“It’s even got its own room,” Juliet said. “Conbatten insisted it go into what he’s named his family room. It is for family only and nobody else is allowed in there. One of my odes is in there too.”
“I see,” Mr. Lawrence said, glancing at Viola’s painting. “So it is not for public consumption. Very wise.”
“Mr. Lawrence,” Miss Mayton said, “I hope we find in you a lover of literature?”
“Literature? Yes, as it happens, I am a rather enthusiastic reader.”
“Excellent,” Miss Mayton said. “I have been reading to everybody in the evening. It helps to pass the time.”
The earl said, “It is not particularly highbrow, but it is a cracking good tale.”
“It isThe Harrowing Homecoming at Harrowbridge Hall,” Juliet said. “There are two dukes returned from abroad, but only one of them is real. How is the gentle governess to decide between them?”
“Well, I…” Mr. Lawrence trailed off.
Miss Mayton said, “Chapter Two.”
The gentle governess was all aflutter. The two dukes, only one of which was real, were determined on a contest to prove their legitimacy and win her love. The nature of the contest was confusing—it was a battle of doing things that only a duke could do. What were those things, though?
The first duke said, “I propose dismissing the butler. A duke will do it in a certain way.”
The second duke said, “I could dismiss a butler in my sleep!”
“Call the butler forth!” Duke One said.
Mr. Crayden, the aged butler, hobbled into the solarium. “Your Graces,” he said, as his eyesight had got so bad that he did not know which was the real duke either.
“Crayden,” Duke One said, “pack your bags and depart at once!”
“Nonsense,” Duke Two said. “Crayden, you are a rogue and a thief. I will issue no reference and you will be escorted down the drive this instant!”
“I change my answer!” Duke One said. “Crayden, you are a scoundrel! How dare you steal the silver? Out with you!”
“Steal the silver?” Crayden said weakly. “My eyes are so bad I don’t even know where it is anymore.”
The two dukes turned to the gentle governess. “Well?” Duke One said. “What is your verdict? Which one of us dismissed the butler like a duke?”
“Yes, gentle governess, who dismissed him best?” Duke Two asked.
Mr. Crayden turned and began to shuffle out of the room. “I’d best go pack my bags. If I can find them.”
“No, Mr. Crayden,” the gentle governess called. “You are not really let go. It was just a contest. By the by, I have never witnessed a duke dismissing a butler. Do you know who did it best?”
Miss Mayton laid down her book. “So, Mr. Lawrence, we can see where this is going—the two dukes will have a battle for the ages and one of them will be revealed as false.” She sighed and said, “I do find the poor aged butler so poignant, though.”
“He’d be lucky to get out of that house, if you ask me,” Mr. Lawrence said quietly.
Miss Mayton picked up the book again to read further, but Mr. Lawrence practically flew out of his chair. “I am sorry, I must bid you good evening for an early start on the morrow.”
He practically fled the room and Viola began to think that maybe he did indeed have his little eccentricities, as any famous portrait painter would.
It was a shame though, as to cap off the evening, Cordelia performed her Desdemona death scene she was so known for.
Though Mr. Lawrence was not there to appreciate it, dear Chester found Desdemona’s dying most thrilling. He squawked and paced and generally was a very attentive audience.
Viola sighed contentedly. It seemed wherever the Benningtons traveled, they must bring joy to whomever they encountered.
Chapter Two
