“Your Grace,” Nancy mumbled with a swift curtsy, snapping herself out of her thoughts before they got too indecent.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace,” Mrs. Silverstone mirrored.
As Nancy lifted her gaze back to him, she saw Richard’s gaze rake all over her body. Although he remained expressionless, something in his eyes darkened.
“Might I ask what plans you have today, Duchess?” he asked as he stood straight.
“My plans?” she asked back in confusion.
“Yes. That is what I asked,” he answered.
Nancy blinked. Was it possible that…
“Well, um. Mrs. Silverstone and I just finished going over some of the decorations for the ball,” she said.
“Finished? Are you done with the preparation duties for the day then?”
She glanced over at Mrs. Silverstone.
The past few weeks had turned out to be a busy time for Nancy. She fully committed to the organization of their ball, meeting with decorators and planners in a bid to ensure that the event would not only be greatly enjoyed but widely talked about by all who attended.
At first, she had concerns over being put in charge of such an important task. She had helped her mother plan a few dinner parties when her father was alive, but nothing that could even come close to the scale of the grandeur of the ball she was planning to host with her husband.
“Your fruit tarts are always a lovely dessert to have after a meal and I think they will be a magnificent addition to the ball refreshments,”she had told the chef during a taste test.
“These flowers are lovely, and they will match the drapes we will have hung on the night of the ball. Let us go with this one,”she had said next, gesturing to one of the special bouquets prepared by the florist.
“No, no,”she had stopped the footmen from moving a table in the opposite direction of where she wanted it to be.“It will look better on the other side.”
She was motivated by the fact that this would not only be her first event as the Duchess of Wexford, but she also had to assure her family that she was doing well. Her husband’s reputation was also on the line, and she was committed to proving to everyone that their marriage was real and that he was a fit and capable duke.
Perhaps she did not know her husband all too well, but she did see how hard he worked in his study, more often than not, or away from the property to handle business matters.
Despite his seemingly callous air, he did seem to take his role seriously, once more greatly muddling the impression that she had of him.
She really did want to know more about him, but she never knew where to start.
And perhaps, this was her chance to do so, if she had guessed correctly that he wished to spend time with her.
“I do not believe I have anything that requires my immediate attention,” she spoke carefully—even though what she’d said was far from true—with a quick glimpse at Mrs. Silverstone, who had taken on a rather encouraging facial expression.
It felt as though the housekeeper was telling her whatever else needed to be done, she would take care of it.
“It appears you have some time on your hands, then,” Richard responded, “I have to go into town to meet some of the locals who have been facing some problems with their businesses and livestock. And ever since your arrival, I’ve been informed that they’ve been rather anxious to meet you. Perhaps today would be a good opportunity to introduce the people of Wexford to their new Duchess.”
The request was unexpected, and it made her a little emotional.
“I… I would very much like that, Your Grace,” she heard herself say.
“Very well. We leave in an hour. I shall meet you at the carriage then,” he said.
“Excellent,” she couldn’t help but smile.
Richard offered both her and Mrs. Silverstone a swift nod and walked out.
* * *
Nancy kept fidgeting with her gloves.
