Chapter 29
It was the day of the funeral, and the household was a hive of activity. The chambermaids were preparing rooms for the guests who were coming down from London and would be staying overnight after the funeral. The kitchen was busy preparing food for the reception and the evening’s dinner, and Stevens and the footmen were setting up the ballroom for the post-service reception.
Two footmen were already welcoming the locals who came to pay their respects and directing them to the rotunda for the viewing. The rotunda was a large cold room, two stories high, with a domed skylight that admitted the pale winter light to allow dim viewing. The casket was on a velvet covered bier. Tall candle-stands with lit candles stood at the four corners of the open casket. Her Grace, the daughters, and Lucy were seated by the casket ready to receive the viewers.
Stevens appeared at the main entrance, ready to usher those guests who would be attending the funeral to the drawing room to wait for the service that would take place at eleven.
George entered in the drawing room to visit with the notable guests who had come down from London.
“Your Grace,” a distinguished gentleman greeted. “Her Majesty sends her very deepest condolences and wishes you to know that if she could be here today, she would be, but, alas she was unable to attend.”
“I quite understand. But I am grateful that you, Sir Charles, were able to be here to represent her.”
“And Your Grace, now that you have ascended to the Dukedom, I should like to discuss with you your responsibilities at the House of Lords. We do look forward to your attendance.”
“I have not given that any thought as of yet,” George answered. “As you can imagine, I have been caught up in my responsibilities to the estate and my family.”
“I quite understand. But before I leave, perhaps you could afford me a few moments to go over the details with you.”
“Most certainly. Let us speak during the reception following the service.”
“I would be happy to do that,” Sir Charles answered.
At that point, the Vicar arrived and pulled George aside to go over the details of the service.
Harold stood close by, ready to assist as he was needed. After conferring with the Vicar, George came over and asked him, “How are we with transportation for the guests to the cemetery?”
“I have Joshua speaking with the drivers as they arrive with guests. He is making certain they are standing by to take the guests when the service in the rotunda had concluded and we are ready to transport the casket.”
George reached over and patted Harold on the shoulder. “I am so grateful to have you with us today. It has been very trying.”
“I am certain it has been. But any way I can help just call on me.”
George nodded.
Before long, the scheduled viewing for local visitors was concluded, and it was time for the service. George led the way, accompanied by the Vicar, Sir Charles, and followed by the guests from the drawing room.
Lucy was standing behind the Duchess who was seated next to the daughters before the casket, and she caught George’s gaze as he came in and looked her way. He nodded briefly.
George had arranged for a string quartet to play some of his father’s favorite hymns during the service. The Vicar was most eloquent if somewhat long-winded, as he extolled the late Duke’s many virtues and accomplishments.
George spoke, Ann spoke, and Betsy spoke for the family, and when the service was concluded, the pallbearers assembled to take the coffin to the hearse for the ride to the cemetery.
The burial was simple, dignified, and tears were shed. On the ride back to the Manor, the Duchess and Lucy were in the carriage with George and Harold.
Lucy was still agitated by her recent exchange with Ann that hinted at Ann’s knowledge of some sort of an engagement. Whether it was George or Beaumont Ann had referred to, Lucy still did not know. She cast several glances at George, hoping to catch his attention, but George was deep in his own thoughts—as he rightfully should be at this sad time.
Lucy attempted to calm her own thoughts and decided she needed to give George his proper space to grieve and assume his new responsibilities as the new Duke of Sutherland. She would need, once again, to try and master her tendency for impatience.
* * *
There were at least five and seventy guests in the ballroom mingling with the family after the burial service. Each member of the family was receiving, what seemed to be, endless amounts of sympathy and condolence. Her Grace was just too overcome with grief to stand and was seated, surrounded by her daughters, with Lucy at her side as mourners filed by with their personal messages of sorrow at the Duke’s untimely passing.
His Grace was conferring with Sir Charles about his responsibilities at Lords after speaking with a number of nobles who had come down from London to pay their respects.
George noticed, even while he was speaking with the Queen’s emissary, that Harold had gone over to speak with Betsy and was casually holding her hand. This was the first time he understood that Harold had been actively courting his sister. He was happy for Betsy. He had worried about her after her heartfelt declaration of love for Harold in his studio. But she was beaming and obviously very happy.
When Sir Charles finished with his instruction, George suggested he might wish some refreshment and had Stevens direct him to a table where he could be served.
