Page 64 of The Devil to Pay

Selina did not have time to question this statement as Jules drew her forward, and into a library of the size and magnificence she could not have imagined. She had never seen so many books and so much polished oak in one place in her life before. For a moment she just stood, staring, mouth agape, before she realised she was being observed.

Movement from beside one of two grand fireplaces on opposite sides of the room, caught her eye. In a flurry of royal blue silk, a woman got to her feet. She was not precisely beautiful, but she had a face that was filled with character and wisdom, and that you would be hard pressed to forget. Her hair had once been blonde but was now streaked with white. However, the smile that transformed her face on seeing Selina changed her perception of what she saw. She was quite lovely.

The duchess hurried across the room, skirts swishing as she walked.

“My dears!” she exclaimed, beaming at them. “I’m so delighted to meet you all. Please do come in, and don’t be afraid of the size of this draughty old place. Poor Bedwin and I rattle about like two peas in a pod half the time. Luckily, I still have some young children too, and the grown-up ones come and visit me a lot with their babies, or I should run mad. Now, come, come, sit down. Robert, darling, ring for tea. Now who is this handsome fellow? No… don’t tell me… Benjamin!”

Selina, quite overwhelmed, allowed the duchess to usher them all into the room, submitted to a surprisingly tight hug from the lady, and was propelled to a seat whilst her grace took inventory. Jules had mentioned something about her being a force of nature. She saw now exactly what he’d meant.

Benjamin stared up at the duchess. “Yes,” he said, glancing back at Selina for reassurance.

“And do you like building things, Benjamin?”

Benjamin nodded solemnly. “Jammy likes building.”

“He can’t say Benjamin yet, but he likes jam,” Selina cut in, blushing and feeling ridiculous but defensive of her little brother and his silly name. “It became a nickname, and now—”

“A very fine nickname, and I am very fond of jam myself, especially raspberry jam,” the duchess said approvingly and, much to Selina’s amazement, got to her knees on the floor in front of Benjamin. “Now, Benjamin. I have some things for you, but they used to belong to Jules, and he loved them very much. If I give them to you to look after, will you take very extra special care of them?”

Benjamin nodded vigorously.

“Ah, sweet little man,” the duchess sighed, cupping his soft cheek and looking wistful. “I wish I’d had another boy.”

“Good grief, woman, eight children was enough.”

Everyone jumped, having entirely forgotten the duke was there at all, so consumed were they by the force of the woman in front of them.

As one, all eyes swivelled in his direction, and were surprised to find the man smiling ruefully.

“It’s quite all right. I’m used to standing in the background when Prue is in full flight. How do you do? I’m very pleased to meet you all, especially you, my dear,” he said, moving to take Selina’s hand. “I owe you a debt, I think.”

Selina gaped at him. “I shouldn’t think so,” she said, bewildered.

“Well, I beg to differ. You have brought my son, the one I have been waiting for these past years, to his senses, and home to us again. I was never more relieved, nor proud of him for making such a wonderful choice. I’m afraid I have made a few enquiries you see, my dear, and everyone tells me what a sensible, clever, and level-headed woman you are.”

Blushing furiously, Selina could not help but query this, for she could not imagine who would have said such things about her. “Are you certain they didn’t say bossy and overbearing?”

“Quite certain,” Bedwin said, lips twitching.

“Duchy,” Benjamin said plaintively, for despite being coached all the way from Monmouth, the word duchess was one he could not quite manage. He tugged at her heavy silk skirts and Selina prayed fervently that his hands were still clean. “Duchy, where are Jules’ things? You give them to me?”

“Oh!” the duchess said with an apologetic laugh. “Poor little man, how patient you’ve been too. The naughty duke distracted me,” she added, sending a look of mock annoyance towards her husband.

“Benjamin!” Charlie hissed, looking mortified that his brother had been so forward.

“It’s quite all right,” the duchess soothed. “It is a dreadful torment for a child to wait after being promised a treat. You were quite right to remind me, Benjamin, but do call me Prue. Can you say that easier? Yes, far better than duchess, so stuffy. Now, if you look in that box over there, you will find some things to occupy you, and you may take them home too, if your sister says it is allowed.”

Benjamin gasped and ran to the box, giving a little cry of delight as he saw the treasures within.

“What did you give him?” Jules asked his mother curiously.

“Your building blocks, and I found some wooden soldiers that used to stand sentry on the turrets.”

“Oh, the ones Jasper made for me,” he said, grinning. “He’ll have hours of fun. I certainly did.”

“You’re very kind,” Selina said, feeling as though she were living in a dream. “Truly, I… I never imagined…. Jules told me you would welcome us, but… but this… when I’m certain I cannot be at all what you hoped for.”

The duke made an odd coughing sound. His wife was less subtle and gave a bark of laughter.