“Yes, I’m finished. Thank you, Fletcher. If you see Mr. Tulk, please let him know that I particularly enjoyed this breakfast. It has provided me with a wonderful start to my day.”
“Most certainly, Your Grace.”
“Oh! And once you’ve brought the tray and dishes to the kitchen, please do come back. You see, I have some books and a copy of a star atlas that I need returned to the subscription library near Linden Park.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I chanced to see you copying the star atlas by hand out on the terrace yesterday afternoon.”
“That’s right. I thought I would take a break from all this wretched party planning. At any rate, I would like to return it along with this stack of books.” His Grace drummed his fingers on the topmost book of the pile and began whistling a tune.
Hugh took his leave and made his way to the kitchen with the dirty dishes.
Well, His Grace seems to be in very high spirits considering that the party is no more than two and a half days away.
Hugh deposited the dishes in the kitchen and promptly returned to the study as he was told. But as he reached for the study door handle, it flew open seemingly of its own accord.
His Grace jumped backwards and almost dropped the books he was carrying, “Oh! My apologies, Fletcher, I did not mean to startle you. No, no, please, I’m fine with carrying the books.”
“I was actually rushing to tell you that I have decided to take these books and the atlas into town myself.”
Hugh raised his eyebrows, “Are you certain, Your Grace? It would be no trouble at all on my part to handle it for you.”
“No, no, Fletcher. I insist. I could use the physical activity. What is more, I think I might pop into a few shops to look for a new cravat. Please have Mr. Young ready the coach.”
“Right away, Your Grace.”
* * *
Meredith hummed as she wrote her latest journal entry. She was sitting on her chaise lounge rather than at her writing desk because she wanted to get the most out of the afternoon sun as possible.
The Duke, that is, Anthony—Meredith still couldn’t believe that she was allowed to call him as such—did not luncheon at home today. When Lady Cecilia had inquired about him, Mrs. Oakley had explained that he had gone into town.
So Meredith and Lady Cecilia lunched by themselves and then had a lesson revising everything that had been covered in the past week, including points that Lady Cecilia had learned in her deportment, French, and embroidery lessons.
This has been their custom on Friday lessons every week for the last three weeks, for Anthony had reminded Meredith that he still trusted her with overseeing Lady Cecilia’s overall development. As a result, Meredith needed to either sit in for a lesson or ask the other tutors what they had covered with Lady Cecilia.
Meredith had always been set on devotedly carrying out her duties as governess. But after last night, she was even more determined to do so.
A rapid knock on her bedroom door interrupted her endeavors to chronicle the wonderful events of last night. She hastily shut her journal and slid it under a cushion on the chaise lounge.
“Come in. Is that you, Philippa?” She glanced at the clock. “It’s still a bit early for tea, isn’t it?”
No response came from the opposite side of the door.
Meredith crossed the room. Whoever had knocked was gone by the time she opened the door. In their place, they had left a package. Meredith picked it up and realized that the person had left a note as well. It read,
Meredith,
I won’t force you to attend the dinner party on Sunday. But know that whatever decision you come to, I shall support it wholeheartedly for I have the utmost confidence in your judgment.
However, I also wanted to encourage you to at least briefly reconsider your resolution to avoid attending.
I hope you like dark blue.
Yours,
Anthony
Chapter 19
