Page 78 of Her Duke By Accident
“I wouldn’t know.”
“And you’ll never know till you walk out that door,” Juliet said as she pointed to the bedroom’s exit. “Do not let something so beautiful, like connecting with your husband, be forgotten about over an insecurity.”
Alicia stared at her hands. “I fear I am not enough for him.”
Reaching across her lap, Juliet grasped onto Alicia’s hands. “You are more than enough, Your Grace,” she said with a widening smile. “You are kind and nurturing. You came into Garvey knowing nothing of it’s past, and still accepted it with open arms. YousavedLady Lucy. Do not think yourself to be less than what you are.”
Alicia squeezed the maid’s hands. “You are something special yourself, Juliet.”
The girl grinned, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink in the morning light. “Why don’t you go for breakfast, Your Grace?”
“Alright,” she whispered. “Thank you, Juliet.”
“Of course, Your Grace,” the maid said with a small bow.
Alicia smiled at the girl one more time before she rose from the bed, a confidence burrowing itself deep within her heart. She left the room without looking back, letting the rush of excitement for her future with the duke propel her through Garvey’s winding halls.
In the dining room where they usually took breakfast, Alicia practically jumped inside, a wild smile on her lips. With wide eyes, she searched the room for Matthew, but only saw the frowning governess poised beside the window. Alicia could feel the fire diminish from within her, but breathed in deeply, willing herself to hold onto hope.
“Good morning, Miss Ayles,” she called out to her.
The governess lazily bowed her head. “Your Grace.”
“Are you well?”
“As well as I can be,” she replied with a placid smile. Finally noticing Alicia’s unbridled excitement, Miss Ayles narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Good lord, Your Grace, you’ve got a smile as big as London on your face.”
Alicia laughed breathlessly. “Very funny, Miss Ayles. It’s just a splendid day.”
“Is it?” Miss Ayles glanced out the window again. “It’s quite cloudy, Your Grace.”
Another laugh pulled itself out of Alicia, this time more from nerves. The adrenaline of her excitement began to fade into a ball of anxiety. “Have you seen the duke yet this morning?”
“Not yet, Your Grace.”
“Well,” Alicia said with a shrug, “perhaps he got caught in some business.”
Miss Ayles nodded. “He normally does.”
Alicia pressed her lips together, sensing that the governess did not seem to be in a mood for polite conversations. She ached for Lucy to be near, for the girl’s brightness to calm the storm raging within her mind.
“Have you seen Lucy yet?”
“The lady refuses to wake since she’s trapped in bed,” the governess complained. “Apparently for her, it’s just more time to sleep.”
Alicia chuckled. “I’m not surprised.”
“Would you care for a cup of tea, Your Grace?” Miss Ayles asked as she walked to the table.
“Yes, thank you, Miss Ayles.”
As the governess prepared two cups, Alicia held her hands behind her back, fidgeting and pulling at the end of her braid. She tried to remember Juliet’s words as she stood there in silence.
Do not think yourself to be less than what you are.
“Here you are, Your Grace,” Miss Ayles said while handing her a delicate blue cup that sat on a matching saucer.
Alicia gladly grasped it, taking a hurried sip while it still steamed. “Thank you,” she muttered with a burnt tongue.
