It will undoubtedly affect his work.
She immediately felt worse. Martin had told her how his craft was his life, and he could not imagine living at any point when he would not be able to bring dogs and their owners closer.
“Perhaps I can meet him one day. I think I shall like to be a dog trainer when I’m older,” Anne said in her gentle, child-like manner, and it eased some of the ache Nancy had been carrying in her chest all morning.
“That sounds lovely. Perhaps I will be able to arrange a meeting for you both.”
It was a farfetched comment to make, but the smile on her younger sister’s face was worth it.
Nancy had tried to keep her spirits up somehow, but it had been quite difficult to do so with everything that had transpired the day she had arrived at Bluebird Hall looming over her.
Anne had asked if Nancy would play with them, and her expression had been too earnest and hopeful for the Duchess to turn her down.
“Come along, Dash! Race you to that tree!” Anne called and ran ahead, closely followed by Dash.
Nancy watched them from the comfort of the shade provided by the tree she had found solace beneath, trying to remember a time when she had been as carefree as her youngest sister.
The weather looked pleasant, with the bright sun and gentle breeze, but the Duchess could barely enjoy any of that due to the uncertain future that lay ahead of her.
What was she to do now? How would she live, moving forward, when her husband doubted her loyalty and her mother believed she had ruined her marriage on purpose?
With a shaky inhale, she attempted to rid herself of sad thoughts that would only further drag her spirits down, trying to focus her attention on her sister as the girl played with Dash. As her gaze settled on them, Nancy noticed her maid walking in her direction with an odd expression on her face.
“Your Grace,” Paula started when she stopped before Nancy, “His Grace is here. And he wishes to speak with you.”
Richard? Richard is here? But… why?
Nancy’s heart remained shrouded in the doubt and hurt that she had been put through, and a voice in the back of her head pointed out that he could likely have come in an effort to make up with her for the sake of his dukedom and to sway public opinion.
Whatever his reasons, she did not feel as though she could face him at that moment.
“I… I do not wish to speak with him. Tell him to leave me be.”
Paula looked as though Nancy’s words saddened her, but still, she nodded obediently. “Yes, Your Grace,” she replied then turned around, heading back into the house.
Anne watched her leave then ran back to Nancy, asking in a concerned tone, “Is something wrong?”
Nancy quickly shook her head. “It is nothing you need to worry yourself about, petal. Do not?—”
“Your Grace.”
She looked up, surprised to see that Paula had returned.
“He isn’t keen on being turned away.”
Nancy frowned. “I do not care. I don’t wish to see him?—”
“Nancy!”
The Duchess jumped, startled by the sound of her name cutting through the quiet and peaceful air that surrounded the property. She had thought that she had misheard it, and she opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off by the sound of someone screaming her name once more.
“Nancy! Where are you? I need to speak with you!”
That… that was definitely Richard’s voice. He was really screaming her name.
Her heart twisted uncomfortably in her chest as she recalled the way he had snapped at her, how easily he had believed a scandal sheet over her, even after everything they had shared. He had quickly come up with the conclusion that painted her in the worst light, and he hadn’t come for her the moment he had realized she was gone.
Whatever it was he wanted to say now, she was not interested in hearing it.
