“Are you awake, Anthony?”
“I think so, Colin. Although I am just now realizing how much effort and energy goes into maintaining consciousness.”
“Well, at least youareconscious.” Colin gestured with a thumb towards the snoring Kenneth. Then he continued, “Tea should be ready by about now. Do you fancy a cup?”
“Yes. Help me up, will you?”
* * *
Meredith was pleased with the outcome of her very first lesson. True, it started out a bit unsteady at first. Meredith was worried that Lady Cecilia seemed tired and distracted as she endeavored to educate her on the significance of the Nile River and of Egypt in general. However, Meredith believed she had now successfully established a good rapport with her student.
Surely the subsequent lessons will be far smoother.
They were now walking together towards the main entrance of the house, for it was almost time for Lady Cecilia to take her supper.
“...and would you believe that he made me chase him every day?” Meredith asked whilst shaking her head.
With a grin, Lady Cecilia replied, “No! Every day?”
“Every day.” Meredith confirmed with a nod. “As I mentioned before, he is very opposed to clean shirts.”
Lady Cecilia giggled, “I think Arthur needs to reconsider that stance.”
“I would be inclined to agree with you,” grinned Meredith.
As they reached the top of the front steps, the noise of a coach drawing closer caused them to turn around.
The driver opened the door and the Duke stepped out.He seemed just as surprised to see them as they were to see him. For a long moment, the three of them just stood frozen, blinking at each other.
“Are you just now arriving home after your night out, Brother?”
“Yes, well, you yourself saw that I have just climbed out of this coach, didn’t you?”
“I see. Then welcome home,Your Grace.”
Those last two words were uttered with anger and spite, which chilled Meredith to the bone. Gone was the giggling Cecilia of only a few moments ago. And in her place stood a ruthless, expressionless entity.
And the young lady’s resentful tone did not go unnoticed by the Duke.
With restrained fury of his own, the Duke returned, “It is not your place, Cecilia, to pass judgment on my comings and goings. Have you learned nothing at all from your deportment lessons? A lady, most especially ayoungerlady, must always know her place.”
Undaunted by the Duke’s words, Lady Cecilia simply said, “Very true, Brother. And the same can be said of a Duke.”
Meredith decided to step in, lest the situation escalate any further, “So sorry, Your Grace. But if I may interject, Lady Cecilia was just on her way to take her supper. If it suits you, may we beg leave to—”
“I believe that Cecilia can go straight to bed without supper, Miss Meyer. She seems to have quite enough energy already. One might even say she has an excess. Yes, let one of the maids escort her straight to her bedroom.”
Lady Cecilia’s face fell just for a split second, but she raised her chin again in defiance.
Mrs. Oakley—who had been standing by the door watching the entire scene unfold—promptly escorted Lady Cecilia back into the house. Even though Meredith understood that Lady Cecilia had stepped out of line, she could not help but feel sorry for the poor child. And she felt even worse that she could do nothing to change her plight.
The Duke really does take after his father, then. I’ve seen his true colors now.
“If that is all, Your Grace. I shall take my leave to prepare for tomorrow’s lesson.”
“Very good. But be sure to see me in my office after dinner, Miss Meyer.”
Meredith found that her stomach had suddenly been replaced by a bottomless pit. She wondered whether the Duke had read her mind. Or perhaps he was trying to test her. Nevertheless, Meredith was not going to let herself be intimidated. Raising her honey-brown eyes to meet his green-eyed gaze, she simply replied, “Yes, Your Grace.”
