Page 34 of Duke of Gold
The older woman looked up, her expression unreadable as always. “Your Grace,” she acknowledged with a small nod, her hands folding neatly over the open book on the desk.
Margaret squared her shoulders, determined to maintain her composure. “What happened to the Duke? He was entirely unresponsive—lost. I demand to know what that was.”
Mrs. Hallewell’s gaze didn’t falter, but a flicker of something—hesitation, perhaps—crossed her face. “I cannot say much on this matter, Your Grace,” she said evenly, her voice calm but firm. “But I do suggest you redirect your queries to the Duke.”
Margaret’s hands clenched into fists at her sides, the cool professionalism of the response only stoking her frustration. “You expect me to question him about something he cannot even recall happening?” she asked, her tone sharp. “He did not even recognize me, Mrs. Hallewell. Surely you must see why I am askingyou.”
The housekeeper didn’t answer immediately, her silence stretching thin over the room. Margaret exhaled slowly, reining in her temper. Pressing further would likely yield nothing but resistance, she realized, and so, with great effort, she shifted tactics.
“One last question,” she said, her voice softening as she turned toward the door. She paused, her hand resting on the handle. “Has this happened before?”
Mrs. Hallewell’s hands twitched, a brief, involuntary motion that didn’t escape Margaret’s notice.
“And I want utter honesty , Mrs. Hallewell,” Margaret added, her gaze steady as she turned back to face the older woman. Her tone lacked its usual brightness, replaced with a gravity that felt unfamiliar even to her.
The housekeeper regarded her for a long moment, her lips pressing into a thin line. Finally, she inclined her head slightly, a reluctant acknowledgment. “Yes, it has, Your Grace. ”
CHAPTER 17
“Where is the Duke, Barrow?” Peggy asked as she approached the butler.
Barrow dipped his head respectfully. “His Grace is occupied, Your Grace. Either in meetings with his steward or solicitor, or on his estate rounds.”
Peggy’s lips tightened slightly at the reply.Vague, as always,she thought. “Thank you, Barrow,” she said, though her voice betrayed a thread of disappointment.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that Morgan was intentionally avoiding her. It had been two days since the night she found him frozen before the shelf, and in all that time, he had remained unseen. Was it guilt? Did he know she had been the one to find him in that unsettling state? Or perhaps it was something else entirely.
Her unease only deepened with the nagging suspicion that the servants might be withholding the truth from her. Their impeccable politeness seemed almost conspiratorial, as though the entire household shared some secret she was not meant to uncover.
Still, two afternoons after that strange, fateful night, Peggy found herself grateful for the distraction of unexpected callers. Lady Aleshire and Mrs. Pattons arrived without notice, their familiar faces a welcome relief from the stifling atmosphere of the castle.
“Oh, pardon our unannounced call, Your Grace,” the two women echoed as they settled into the drawing room, their manners as polished as ever.
Peggy smiled warmly, gesturing for the tea to be served. “It is no trouble at all,” she assured them, taking her seat. “Your company is always welcome.”
Once the tea was poured and pleasantries exchanged, Lady Aleshire set her cup down and straightened in her chair. Peggy noticed the faintest hint of hesitation in the woman’s demeanor, a contrast to her usual self-assuredness.
“Well,” Lady Aleshire began, smoothing a hand over her skirts as she exchanged a quick look with Mrs. Pattons. “We, the ladies at the club, had a discussion.”
Peggy tilted her head slightly, her interest piqued but tempered by a small pang of concern. The woman’s tone was unusually tentative. “Oh?” she prompted gently.
Lady Aleshire glanced at her companion once more before continuing. “W e thought that as the Duchess, you might like to take over as the head of the committee .”
Peggy blinked, taken aback. “The head?” she echoed, unsure if she’d heard correctly.
“After all, it is only proper, given your station, Your Grace,” Lady Aleshire added, her voice carefully measured, though her posture suggested she was braced for resistance.
Peggy’s hand tightened lightly around her teacup as she processed the proposition, her thoughts spinning.
“Oh no, not at all,” Peggy quickly interjected, sitting forward slightly with a warm smile. “I would be delighted to take part in every aspect and learn from you, Lady Aleshire, but I shan’t want to usurp the position you’ve held for years.”
Lady Aleshire blinked, her expression softening as a hint of surprise crossed her features. “There is no such thing as usurping, Your Grace. I am making the offer to you.”
“Yes,” Mrs. Pattons chimed in eagerly, her tone effusive as she nodded. “And it’s a unanimous agreement, Your Grace.”
Peggy’s gaze flicked to Mrs. Pattons, noting the almost exaggerated enthusiasm in her manner.Obsequious as ever,she thought wryly, though she kept her face pleasant. Turning back to Lady Aleshire, Peggy clasped her hands lightly in her lap, her demeanor earnest.
“Well,” she began thoughtfully, “you can tell the ladies that I appreciate the gesture, but I am politely declining. We shall all continue to reach out under Lady Aleshire’s leadership.”
