Game of Dukes by Wendy Soliman

Author:Wendy Soliman [Soliman, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2019-02-25T05:00:00+00:00

*

Celeste went about her vastly reduced duties that afternoon with a lightness of step. The maids were making good progress with the drawing room and she enjoyed seeing them bringing it slowly back to life. The drapes had been removed and beaten, as had the rugs. The pictures were in the process of being carefully cleaned. Maids scrubbed at walls and windows. Polishing would come next and then, after the sweep’s visit, the dust sheets could be removed from the furniture.

Her morning’s ride with Phin had been a revelation. As she became better acquainted with him, she liked him more and more. He was a complex character, but so like Matthew that her heart broke anew every time she looked at him. His generous gift of a mare had taken her completely by surprise, but was typical of the man she was getting to know—and to like perhaps a little too much. She sat beside the range in the kitchen, glad to see Mrs Gibson’s helpers bustling about whilst that lady sat beside Celeste, drinking tea and watching Celeste persuade her kitten to take more milk, which it did with enthusiasm.

‘Another saved soul,’ Mrs Gibson said, smiling.

‘Well, we do live in an Abbey, Mrs G, so I suppose that is what we are supposed to do. Carry on the tradition, I mean.’

‘Ha! If you ask me, the religious have the least reason to be sanctimonious. How many wars have been fought in the name of religion, every side convinced that theirs is the one true God?’

‘We are feeling philosophical today,’ Celeste replied, smiling. ‘Must be all the free time you now have in which to reflect, rather than worrying about your soufflés rising.’

‘I dare say you’re right, but you won’t hear me complaining. Anyway, how was the duke this morning?’

‘In a pensive mood. He would dearly love to know why his father and uncle argued.’

Mrs Gibson’s face darkened. ‘Some things are best left in the past.’

‘You know?’ Celeste gave Mrs Gibson her full attention. ‘Don’t you think you should enlighten him? He has a right to know, especially given what he’s doing for this place when he doesn’t really want to.’

‘I don’t know anything for sure. I heard whispers at the time. All sorts of rumours abounded when Phin’s father abruptly left the Abbey. He and the old duke had been close, but then all of a sudden they were at loggerheads. But I have no proof to support what I heard said. It would do more harm than good if I told him. You know how things get exaggerated in the retelling.’

‘He isn’t a child anymore and can draw his own conclusions.’

‘Very likely,’ Mrs Gibson replied, jutting her chin pugnaciously, ‘but he won’t hear it from me.’ She lumbered to her feet and chastised the kitchen maid for some minor transgression. It had been unnecessary and Celeste guessed that Mrs Gibson had only done so to avoid continuing her conversation with her. With a sigh, she accepted that she

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