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“Oh, finally.”
Phillipa had been my sister’s nanny. I had written to my mother, asking for her help in securing her services, as I could not bring myself to trust anyone else with Emeline, nor did I want anyone who would threaten what I was building with her.
“Is Emeline napping?” I asked.
“Yes, Your Grace, I checked in on her earlier.”
“Thank you. I will go sit with her and explain about Nanny Phillipa.” I didn’t want her to think I had passed her off. “How are we with the additions to the staff?”
“So far, all is well, but it will take more time, Your Grace.”
“Of course,” I replied as we walked. I was pleased to realize I was finally getting more familiar with where I was going in the house. “How is the talk of late?”
“Much improved, Your Grace.”
“Well, we should be prepared for more.”
I did not know the details of Evander’s actions, but I was sure the town would be abuzz when they heard that their duke had fought a local man like a ruffian. Part of me had wished to lecture him on his behavior, as I was working so hard to improve our reputation, but upon seeing how dejected he looked, I could not bring myself to do so.
“That is all for now,” I said to Eleanor before entering Emeline’s room.
Once inside, I leaned against the door. It was always one thing or another now. Nothing was simple, despite all my efforts. Though I was not sinking from the weight of it, the burden of Evander’s house and this family was heavy. Which made me think of Marcella and what it would have been like had I been placed in this role at sixteen. Surely, it would have broken me. I worried about her.
“Your Grace?”
Opening my eyes, I looked to see Emeline sitting up in bed, rubbing her head. Going to her, I placed my hand on her face. “Did I wake you?”
She shook her head.
“Well, I am glad you are awake. I wished to tell you of your new nanny.”
She froze, looking at me.
“Do not worry, she is very nice. Well, she is nice and a bit strict. My sister Abena loved her greatly. And she is only to help when I am not able to spend time with you. But I will be with you as much as I can.”
“What about Mrs. Watson?” she asked.
“Your papa is unhappy with her. And you do not wish him to be unhappy, right?”
She pouted but shook her head.
“If you dislike your new nanny, I will find a new one.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Good, then let us prepare for her and have time in the garden. We’ll eat whatever you like for dinner.”
She nodded, and I lifted her from the bed, hugging her tightly, and when she hugged me back, my heart skipped.
I had become very much attached to this one.
It surprised me.
Evander
It had been one nightmare of a day, and I simply wished for it to be over. Which I thought had been the case when Aphrodite and I had gone to bed, but when I awoke she was not beside me any longer. I waited in bed, but when she did not return after ten minutes, I arose, wearing my nightshirt to search for her. She was not in Emeline’s room, the drawing room, or the kitchen. Panic began to rise until I saw the light by the patio.
Gravitating to it as if I were a moth, I found her, sitting at the table with a bottle of port beside her and a piece of cake on a plate in her hand. With her curly hair down and wearing her dressing gown, she sat in the garden.
