Page 41 of Her Duke By Accident
CHAPTER 12
At Garvey Manor, time spent outside was time well spent. A table, built for the weather, was on the back porch, with a wide canopy above to block out the sun. Alicia sat across from Ms. Crawford, books and papers spread out between them. Down in the garden, where Renfield moped through the flowerbeds, Lucy picked petals off flowers and Miss Ayles droned on about proper etiquette.
“Mrs. Barker sent some boys on a hunt yesterday afternoon,” Ms. Crawford explained as she wrote the meal list for the upcoming week, “and they returned with more game than expected. Mr. Livingston gave me the reports made by Mr. Dixon during the rent collection, and the yield is better this year than last. Harvest will make everyone excited for winter. What would you like them to do with the surplus, Your Grace?”
Alicia rested her chin on her palm, watching as Lucy rolled in the grass, staining the pale blue dress she wore.
“Are you listening, Your Grace?”
Alicia jumped, turning to look at the housekeeper. “I’m sorry, Ms. Crawford. What did you ask?”
“Where is your mind today, Your Grace?”
With a heavy sigh, Alicia looked back towards the girl. “Nowadays, it’s always elsewhere.”
“What troubles you?”
She hesitated. No one, including the housekeeper, had seemed anywhere near comfortable enough to give her any insight into the duke and his past at Garvey. But the curiosity and yearning to know more nipped at her fingertips. “Ms. Crawford,” Alicia began, “why is the duke so against having a ball?”
The housekeeper laughed. “I assume that means you talked to him about it.”
Alicia huffed. “I’m sure you can imagine how that conversation went.”
“Some families are close knit with their personal life,” Ms. Crawford said. “So much time of the summer season is spent within society, and the only respite is the family home. The duke had to take on his responsibilities earlier than expected, with the passing of his father. He entered society and his title before he was even ready for it. Is it truly hard to understand why the duke responded the way he did?”
“I suppose not,” Alicia muttered, though it was not what she truly believed. “It does not feel as though the duke wants a calm away from the ton. It is like there are things needed to be kept hidden in Garvey.”
Ms. Crawford stiffened as she wrote the meal plan. “There is nothing wrong with?—”
“A private family,” Alicia finished. “I know, Ms. Crawford, you’ve all said it to me.” Standing from the table, she walked toward the edge of the canopy’s shade, watching as Lucy walked alongside her governess through the gardens. “But I am the duchess now, and I truly believe a ball could help Lucy instead of stunting her social growth. If she continues on this path, I fear I can never see her finding a lucrative match to keep her happy and safe.”
“Your Grace.”
She eyed the governess. “And with Miss Ayles, I can’t imagine her getting far at all.”
Ms. Crawford pressed her lips together. “I only pray you don’t do anything too rash, Your Grace. Nothing the duke might consider awfully rude.”
Alicia turned back toward the table, hands held defiantly at her sides. “Ms. Crawford,” she commanded, “wewillbegin to plan a ball for the end of the season.”
“But—”
“We already discussed labor and cost, but I wish to send a letter to Lady Tollock. Heaven knows she is better equipped than I am in such matters.”
Ms. Crawford scoffed, taken aback. “Your Grace, if you would allow me to offer some advice.”
Alicia crossed her arms over her chest. “If you insist upon it.”
“I applaud you for taking action as the duchess,” she began. “It is encouraging to see you step into your role with comfort and ease. It is even better so that you want to have a role in Lucy’s debut. But I would take heed in the fact that the duke has firmly said no to this venture.”
“I understand, Ms. Crawford.”
“I do not wish to tell you to have patience,” the housekeeper continued, “for I know you have heard it plenty enough already, but you are not from here.”
Alicia sighed, the words resting heavily on her chest. “I know that.”
“You do not know the memories that walk these halls.”
They met each other’s gaze.
