Page 28 of Duke of Emeralds
Hester set aside her silks and rose, smoothing her skirts as she made her way to meet them. As she entered the drawing room, a small group of women sat waiting, each cradling a woven basket brimming with homemade treats and small tokens. They all stood when they saw her.
“Good day to you, Your Grace,” one woman greeted, her bright smile illuminating her face, cheeks flushed with excitement. “We are the wives of your tenants.”
Hester stepped further into the drawing room, her curiosity piqued by their warm welcome. “It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am delighted to see such friendly faces.”
As she scanned the group, Hester noticed the eagerness in their eyes. “May I ask your names?” she inquired, her tone inviting.
“I’m Mrs. Dibbs, wife of the village carpenter,” said a stout woman with a rosy complexion, her voice filled with pride. “And this is my dear friend, Mrs. Ambrose,” she added, gesturing to a woman with a warm, yet curious demeanor, for her eyes were a bright blue and her smile wide.
“It’s an honor to finally meet you, Your Grace,” Mrs. Ambrose said with a deep curtsy.
“And I’m Mrs. Milton” chimed in the third woman, her expression earnest. “I help with the village market. It’s a pleasure to be here.”
Hester responded warmly, “It’s lovely to meet you all. Thank you for coming.”
Mrs. Ambrose grinned. “We brought you some of our best baked goods, Your Grace. I hope you enjoy them.”
Hester gestured for the footmen to collect the baskets, already intrigued by the treats they had brought. “Thank you so much. I look forward to trying them.”
“Oh, I never thought I’d live to see the day that Lushton would welcome a duchess,” Mrs. Ambrose exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she settled into a chair.
“Yes, it’s true,” Mrs. Milton added, her expression earnest. “The late Duke never took a wife. Lived a life of debauchery, he did.”
“Now, Mrs. Milton,” Mrs. Ambrose interjected, elbowing her companion gently, “the Duchess does not need such gory details.” She turned to Hester, her expression shifting to one of sheepish apology. “Forgive my friend, Your Grace.”
Hester waved her hand dismissively, a faint smile dancing on her lips. “No offense taken. I assure you, I am quite accustomed to the realities of life.”
Mrs. Ambrose cleared her throat, her demeanor turning earnest. “We came to express our gratitude, Your Grace,” she began, and the other women nodded vigorously, their expressions sincere.
“Gratitude? For what, if I may ask?” Hester replied, genuinely puzzled. She had only just met these women and had not yet engaged in any meaningful interactions with the village.
“Why, the Duke has ordered repairs on all our houses,” Mrs. Milton explained, leaning forward with palpable excitement. “It is a kindness we have not known in many, many years.”
Hester furrowed her brow, shaking her head slightly. “But he was merely fulfilling his duties. You needn’t trouble yourselves with thanks.”
“Ah, but the late Duke never took notice of such matters, Your Grace,” Mrs. Ambrose asserted, her gaze unwavering as she leaned slightly forward, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “We have ample cause to be grateful now.”
Mrs. Milton edged closer, her eyes sparkling with a mix of nostalgia and indignation. “I remember well the day old Farmer Andrew was whipped for merely beseeching the Duke for newer ploughs to ease the toil.”
“Enough with these grim tales, Mrs. Milton,” Mrs. Ambrose interjected, casting a sharp glance at her companion.
Hester’s breath caught in her throat, her hand instinctively flying to her chest. The sheer cruelty of it all sent a shiver down her spine, igniting a fierce pride within her that Thomas was bringing forth a change in their lives.
“Now you see why we are so grateful for your husband, Your Grace?” Mrs. Dibbs chimed in, her eyes glistening with admiration.
“Yes,” Hester murmured, feeling their gratitude wrap around her like a warm shawl.I am indeed proud of him.
“And it does not end there. Our village orphanage and children’s hospital have not known kindness or charity in decades until your husband ascended to the title,” Mrs. Dibbs added, and they all nodded in agreement, their expressions earnest.
“There’s an orphanage?” Hester sat straighter, her brow lifting in surprise.
They confirmed her inquiry with eager nods, and her heart swelled with excitement. It meant she could extend their charitable efforts to this corner of the country as well. With Thomas already a benefactor, she felt a renewed sense of purpose to support him.
“I should very much like to meet the children soon,” Hester declared.
The women beamed, their faces lighting up with gratitude. “A gracious Duchess we have indeed,” Mrs. Ambrose proclaimed.
Hester felt the heat rise to her cheeks as she waved away their kind words. This was but their duty as patrons of the village, after all—the least they could do.
