The American Duke: A Regency-Era Novel by August Jade Sterling

Author:August Jade Sterling
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Krystal Kat Press
Published: 2023-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Ivy Hall

County Hampshire

Eight Days before the Ball

“It’s from the History of the Westmoures.” Beth snorted as she continued to read. “Honorable renegades. Ha, they were all rakes! This is what I was looking for. Listen! ‘Ivy Hall, the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Westmoure, is made of pale-gray local stone, with ivy covering half of the manor house. The original square building has been added on to by every successive duke. Each brought his own personality to the family home which has produced a building with a mixed hodgepodge of additions, including turrets jutting out in different directions, connecting passages, and glassed enclosed conservatories.’”

As the carriage rolled down the lane that evening, the trees looked like tall soldiers standing sentinel, giving the impression there was a small town nestled at the end. The lane opened onto a meadow, and Ivy Hall sat in the middle. The circular drive leading to the front door was flanked by fountains and lush gardens. Taken as a whole, the mansion looked like a little village with the odd spire here or there.

Of the one hundred and fifty rooms, there were forty-six bedrooms, several receiving rooms, a dining room large enough to accommodate one hundred, an art gallery in addition to the gallery of ancestors, several libraries and studies, a morning room, a music room, two ballrooms, and numerous other rooms. The two-story entrance, topped with a dome of pale blue trimmed in gold, gave the illusion of being outside on a sunny, cloudless day. A massive double-sided staircase led to the family apartments and guest rooms. The duke’s apartment, housed in the east wing of the mansion, overlooked the sea. Oriental and Aubusson rugs sat atop marble and hardwood floors.

Her Grace and the housekeeper, Mrs. Spencer, were discussing menus when two messages arrived. Caroline and her family were joining them, as were Miriam and Ash. Both notes said, Coming to learn to shoot.

“Mrs. Spencer, we’re having company, the Marquess of Broadhurst and his family, and the Earl of Danford and his wife.”

“Your Grace, the families have been friends for generations. If they’re coming, the Duke and Duchess of Edgerton won’t be far behind. You should also expect the Duke and Duchess of Northampton, and the Duke and Duchess of Carrington. If I may suggest, you might want to send an invitation asking them to join you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Spencer. We need to get those notes dispatched immediately. Do we know their favorite dishes and which rooms they prefer?”

“I’ll check our menu cards and files. It will be good to have the house filled with guests again. I must let Cook and the rest of the staff know of their arrival. I’ll send Oliver to you, so he can make sure the notes are dispatched at once.”

The footman assisted Caroline into the carriage and inquired if she needed anything else to make her trip more comfortable. Seymour handed her the news sheet, opened to the Society News.

“Thank you, Seymour.” As the well-sprung traveling coach headed out of London, Caroline read the latest gossip.

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