Page 30 of Her Duke By Accident
Ms. Crawford moved aside for Alicia to get a better look. “These,” she said with a gesture, “are the late duchess’s prized roses.”
Alicia reached, touching the petals and thorns. “They are beautiful.”
“Yes,” she said. “And overgrown.”
“Overgrown?”
“Look at the vines, Your Grace,” Ms. Crawford said.
The flowers were beginning to be crowded by weeds and vines, and looked more like a wild part of the garden rather than one that was taken care of.
“Has no one been down here since she passed?”
“The duke,” Ms. Crawford began, lowering her voice, “used to visit quite regularly.”
“What happened?”
Ms. Crawford lightly laughed. “Well, he became the duke.”
Alicia held one of the blossomed roses, the fragrant smell filling her senses with a sense of comfort, as though the late duchess had a guiding hand on her shoulder. She turned, meeting the uncomfortable gaze of the housekeeper. “Might I ask you something, Ms. Crawford?”
“Of course, Your Grace,” she swiftly replied, even though her eyes gave a different answer.
Alicia turned toward her. “Why doesn’t anyone talk about Lucy?”
There was silence for a moment.
Ms. Crawford swallowed. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace.”
“She will have her debut in society soon,” Alicia continued. “Why is that not the focus of the duke?”
An obvious discomfort took over the housekeeper. She shifted in her stance, holding her arms behind her back as she avoided meeting Alicia’s gaze. “Lady Lucy is a fine young lady.”
“That is not what I asked.”
“There are some things,” Ms. Crawford said with a lowered voice, “that remain unanswered.”
Alicia felt a surge of confidence suddenly. “Am I not to run this household, Ms. Crawford?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Ms. Crawford replied with a bow. “Buthehas been the duke longer. Do not try to pry open doors that are not yet meant for you.”
Before Alicia could pressure the housekeeper to reveal more, Ms. Crawford opened the gate to leave the secluded section of the garden, and gestured for Alicia to follow.
“This way, Your Grace,” Ms. Crawford said.
The pair left the gardens in an uncomfortable silence, with Renfield watching at the front gate. He shut it behind them, flicking the lock and tipping his hat. Alicia watched over her shoulder as they reentered the manor, with more questions than before swimming through her mind.
Now in solitude, Alicia walked the halls of Garvey Manor to get better acquainted with its mazes. Besides, after her trip to the garden left her with more grueling questions than answers, Alicia felt the need to spend time in her own thoughts, where she knew what to expect.
She walked alone for around ten minutes before sounds came from the front of Manor. Unable to quench her curiosity, Alicia made her way to the front door.
Servants awaited guests at the door, carrying in bags of luggage and taking them to another part of the manor, one where Alicia had not yet ventured.
“Stop fretting, brother,” a young woman’s airy voice carried throughout the room, “I planned on returning anyways. Rain ruined my fun at Mayfair.”
“Don’t you love the rain?”
The girl laughed. “I might, but my senses do not!”
