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After they had mourned, they returned to Mossford where Robert gave her a gift to fill her heart to overflow. He had drawn up papers proclaiming his daughter heir to his wife’s estate of Mossford.
She worried at the implications of such a wealth. “It is a burden, truly Robert. However shall we keep her from the attention of fortune hunters?”
He pacified her. “Perhaps we keep the truth quiet until the betrothal contract is signed and then tell her future spouse. I fear all manner of heiress hunters would plague her with dark intent if her fortune is known.”
“Indeed. But will she retain her estates after marriage?” One problem solved, yet another replaced it in quick succession.
“If only he is a man kindly, beloved.”
“A small dowry then?” she smiled, remembering their first encounter.
“Aye, and we pray that she marries a man as devoted as I am to you,” he answered soberly.
The Duchess snorted at that. “There is not another man in the whole of England.” She moved closer to her husband, holding her body against his. “Nor a woman to be found as devoted to her husband as I.”
“I love you, wife,” he returned to her with a slight kiss.
“And I you.” She answered with a deepening kiss of her own, leaning into him as his hands banded her close.
They kissed over the maps of their lives and the promise of the future, the assurance of love and an abiding contentment.
Trained By Her Darling Duke
The Maid Earns His Undying Love
By Virginia Vice
Chapter 1
“Don’t worry so much, Audrey. You’re qualified and prepared for this,” the older woman crowed to the pretty young girl sitting opposite her in the carriage as it jerked and jumped along the cobblestones. The trip from London had been a long one, and Audrey couldn’t stop herself from letting out a yawn, born just as much from anxiety as fatigue. Her knees bounced and her voice quivered as she listened to the hoof-clops along the road.
“Working as house staff for an important man is a big step up, from tending house at Uncle Gerard’s inn, aunt Bette,” Audrey’s voice quietly protested. Born of common stripe, one could easily mistake young Audrey for lost royalty from the look of her. With hair a long flowing auburn and fresh, milky skin, her emerald eyes beamed in hesitant excitement at the roadway outside the carriage. “I’m not certain I’ll know what to do. I wouldn’t want to do anything to let down a man like the Duke of McClellan.”
“The Duke of McClellan is a man like any other, which means he knows very much of power games
and wealthy leisure, and very little of cooking dinner or cleaning the dishes,” Aunt Bette chortled in her gravelly voice. The cart rolled over a deep bump in the road, giving both of its occupants a quiet and surprised ‘oof’. “You listen to Agatha, and you’ll do exceptionally well. A young woman like you has a lot to gain, working in the household of a man like Lord Parris.”
Lord Parris. The name captivated young Audrey, her green eyes wide in the glow of fantasy. Growing up with a family of common folk bustling and breaking their backs to scrounge together enough coins for dinner each night, she had never imagined seeing the manor of a wealthy and powerful man, much less the estate of one of the most successful and influential members of England’s nobility.
“How long until we arrive?” Audrey questioned, her voice a velvety whisper, though her every breath hitches tight in her nervous throat. Aunt Bette regarded her cautiously.
“Now you’re quite excited to be working there, are you?” she smiles her churlish and gnarled old smile. “What’ve you got in your mind?”
“Curious,” Audrey sheepishly admitted, cheeks a burning red. “I’m merely curious about the man I’m working for.”
“Curiosity in the home of a man like Lord Parris can be a dangerous thing,” Aunt Bette warned. “I worked hard to secure this position for you, Audrey - Agatha and I are old friends, and it took her years to achieve steward of house staff for the McClellan estate.”
“You’ve reminded me,” Audrey sighed, accustomed to her aunt’s prattle. She loved Aunt Bette - life hadn’t been easy for Audrey, and her aunt had taken her in after both parents passed away from a bout of sickness. Still, the older woman loved to go on and on.
“I only remind you again to temper the next few words of caution I’ll offer,” Bette’s voice grew wary. “Lord Parris has quite a... reputation, and a deserved one,” she murmured, her voice slithering in contempt, barely audible over the clop-clop and groan of the wagon. Audrey’s heart froze - had the Duke committed some terrible deed? Was he greedy, disgusting, dastardly? Her joy about the job faded almost as quick as it had blossomed.
“What did he do?” Audrey answered reflexively, gulping hard. Aunt Bette’s nostrils curled and she crossed her legs.
“He’s done a whole lot,” she blustered, snorting like a bird, its feathers ruffled. “The Lord Parris is a virile young man, as far as nobility goes,” Aunt Bette snarled. Audrey, the poor thing, had plenty of experience helping Bette and her cleaning staff clear out Uncle’s inn rooms - but she had little experience with a certain, zesty side of life. Her head tilted, Audrey’s empty gaze brought a pained sigh from her aunt.
“He has a dastardly habit of taking certain liberties with the women in his employ - at any chance he can,” Aunt Bette’s language remained euphemistic - too euphemistic for innocent-minded Audrey. Dressed in her simple gown of black and white linen, Audrey remained confused.
“Liberties? Should I fear him holding out on paying me? I won’t let him walk all over me,” Audrey protested, summoning up all the courage her meek and mild-mannered young body could handle.
