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Chapter 3
Miss Diana Casey was sitting in the drawing room of her father’s small country estate. Before her was the ledger that she kept detailed and accurate notes in. Every morning, she reviewed the notes from the day before, much like she was doing now, trying to find anywhere upon the lines where she could make an adjustment and stretch their money a little further.
Being the youngest of five children, Diana had come to learn much about life from a very young age. Both her parents were much older now, relying on Diana for most things in life when it came to the daily running of the household, as well as managing the small estate of a marquess. That was why Diana was currently in charge of the family’s budget because her parents could no longer see the fine print upon the pages with much clarity.
She was also the only child that hadn’t tried to completely ruin her parents or take advantage of them. And though all four of her older siblings were now married into wealthy families, none of them would answer her frequent pleas for financial assistance.
Therefore, it was up to Diana to stretch ever shilling they had left. Her father’s coffers were almost empty, forcing Diana to let go of most of the servants. All that remained was their loyal housekeeper and a modest Cook. The rest was left to Diana to manage.
Though she was a proper lady, she’d been forced to learn how to keep the house clean, wash laundry, and even mend clothes under the guidance of Mrs Merriweather, their housekeeper. The older woman was a godsend and one of the few people helping Diana keep the household together.
Diana read over each line, counting the days till the next payment would be sent from Town based on her father’s monthly earnings from his title. Her father had very little tenants left, and their land had only shrunken more and more when her older brother demanded their father’s title. The man had yet to claim it but had taken their father’s greatest resources instead.
Diana was doing her best not to let her mind wander down an angry road. But every time she looked at the ledger, she couldn’t help remembering how each of her siblings had done something to hurt their parents financially.
Diana didn’t know how much longer she and her parents would be able to reside in their country estate. The townhouse had already been claimed by another sibling, therefore going to Town was not an option anymore. There were no other relatives that would take them in once they had financial ruin. And even if Diana began to do all the chores and errands, even letting go of Mrs Merriweather and Cook, they would eventually run out of money to even purchase food.
“What terrible luck,” Diana said softly as she closed the ledger. She slid it back in its position on her writing desk before she folded up the compartment, using the key that she kept tucked away in her sleeve to lock it up tight. She was just about to join her parents for the afternoon meal when Michelle came bounding into the sitting room with a happy smile on her face.
“Miss Bradly, what a wonderful surprise,” Diana said as she stood and embraced her dear friend. Though the young woman was the daughter of the village’s baker, Diana wasn’t one to judge a person based on their rank but instead on how they treated other people. Michelle was the kindest person she’d ever met and often brought day-old bread to her home for them to use.
“I’ve already given Cook the bread I managed to take from the bakery, but it is not the reason I came,” Michelle said as she gestured towards the settee in the room. Diana then sat down with her as Michelle rubbed her hands together eagerly.
“Alright then, what is the true reason for your visit?” Diana asked, willing to entertain Michelle. Since the young woman worked in the village, and at a very popular bakery, Michelle was prone to all sorts of gossip. Diana could only assume that her unexpected visit was based on such sort of news.
“Miss Margret, the assistant to the cook over at Lord Dillon’s manor, came in this morning to pick up her normal order of sourdough bread and told me how her master received a letter from the Duke of Chatham. It seems Lord Mavis is in search of a wife and is sending letters to all the lords in the area for an eligible young lady to be his bride,” Michelle said in an excited voice as she clapped her hands together.
Diana frowned as she took time to remember who the Duke of Chatham was. Since she was only nineteen and hadn’t spent a Season in Town since her parents couldn’t dream of beginning to afford it, Diana hadn’t had much experience with high society or the Ton. At first, she could not remember knowing a Lord Mavis.
“Forgive me, Miss Bradly, but I don’t have a memory of ever meeting Lord Mavis,” Diana admitted.
“He’s the Duke that lives on the northern side of the neighbourhood. I suppose you’ve never met him before because he lost his wife about three years ago and hasn’t really been seen since,” Michelle explained. At the mentioning of this, Diana thought she remembered something about a gentleman who had become a widow.
“Is this the man whose wife was murdered?” Diana asked, trying to piece the memory back together.
“Precisely,” Michelle said as her eyes grew wide. “That’s what makes this news so bazaar. The Duke is looking for a wife and is willing to enter into an arranged marriage.”
“My goodness, what for?” Diana wondered.
“No doubt to continue the family line. You know how those upper-class lords are only worried about heirs and such,” Michelle said in a dissatisfied tone. “And with such a title, I’m sure he’ll get plenty of requests from eager fathers wanting their daughters to marry well.”
“There is too much mystery surrounding the man to really make a certain guess as to why he is in want of a wife,” Diana decided upon. “There is no telling from a man no one has heard about for years.”
“I’m excited to hear whom he’ll end up marrying. There are not that many young ladies who could fit the bill,” Michelle said. “I believe this will be the most exciting news of the year.”
“Come now, Miss Bradly. I don’t really think this line of topic should occupy our time. It’s a strange circumstance that I should certainly not have time to care about. A Duke would never consider a poor young lady such as myself, no matter the desire or need to have a wife.” Diana looked away from Michelle then and instead at her hands as they clenched together in her lap.
It was wrong of her to complain because she knew that Michelle’s wealth depended on the success of the bakery. Furthermore, Diana was a proper young lady while Michelle was born into a much lower class than even she.
“You never know what might happen,” Michelle said as she reached across the settee and placed her hand gently on Diana’s. “Things won’t always be as they are now. As my mama has always told me, all things in life are temporary.” Diana forced a smile to her lips as she looked back up at Michelle. Michelle was truly a splendid friend, and she was lucky to have such a friend in her life.
“I have just finished going over the ledger once more, and it has only caused my fears and worries to increase. I feel as though I could count the days until we are without a single income.”
“It’s hard for me to believe that not a single married child of your parents has done anything to help out. Do you not think that you should write to them again, explaining in detail your troubles?”
Diana shook her head, thinking that it had done no good before then. But as Michelle squeezed her hand once more, she knew that she shouldn’t ever give up hope.
“I will write to all four of them once more. Perhaps this time someone will come to our aid,” Diana finally said. “But now I must really get to the housework and see that my parents are comfortable. I’m as equally afraid for their health as I am about our financial situation.”
