.”
Kara laughed. “I hate to disappoint you, Your Grace, but there are more than a few people about who would disagree with that.”
“Pssh.” The duchess waved a hand. “Jealous, the lot of them. And perhaps their greatest envy comes from your choice of husband.”
Kara let a smile curve across her face. “I cannot blame them, there.”
“There are more than a few rumors that you knew about the duke’s bloodlines before they were revealed.”
“They may say what they like in order to make themselves feel better,” Kara told her. “But I did not know.” She made a face. “Not until it was too late.” She indicated a pair of chairs next to a small table at the unlit hearth. “I had already fallen in love. Honestly, I wasn’t happy at all when he was asked to take up his title, but it has all worked out well enough, I suppose.”
The other woman looked thoughtful as she took the seat. She looked around the room. “This is your private study?” She glanced around at the collection of books, an assortment of Kara’s early automatons, the comfortable furniture and colorful art. “I knew your mother, you know. She was a leader of thetonwhen I made my debut.She was kind to me. I always hoped to see Bluefield Park. It’s even more beautiful than I imagined.”
“In large part due to her,” Kara said. “My mother worked hard to improve the estate. I have made a few changes, but mostly I just perform upkeep on her work.”
The duchess raised a brow. “And what would your mother think of your bonny, braw duke of a husband?”
The unexpected question brought sudden tears to Kara’s eyes. She refused to let them fall. “She would love him, as he would adore her.”
“From what I know of him, I believe you are right.” The duchess leaned forward. “Your marriage is another thing I point out to my girls as something to emulate, for you have done what so few of us have. You have found yourself a husband who supports you in your art, and in your independent ways when it comes to handling your family businesses and fortune.” Her mouth twitched. “As well as in yourotherendeavors.”
A chuckle bubbled up and out of Kara. “Our adventures are not all due to me and my pursuits, no matter what whispers you might hear.”
“I believe you,” the duchess said. “I also know that you are very fortunate in having such a supportive husband.”
Kara heard the stark truth behind the words—a sad truth about the lady’s own husband. “I see.”
“It is very easy to see. I am a duchess with four daughters and no sons. I am a failure.”
“Surely not,” Kara objected, a shiver running up and down her spine.
“In my husband’s eyes, at least,” the duchess said calmly. “Our nephew is my husband’s heir. He’s a perfectly charming young man, but the duke despises him, nonetheless. Almost as much as he despises me, and he becomes more furious with me with each passing year.”
“I’m sorry,” Kara whispered.
“You understand, then, why I hope my girls will look around withclear eyes and not allow themselves to be dazzled by rank and fortunes.” The duchess nodded. “Fortunately, I think they will. They see how resentful and vindictive their father is. How he hates everything I do that is not dedicated solely to his comfort or ambitions.”
“He does not approve of your work with the Waif’s Wardrobe, then?”
“He rails against it. Or he used to.”
Kara stilled at the ominous tone the other lady used, but Turner came in with a tea tray at that moment. She poured, and once Turner had gone, she looked to the other woman over the rim of her cup. “Something changed in your husband’s attitude about the charity?”
“It did. It was last year that we grew large enough to purchase the building on Bedford. Once we settled in, we attracted more attention, more volunteers. We began to grow again, and quickly. It became clear we needed a manager to see to the overall organization, to keep it all moving smoothly so that we may help the largest number of the needy.”
“Is that when you hired Mr. Royston?”
