Free The Duke's Dilemma by Fenella J Miller Page B

Hester tugged the bell-strap and while waiting for attention
lifted the silver lids to see what delicacies had been provided for them this
morning.
    There were crisp slices of ham, coddled eggs,
fresh bread and preserves – more than enough to make a substantial breakfast.
She piled her plate and took it to the table, deciding to sit with her back to
the fire as from here she could watch the door and see across the park. She was
halfway through her repast when the door opened and her companion hurried in.
    ‘What are you doing up, my dear? I’m sure I
remember Dr Radcliff saying you must remain in your
rooms for another day at least.’
    ‘As you can see, Birdie, I’m fully recovered
and refuse to remain upstairs any longer. Where is Cousin Ralph, do you know?’
    She waited whilst Birdie filled her own plate
brought it over to sit next to her. ‘He’s out with some of the men,. They’re
riding down to the coast; it seems they believe your aunt might have been
spirited away on a boat. I wonder what gave them that crackbrained notion?’
    ‘It was I. It’s the only possible explanation.
A large ship can anchor easily in the bay and rowing boats come ashore to
collect passengers. Aunt Agatha has arrived and departed that way several
times; though I’ve no idea why she should have been persuaded to do this when
she’d just invited us to visit.’
    ‘I hope you’re not intending to meddle in
affairs that are best left to Lord Colebrook, my dear?’
    Hester knew better than to tell Birdie she was
determined to be involved, already her cousin had taken his men out into the
snow in order to follow her instructions.
    ‘It’s a good thing we’re snug and well provided
for here, I doubt if anyone will be able to visit or bring us extra provisions
until the snow has gone.’
    ‘It’s unseasonably early to be so cold. I’m
sure it will not last long, it rarely does when it comes before Christmastide.
I found Polly sitting in your bedchamber altering an evening gown for you. Are
you intending to dress for dinner?’
    Hester flushed; this was exactly what she
wished to do. She wanted to show her cousin that she wasn’t a child but a young
woman of equal standing. By doing so, if she was honest, she would also appear
at her best. This was a new experience for her; she had always dressed to
please herself but for some reason she wanted Colebrook to know she was as
sophisticated and elegant as anyone he might meet as a peer of the realm.
    ‘I have to wear something in the evening. Good
heavens, surely you don’t intend to sit down to dine with a duke dressed any
old how?’
    ‘I do not intend to dine with him at all, my
dear. It’s not my place to sit with you and Lord Colebrook. I’m the housekeeper
at the moment and although I intend to eat breakfast and luncheon with you - in
the evening I’ll have a tray in my room as befits my station.’
    Hester stared suspiciously. Since when had
Birdie worried about such matters? They did everything together, when she
entertained friends at either the Town house or at Draycot Manor, her companion always sat at table with them. ‘That’s nonsense and you
know it. You always eat with Aunt Agatha and I, why should anything be
different just because my cousin has been elevated?’
    ‘Things are different, my dear, because I am assuming the role of housekeeper and in order
to do this properly, I cannot have a foot in both camps so to speak. It’s
perfectly acceptable to dine alone with someone who’s related to you. I believe
his grace explained that you’re in his charge now. Although you’re of age and
have full control of your fortune, whilst we’re here I’m afraid you’ll have to
accept he’s standing as your guardian.’
    So that was how the land lay. Hester’s first
suspicion about her summons to Neddingfield Hall was not so far out after all.
Where Aunt Agatha had left off her companion was continuing. This was patent
nonsense; she wasn’t any way under the