Iris raced out of the sitting room with Miss Boyd hot on her heels, shouting at her to come back.
“Miss Boyd,” Archer called out after them, “make sure she gets a bandage on her hand.”
Unsure if the governess had heard him, his tempering frustration deepened. He might have to admit Miss Boyd was not the right person for Iris.
The day was wearing away at his soul. He had many things to fix and disentangle, and all of it had to be discussed with his wife. The thought was oddly comforting and hopefully would take off a great weight that was resting on his shoulders.
Chapter Ten
Mr. Lyall knocked on the door. “Apologies for the interruption, Your Grace, but Lord Nittinghill is here to see you.”
Lydia looked up from the resumes for the new maids that she had been looking through and found her heart beating faster. She had not seen her brother since the wedding, and though she had written to him, his responses had been short.
“Send him in, Mr. Lyall, and ask cook to have some refreshments prepared.” Lydia straightened her dress.
“And will His Lordship be staying with us, Your Gace?” Mr. Lyall asked.
“I am not sure. I doubt it. I think even Landon would have the good sense to let me know of that in advance.” She smiled at the butler.
Her brother’s familiar face peered round the door, his dark hair a messy mop atop his head as he grinned at her. “And what’s that I hear about good sense? It cannot be my sister using my name and the phrase in a sentence.”
“Land! It is so good to see you!” She moved towards him and hugged him. “I swear you have grown.”
“Or you have shrunk.” He laughed at her, stroking a hand across his face.
Lydia frowned at the stubble. “Please tell me you are not trying to grow a beard.”
“Maybe. I am a proper bachelor now after all.” He shook his head and pulled her into another hug. “Goodness, it is good to see you, sister. I have missed you. The estate is not the same without you.”
“I have missed you too, brother.” Lydia gestured for him to take a seat next to her, and he did, catching her hand in his and giving it a squeeze.
“I am sorry it has taken me so long to visit.” He gave her an apologetic look. “But better late than never.”
“Indeed. How are you, Land?” Lydia asked at the same time as her brother said, “How are you holding up?”
They both laughed, and Landon gestured towards her. “Please, you go first. I am sure whatever you’ve been up to is far more interesting than anything I have to say. How is married life?”
“It has… It has not been what I expected.” She flushed, thinking of her dance with the Duke and the cold façade that seemed to slip into place at a moment’s notice.But that is not who he is.
“Is the Duke mistreating you?” Landon’s jaw tensed.
“What? No! He… No… Things have been a little rocky between us, but I suppose that is to be expected when you marry a perfect stranger.” She was surprised to find herself feeling so protective over her husband. “He has been a perfect gentleman.”
The memory of him holding her during the storm filled her mind, and she ran a hand along her upper arm. Landon nodded. “Good, that will save me having to thump him in your name.”
“As though you could. He is at least twice your size.” She shook her head.
“Yes, but I am twice as wily.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“I see the time has done nothing to dent your ego, little brother.” She punched him playfully.
“Of course not, and the rest of the family? They treat you well?” he looked around as though expecting them to materialize at any moment.
“They do.” Lydia smiled. “His sisters are a delight, and his niece is a little ball of sunshine.”
“It makes you wonder how they have such a grumpy git for a brother.”
“He is not grumpy, and he is not a git.”
