None of it could make her unhappy, though. The beast, the murderer of her mother, was dead.Shewas alive and twelve months away from total, absolute, and permanent freedom.
The only thing they waited for now was a summons from the duke. He would let Daisy and Mrs. Jellops know when they were to be packed and travel to his estate in Somerset. Her only qualm, when she’d first heard that the duke was to oversee her affairs, was that his son, Lord Dalton, might be in residence. She’d dismissed the idea, though. It was unlikely the lord would be hanging round his father’s house when he might be in his own, which she understood to be in Brighton. She was both relieved and vaguely unhappy by the realization, though she assured herself it was only the expected dearth of company her own age that depressed her spirits.
A footman had finally delivered the waited for communication to her hands.
Daisy tore open the sheet and read its close scrawled message.
My Dear Miss Danworth.
My most fervent condolences on the recent passing of Lord Childress.
As you know, I am the entailed heir of that gentleman’s estate, and have also been named your guardian in his will. It is not altogether usual, and my solicitor tells me that you may challenge it in Chancery Court if you so wish and I would not stand in your way. However, he also advises that particular court moves like boots through molasses. As you only have a twelvemonth until your majority, I suggest we simply proceed.
As it is not altogether seemly to have the entailed heir act as guardian, I have named my son as my agent. He will escort you to Ramsgate for the summer months and attend you there, staying in the cottage I have been told is located on the grounds.
The solicitor has informed me that your father’s butler and housekeeper have decamped. Lord Dalton’s butler, Mr. Bellamy, will take over the butler’s duties. You may hire any housekeeper you like, or my son will do the duty if you prefer. I assume you have a lady’s maid you will bring with you. The rest can be hired locally.
Mrs. Jellops will go on as your companion and I will place the household budget, which will be two hundred pounds per month, in that lady’s hands. I understand the lady to be one of commonsense and that will take the burden off your shoulders. Should you require more, I am happy to provide. My intention is that you want for nothing and are provided every comfort.
I have arranged for a modiste named Mrs. Belle to come and take your measurements for suitable mourning seaside attire, as I have been informed by my duchess that she is the only lady who will do. Mrs. Belle will send the clothes on to you at Ramsgate once they are readied.
Lord Dalton should already be making his way to that town. I will send you there with an escort of four carriages, four armed coachmen, and eight stalwart grooms.
I pray these plans meet with your approval. My carriages will arrive at dawn on Tuesday.
Glastonburg
Daisy dropped the letter and it fluttered to the carpet.
“Good Lord,” Mrs. Jellops said, looking alarmed. “What does he say?”
“His letter is both generous and terrible,” Daisy said. “He puts two hundred pounds a month in your hands.”
“Two hundred pounds for what?” Mrs. Jellops said.
“Our household. He sends us to Ramsgate.”
“Ramsgate! Whatever for? Why do we not go to Somerset?”
“Lord Dalton is to accompany us,” Daisy said. “I believe this has something to do with the Dukes’ Pact.”
Mrs. Jellops was quiet for a moment. She, like most people, was not as quick-witted as her charge. Finally, understanding overspread her features. “You cannot think it is a scheme to marry you off to Lord Dalton?”
“I can, and I do,” Daisy said. “What a ridiculous notion! It is skating near scandalous to have him living in the garden, for one. For another, if the duke had bothered to become at all acquainted with me, he would know that I intend never to marry. I have no need to, and I will never put myself at the mercy of a man. It was my mother’s mistake, but it will not be mine.”
“Lord Dalton also says he will never marry,” Mrs. Jellops said. “Goodness, if your suspicions are true, the duke is a misguided creature. He ought to be throwing his son in front of ladies who desperatelywantto marry.”
“I suppose the duke thinks himself very clever,” Daisy said. “I suppose he does not mind if his scheme results in any talk.”
“Perhaps, though,” Mrs. Jellops said, “it is for another reason. Perhaps Lord Dalton himself has suggested it. He is virtually penniless after all. Perhaps he needs a place to put his feet up and eat good dinners. He is a gloomy sort, but for all that he does seem to enjoy your company. Or enjoy it as much as Lord Dalton enjoys anything.”
Daisy laughed at the notion. “If that is the case, Lord Dalton will rue the day he went to Ramsgate. He is to stay in the old cottage on the back lawn—do you not remember it?”
Mrs. Jellops smiled. “Oh dear, yes. He shall not be very comfortable.”
“As for dinners, he may shift for himself,” Daisy said. “I see no reason why I must provide them.”
Mrs. Jellops tapped her forefinger against her chin. “Except it is now the duke’s funds that will pay for everything.”
