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The notes were quick and easy and full of lighthearted happiness about her marriage and new husband and how she would love to show them her new home at Highwood and its beautiful gardens and they would be served delicate scones and drink Ceylon tea and please, please accept her invitation.
Please, she thought as she sanded.They were her dearest friends, but gossip and appearance meant everything to some.Even to her.
She’d married willingly and being snubbed wasn’t a complaint she could take to Matthew.Nor was there a thing he could do about it.As a duchess,a former duchess, she would have to take care of this herself.
And if not for herself, for the future of her children.The daughters of a duke would be a prize on the marriage mart, come the time.She couldn’t see a future where being the stepdaughters of Matthew Hardy would benefit them in any significant way, except perhaps a moderate dowry.
They needed to attend an important ball soon.Be seen before she was forgotten.ThatMatthew could do something about.
While she was writing, she also sent her regrets for the two balls she had missed.
When she handed the notes to Raleigh, she asked, “Does Mr.Hardy have suitable evening dress?Lady Wilbert will be hosting her annual ball this Saturday, and I think it would be advantageous for us to appear.”
“Mr.Hardy keeps a very full calendar, so I would advise checking with him as soon as possible.”They walked together toward a drawing room.“I’m sorry.Perhaps I spoke out of turn.Mr.Hardy is a little less formal than you likely were at Sandhurst.And there I go again, speaking out of turn.”
“I don’t mind.You can likely provide more information about what happens in the household than anyone else.Does he know how to dance?”she asked, whispering.
“All the most fashionable dances.His mother insisted upon it.He even plays the piano on occasion.”
“Oh, there’s a piano room?”she asked.
“An entire music room.”
“That makes me so happy, Raleigh.Thank you.Mrs.Callis was only able to show me about half the rooms.”
“Aside from Mr.Hardy’s office, you may go anywhere in the house.This is your kingdom to rule, as Mr.Hardy said.”
Maybe not the Lady of Nothing.Here was an entire kingdom in Islington to rule.“It’s just uncomfortable starting over.Tell me, what things are needed at Highwood?Mr.Hardy surely cannot do everything for himself.”
“It’s not that.He is just a firm believer in using money to get what he wants, when he wants it, and that usually means buying the services of someone who can get that thing he wants or needs.”
Much like dukes and duchesses.“Then I should tell you not to be offended if I search for a few things that could use my touch.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.”
“Oh, Raleigh?When will the interviews start?I’d like to sit with you and the governesses to discuss those qualities we are searching for.”
“I’ve sent a letter to the employment agency, explaining our needs.Would tomorrow work, before we have our first appointment?”
“Thank you, Raleigh.You’ve been very helpful.”
She settled back in the library to write her sister.A lengthier letter, with more details.Matthew’s words rang in her ears.She was prone to reveal everything to her sister, embarrassing truths and lofty dreams.Rachel had a flock of children and no longer enjoyed the trek to London for the Season.Usually, she attended the first two weeks before returning home.
Rachel could also read between the lines.If Rose carefully worded the missive, she could relay the most important things without violating Matthew’s paranoid rule.
Rose missed her, especially after the happenings since February.
She checked on the girls, knowing their dinner would start soon.Matthew said he would be home after dark.She suspected the hours encompassing “after dark” varied greatly.
She was lost.Had she gone a day since her first marriage when she didn’t have day visitors, appointments, or calls?Had there been an evening where she wasn’t attending a musical, a ball, a garden party?Islington may have had clean air, but it didn’t have much else.The house library seemed to be her only refuge.The books were stacked willy-nilly, some books upright, others lying flat, some shelves completely empty.It was certain no one cared about this room in any meaningful way.Books were one thing.A cozy place to read or sew with the scent of rain wafting in quite another.
She was going to need this refuge.As long as Matthew was apathetic to the room’s design, Rose would remake it to her satisfaction.
Raleigh tapped on the open door.“Your Grace, you have a visitor.”
“Oh.”She faced him and couldn’t help but smile at the news.It was almost a relief!“The front drawing room?”
Raleigh nodded.Rose hurried out and when she reached the drawing room door, she stopped in her tracks.
