Page 35 of Her Duke By Accident
“Tell me, Ms. Crawford,” Alicia began, defiantly. “How long have you been employed here at Garvey?”
Mrs. Crawford was so taken aback by the question that she opened and closed her mouth like a fish, unable to find any words to say for a moment. “Since before the duke was born, Your Grace.”
“Thatisquite a while,” she said.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“So, tell me again why you can’t explain the duke’s constant need to be away from his home?” Alicia gestured over her shoulder to Lucy. “From his family?”
Ms. Crawford visibly bristled, her wrinkly cheeks turning a shade of amber. “It is not a trend specific to the duke. All societal men find their business leads them to London in the summer, whether it be Parliament or their sales. Bachelors live in their Mayfair lodgings till a wife is secured.” She took a deep breath, seemingly satisfied with her explanation. “Thatis why the duke spends his time away.”
Alicia stared at her silently for a moment. “Tonight, I will give you the satisfaction of not giving me a truthful answer.”
“Your Grace?—”
She raised her hand to quiet the housekeeper. “I know I come into this home as a stranger, but how long do you expect me to be patient, when the rest of my life will be spent in these halls? How long can the duke expect me to be docile about it?”
“Patience is a virtue,” Ms. Crawford whispered. “If that is all, Your Grace,” she said as she bowed her head to Alicia, turning back on her heel and walking back inside Garvey Manor.
Alicia sighed. “I suppose,” she called out to Lucy and the governess, “it will just be the three of us this evening.”
“Don’t look so glum, Alicia,” Lucy chided playfully.
“You have been away,” she said. “Don’t you want to spend time with your brother?”
It was the governess who approached her, lifting her skirts as she went up the stairs. “Your Grace,” she began, “not all families of aristocratic society were blessed with the love that forged your own.”
“What?”
Miss Ayles looked over her shoulder at her. “Everyone knows the rare love story that filled the Egerton house,” she said. “You think my mother never turned, thinking no one could hear her when she muttered how jealous she was of Lady Egerton?”
Alicia felt stunned, unable to say anything.
“It is not your fault, Your Grace,” Miss Ayles said as she turned to face her. “But it is your fault for not acknowledging that what you were blessed with was, in fact, a blessing.”
Alicia met her eyes, feeling like a fool. “I–I apologize.”
Both Lucy and the governess looked surprised.
“What for?” Lucy asked, taking her hand.
“It was… ignorant of me to think it was the same everywhere,” Alicia explained. “My parents were lucky, and a rarity. I would be better if I understood that.”
Lucy suddenly wrapped her arms around the duchess, squeezing her into a warm embrace. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Maybe we can have a family like that now.”
Alicia embraced the young lady back, smelling the sweet spring breeze and thanking fate for bringing Lucy into her life. Even if her husband would not be around, at least she had that beautiful light to guide her through the secrets and mystery of Garvey Manor.
CHAPTER 11
Mr. Livingston, stout and pinch-faced, set three more letters enclosed with a waxed stamp on the duke’s desk. “More messages, Your Grace,” the butler said, “from the House of Lords. It seems this new Season of Parliament is in need of your expertise.”
Matthew sighed, leaning back in the chair that creaked with age. After spending the day in London, returning to Garvey that morning, he was only left with more work to be done. “I don’t have time for Parliament.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if theymadeyou more time, Your Grace.”
“Very funny, Mr. Livingston.” Matthew leaned back forward, looking over the paperwork in preparation for the upcoming tax collection. “Was that all to arrive?”
“No, Your Grace,” the butler replied, setting a few more envelopes down on the desk. “Lady Tollock has sent another letter, as well as some lords from the clubs they respectively sponsor.”
