Free Duchess by Mistake by Cheryl Bolen Page A

years had taken away her waist, but her limbs were still lean, and her whispy brown hair was only slightly threaded with gray.
    "My darling, I should like to present Mrs. Plumley to you."
    "And, Mrs. Plumley," Elizabeth said, meeting the housekeeper's gaze, "how long have you been in service to the Aldridges?"
    "His grace was kind enough to offer me employment shortly after he succeeded." Mrs. Plumley favored Elizabeth with a friendly smile devoid of artifice.
    Since Philip had succeeded whilst in his twenties, Elizabeth was struck at the maturity he must have demonstrated. She would have thought he'd have deferred to his mother for guidance in domestic decisions.
    Elizabeth  mirrored the housekeeper's smile. "That you are still here competently running Glenmont is testament to your capabilities."
    "Thank you, your grace. Whenever during the next several days you are sufficiently rested, I should be happy to give you a tour of Glenmont."
    Elizabeth's gaze lifted to Philip's. She had not realized how much taller than her he was. The tip of her head barely came to his shoulders. "Would tomorrow be agreeable for you?"
    Philip nodded. "Excellent. You and Mrs. Plumley can explore the thrilling linen closets whilst I continue my study of the tax bill--after I have the pleasure of showing you the grounds early in the day."
    "Very good," Mrs. Plumley said. "The dinner will be served as soon as you and the duchess change clothing, if that meets with your grace's approval."
    "I am most gratified to learn that," Philip replied.
    Mrs. Plumley curtseyed, then the Duke and Duchess of Aldridge strolled along the grand marble entry foyer, nodding to each freshly cleaned and starched employee before climbing the curving staircase to the bedchambers.
    More massive paintings by old Italian masters adorned the walls all the way up the gilt-banistered staircase to the third floor. Turkey carpets dominated with vivid reds covered the time-worn wooden floors there.
    "I am sorry the duchess's chambers haven't been done up for you. They are as they were left five years ago."
    "When your mother died," she said solemnly.
    He gave a morose nod. "You shall have to modernize them." At the second door they came to, he paused and opened it. "These will be your chambers."
    Everything in the room was ivory: the silken draperies and bed curtains, the brocade settee, the plastered walls, and even the carpet. All the furnishings were gilt. It looked far too formal for Elizabeth's taste. She would never feel comfortable here.
    Fortunately, she did not have to convey her dissatisfaction.
    "It looks nothing like you, now that I think on it. My mother was entirely too . . . stilted. She had been with the French court for a brief time and spent the rest of her life emulating Versailles."
    She nodded. "I should like the warmth of wood and a bit more colour."
    "My duchess shall have it."
    Her maid had placed her hairbrush and hand mirror on the opulent dressing table that was lit  by slender silver candlesticks. She supposed her clothing, too, had already been unpacked. "Shall you collect me once I've dressed for dinner?"
    "I shall. Will half an hour give you enough time?"
    A quick glance in the looking glass told her that Fanny's artistry with Elizabeth's hair that morning had held well enough. Otherwise, a half hour would not do for re-dresssing herself and her hair. "I think so."
    He leaned into her and brushed a kiss across her cheek. "Good. I'm starving. I'll knock at your door in thirty minutes."
    Instead of returning by the door they had entered, he disappeared into a door on the same wall as the headboard of her bed. To his chambers . Of course they would adjoin one another!  The impending intimacy sent her pulse racing.
    Fanny seemed most capable as she helped Elizabeth out of her wedding dress and into one of red velvet which exposed her bare, milk white shoulders. When Philip collected her--coming directly from his bedchamber without using the