“We have some single malt Scotch in the sideboard, reserved for special guests.”
Richard took hold of his brother’s arm. “Thank you, Your Grace, however, I think we need to be heading home. We have a cow about to birth and Father would like us to be there in case there are complications.”
“Oh,” Judith said, surprised at their mundane excuse and insistent departure.
However, just at that moment, the door opened, and Lucy appeared, dressed plainly, but radiant in her simplicity. All of the gentlemen’s heads turned to her, and all conversation stopped. Not a single person moved.
Lucy came directly over to the Duchess and asked, “Cook would like to know if any of the guests will be staying for supper this evening?”
All eyes were trained on Lucy, although she took no notice of the stares. The Duchess, however, was acutely aware of the effect Lucy was having on the men and wanted to get her out of the room as quickly as possible.
“Tell Cook we are not expecting any guests for supper other than family. You may leave now.”
Lucy’s attention was drawn to the gentlemen ogling her, and she smiled at them politely before turning to leave—much to Judith’s relief.
“Was that your sister?” Captain Dunstable asked Charlotte.
Charlotte appeared not to be pleased with that question and answered, “Oh, no. She is one of our servants.”
“Pity,” was all the Captain said wistfully.
The Duchess could see the damage had already been done, and the gentlemen were rapidly losing interest in her daughters. Even Charlotte was no longer the center of the Captain’s attention. The Duchess returned to her chair, sat, and reached for her Laudanum but found the bottle empty. However, she dared not call for Lucy, and she could not rely upon Flossy to administer the proper dose, as the poor girl was all flighty fingers and had dropped several bottles previously, spilling their contents.
The twins were the first to depart, soon after Lucy left the room. Perhaps they did have a birthing cow, the Duchess surmised. In any case, Ann did not seem all that interested in Tom. She appeared, instead, to have her interest peeked by one of the officers—however, Judith concluded that for Ann, either one of them would do.
Presently Sir Benjamin bowed to the Duchess and excused himself, not having had the opportunity to chat with a single lady.
Tolliver and the officers were all the guests that were left, and the young Tolliver came to ask the Duchess where his sister and Betsy had gone. It was clear he wanted to leave now, as well. Fortunately, at that moment Betsy and Tussie returned and seemed to be surprised to see so few gentlemen remaining.
As Betsy came to her mother, Judith took the opportunity to bring Betsy and Tolliver together, as she cast a newly appreciative eye on the young man. He might do in a pinch, she thought.
“Betsy, my precious, have you had an opportunity to visit with Mr. Crandall this afternoon?”
What the Duchess did not know was that Betsy and Tolliver had been acquainted since they were children—Tussie and Betsy played together since they were five. However, Tolliver had been a bully and teased his sister and Betsy relentlessly, so Betsy had no fondness for the young man. He was a lost cause as far as she was concerned, and they just stared at each other until Tussie grabbed hold of her brother’s arm and insisted they leave.
And almost immediately after, the officers approached the Duchess, thanked her for the afternoon, and said they must return to the regiment.
“Then might we expect to see you next Sunday? We should so love to have you.”
The officers looked at each other, and the Captain answered, “Perhaps. However, there is always the chance we might be on duty.”
They bowed and left.
It was a forlorn group that remained. Only Betsy seemed unaffected by the gentlemen’s departures. And she went to the tea table, picked up a salmon paste sandwich, and headed outside with her book.
The Duchess turned to Flossy and said with agitation, “Fetch Lucy.”
The girl immediately left and returned shortly—Lucy trailing behind her.
Judith glared at Lucy. “Fix my drops immediately,” she demanded.
“Of course.”
“And where were you all afternoon when I needed you?”
“You told me to stay in the kitchen unless I was called for.”
Of course, she had said that but had forgotten, and she fussed with the dog—picking it up and bestowing a series of kisses. “You should just know when I need you. Silly girl.”
