An Arranged Betrothal with a Contrite Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Sally Forbes

Author:Sally Forbes [Forbes, Sally]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-25T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

The following day, Lydia decided that she would take the initiative to spend some quality time with her husband. She realized that, as duchess, Michael might look to her to make such arrangements. It took her a whole day to come up with a good way to show her gratitude to Michael for letting her begin work on the school. But at last, she had the perfect idea. She called for Hester, choosing a deep purple evening gown to dress for the day. She knew by then that Michael would spend all day in his study. So, she was ready for her lady’s maid when she arrived, and Hester dressed her and styled her hair in loose hanging ringlets in no time.

When she was dressed, she hurried downstairs, heading straight for the kitchens. She found the cook preparing lunch for the day, and she gave the robust woman a bright smile.

“I do hate to bother you,” she said. “But I was hoping that you might be able to arrange a picnic for Michael and me for the day.”

The cook curtseyed to her, giving her a very warm smile.

“It is no bother at all, milady duchess,” she said. “I am happy to do that for you. What would you like me to prepare?”

Lydia thought it over for a moment. She had noticed that Michael seemed to enjoy lamb stew and fried pork with potatoes and freshly baked bread. She told the cook as much, adding to the meal a rhubarb pie, to which the woman happily agreed. She thanked the cook, leaving the kitchens in a rush and searching desperately for Patterson. She would need his help if she was to surprise her husband. Not only would the butler know where he was, but he would also be able to give her some advice for luring Michael out of his study.

She found Patterson lingering in the entryway of Strawbridge Manor. She hurried up to him, giving him a kind, nervous smile.

“Good day, Patterson,” she said.

The butler bowed elegantly to her.

“Good day, milady duchess,” he said. “How may I serve?”

Lydia blushed.

“I am planning a surprise lunch for Michael,” she said. “Is he in his study?”

The butler’s expression fell, though he nodded slowly.

“He is,” he said. “However, I believe he is preparing for a meeting later today.”

Lydia’s heart also sank. Why hadn’t he mentioned any such meeting to her? He couldn’t have possibly known that she had any plans for the day, as she herself hadn’t known until that morning. And as a gentleman, he didn’t owe her an explanation for all his business dealings. But why hadn’t he at least let her know in case she had needed him for something?

Determined, she gave the butler a nod.

“Thank you,” she said. “Perhaps, I can get him to take a little time to relax before his meeting.”

The butler bowed, but his eyes filled with doubt. Lydia wanted to ask him what was troubling him, but the man excused himself before she could. Just then, one of the young maids rushed up to her, holding the picnic basket carefully in her hands.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.