“Come now,” Cora shook her head in good natured exasperation. “Finish your breakfast then you can go out to play.”
“Will you play with me?” Iris asked with her mouth full.
“Darling, don’t talk until you’ve finished chewing,” Juliet chided gently.
“Sorry Auntie.” Iris gave her an apologetic smile as Juliet wiped the jam off her cheek.
“I can’t play with you, rascal. I’ve got to go into town.” Cora stood from the table.
Both the Duke and Juliet shared a look between them. They eyed each other skeptically and Lady Cora snapped at them. “I am merely going dress shopping and nothing more!”
Clearly, Lydia was missing something, and whatever that was, she was not privy to.
“Have you any plans from the day, Lydia?” Juliet asked, frowning after her sister.
“Nothing in particular,” she said as she eyed her husband. “Though I suppose I’ll have to do a little supervision of the builders after our renovation to the Duchess’ rooms.”
“Your renovations?” Juliet looked between the Duke and Lydia, clearly catching sight of their mischievous shared smiles.
Lydia blushed in embarrassment. “It’s nothing. Just… Well, suffice to say we got rid of some clutter.”
“And added a few ventilation points to the walls.” Archer laughed.
“Which will be put rightbeforecertain little sunflowers can get themselves in trouble.” Lydia gave Iris a meaningful look.
“Yes, you aren’t to disturb the builders, Iris. They have a job to do, and you could get hurt.” Archer gave his niece a broad smile. “Although, I doubt they are as interesting as…. Oh… never mind. I doubt you would want to know.”
“Tell me!”
“What’s the magic word?”
“Tell me, please.”
“Very well. I just happen to know that a certain spaniel has happened to have puppies. If you fancy going to visit…” He grinned at her delighted smile.
“I’m going to get a puppy!” Iris leapt from the table and shot towards the front of the house.
“I said we were visiting them!” Archer called after her, following her from the room.
Lydia turned to look at Juliet. “He isn’t really going to come back with a puppy, is he?”
Juliet shook her head. “Not imminently, no. They’ll be too young. But I have a suspicion it won’ be long, provided little Iris remembers the promise, and I suspect she will.”
Juliet gave her a shy smile. “Since you’re free, would you care to join me for my violin practice?”
“That sounds wonderful!” Lydia said excitedly. “You wouldn’t mind if I brought my knitting as well?”
“Of course not,” Lady Juliet said, and she excused herself from the table. “We’ll be set up in the conservatory.”
When Lydia entered the conservatory, she found Lady Juliet seated in the center of the room, her violin settled comfortably in her lap. She glanced up from tuning her violin as she heard the click-clack of Lydia heels against the white marbled tiles.
“Mr. Nicosia,” Lady Juliet announced joyfully. “Let me introduce you to my sister-in-law, the new Duchess of Dashings.”
“Your Grace, it is a pleasure.”
Lydia was greeted by a gentleman with a finely trim mustache that curled around his upper lip, circling the tops of his rosy cheeks. He had set down the music sheets he had been reading, placing his quizzing glass in the small pocket against his breast.
Lydia extended her hand, and Mr. Nicosia bent at the waist ,gently taking her hand.
