“And then she will remove to Bath?” Bath could be a very busy place. She should have a great deal to divert her.
“That is the current plan.” He sounded so uncertain.
“Something is the matter. What is it?”
“I have just the past year taken full control of the dukedom and the holdings. As you know, until Whiting came to work for me, I was having trouble with some of the tenants at my main estate. I must leave Whiting here to oversee the construction and the estates until we return.”
Theo understood his concerns. They and their friends had formed a scheme to travel with Holland and Patricia to Vienna. Perhaps Theo and Chandos could come home earlier than planned. “We could arrange to be gone for two months instead of four months. We will simply travel with everyone until it is time for us to return. Will that work?”
“Yes.” He let out a breath and smiled. “That will be perfect. Thank you for thinking of it.”
Theo returned his smile. Planning was her most useful skill. “Excellent. Now let us try to intrigue your mother with the plans.”
“Instead of scare her?” He grinned.
“Indeed.” Even though the duchess would no longer reside in the house, she was uncertain about what they wanted to do. “You will have to find her a house to lease for the next Season.”
“If she likes the one I’ve arranged for her, perhaps I can buy it or lease it again.”
“That is a good idea.” She took Leo’s hand. “Come. We must finish so that the Rollinses can get to work.”
The duchess joined them with a look of trepidation. Theo poured her a cup of tea, and her grace smiled her approval. “That was lovely, my dear.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” It was nice to have one’s soon-to-be mother-in-law’s praise. “Let us show you what we planned.”
When Theo was done, the duchess frowned. “I understand the reason to move the nursery and schoolroom, but why do we need to improve the servants’ quarters?”
“To make it more comfortable for them.” It struck Theo that the duchess had not really considered the comfort of those who served her. “As you know, many households have great difficulty in keeping their staff for any length of time. My family has been successful, by treating them better. This involves higher pay, better living conditions among other things. I read recently that one lady gives the maids an option of gowns to wear for work. Not a livery. Gowns in the same color but to the maid’s design.”
Her grace appeared interested. “I have never considered it. Although, I should have.”
“Now to our most interesting discovery.” Theo exchanged a smile with her betrothed. “There is a staircase from your chambers to the next floor. We believe that your rooms were the original duchess’s chambers, and the staircase was to the nursery.”
She appeared stunned. “Do you mean to tell me that the duchess’s rooms were not always at the other end of the corridor?”
“Exactly.” Theo nodded. “That must have happened due to discord between one of the ducal couples.”
“Good Lord. I never would have supposed.” The duchess looked at both Theo and her son. “Congratulations on discovering that piece of information.”
Leo went on to tell her about the house he was leasing for her so that she could remain in Town while they made their wedding trip and the construction was underway. “Does that suit you?”
“It does, indeed. But what about the house in Bath?” Creases marred her smooth forehead.
“Mama, I visited before coming to Town. It is in perfect condition. Who told you otherwise?”
Mrs. Rollins was packing her books. “We must go,” she whispered. “Send a message with the date we can begin work.”
Theo rose while Leo spoke with his mother and walked the Rollinses to the door. “I will. As you can see, we just need to relocate the duchess.”
“I understand. We will see you later.”
By the time she returned to the dining room, Leo was angry. “What happened?”
“The caretaker of the Bath house told my mother that it needed extensive repairs.”
Theo took a breath. “It appears as if he and his wife have become too comfortable living there. We will have to let them go and replace them.”
Leo nodded. “I believe you are correct.”
