Page 34 of Duke of Silver
“I’ve found a girl to permanently fill the position of your lady’s maid,” Mrs. Ryton announced. “She’s in the drawing room. Perhaps you’d like to assess her now?”
Elizabeth nodded, grateful for the distraction. “Very well,” she replied, following the housekeeper out.
Elizabeth welcomed the distraction of something—anything—other than her husband.
“This is Miss Lydia Harper, Your Grace,” Mrs. Ryton introduced. “She comes with excellent recommendations from the Merrifield estate in Dorset.”
Elizabeth nodded, gesturing for the girl to take a seat. Lydia Harper, though young, held herself with an air of calmness that Elizabeth immediately noted. Her brown frock was neat and modest, and her hands—though clasped tightly—did not tremble.
“Miss Harper,” Elizabeth began, “I understand you have experience as a lady’s maid. Tell me about your duties at Merrifield.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Lydia replied with a slight smile. “I was lady’s maid to Miss Merrifield for three years. I attended to her dressing, her correspondence, and her daily needs. I also ensured her wardrobe was properly cared for and managed. I often traveled with her when she visited family in the north.”
Elizabeth tilted her head slightly, impressed by the young woman’s clarity and poise. “And why did you leave the Merrifield household?”
Lydia’s eyes flickered briefly with what Elizabeth assumed was hesitation before she replied. “Miss Merrifield recently married, Your Grace, and her new household already had an established lady’s maid. She was kind enough to recommend me for new employment.”
“I see,” Elizabeth said, nodding thoughtfully. She liked that the girl was straightforward in her answers. “And are you comfortable managing various tasks beyond what you mentioned?”
“Very much so, Your Grace. I am quite organized, and I take pride in keeping a steady schedule for my mistress,” Lydia replied with quiet confidence.
Elizabeth glanced at Mrs. Ryton, who gave a small nod of approval. “Miss Harper, I believe you shall do well here.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Lydia said, rising and curtsying. “I will do my utmost to meet your expectations.”
“Mrs. Ryton will acquaint you with the routines of the household.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Lydia replied, standing with another graceful curtsy.
After Miss Harper had left the room with Mrs. Ryton, Elizabeth took a deep breath, feeling better. It had been a smalldistraction, but one she had needed. “I shall miss Esther, but she will do well.”
“I am glad she is up to your standards, Your Grace,” Mrs. Ryton replied, her tone respectful and neutral.
Elizabeth smiled faintly. She certainly wasn’t accustomed to demanding much from a maid, and the idea of high expectations felt almost foreign.
“Mrs. Ryton,” Elizabeth called out as the housekeeper made to leave.
“Yes, Your Grace?” Mrs. Ryton paused, waiting attentively.
“We shall be hosting the Marquess of Broughton for dinner tomorrow evening,” Elizabeth announced, feeling the need to make herself useful, if only in the smallest of ways.
“Very well, Your Grace. I shall have cook draw up a menu for your sampling and assessment,” Mrs. Ryton replied smoothly, offering a slight curtsy before she took her leave.
Sleep eluded Elizabeth that night. Her thoughts were tempestuous. She had entered this union out of necessity, and yet... something lingered between her and Alexander that unsettled her in ways she couldn’t quite explain.
Finally, unable to endure the silence of her chambers any longer, she rose from her bed, wrapped a dressing dress around hershoulders, and slipped quietly into the dimly lit hallways. The manor was asleep, and she moved toward the library, hoping to find a book to calm her restless mind.
As she pushed open the heavy mahogany doors, she was met with the faint glow of candlelight—and the unexpected sight of Alexander, seated in an armchair by the hearth, a book open on his lap. His dark hair was slightly tousled, his posture was relaxed as he read, and he did not appear to be aware of her presence.
Elizabeth hesitated, unsure whether to retreat or announce herself. But the quiet of the room and the sight of him there, alone, drew her in. She cleared her throat softly, and his gaze lifted from the book, surprise flashing across his face.
“Elizabeth,” he said, the quiet of the room emphasizing the rich timbre of his voice. “I did not expect to see you wandering the manor at this hour.”
She managed a small smile, stepping further into the room. “Nor did I expect to find you here, Your Grace. I was... unable to sleep.”
His brow lifted slightly, a hint of amusement in his expression. “You have come in search of a book to remedy that, I presume?”
She nodded, moving toward the shelves, her fingers lightly trailing over the spines of the books. “I thought perhaps reading might help.”
