Getting dressed, I put on what I considered “lady” clothes. A skirt and blouse, dark, to show mourning, but I couldn’t resist wearing some kick-ass heels. I needed something to make me feel strong and pulled together, and those shoes were just the thing. Looking in the mirror, I nodded in approval. I pulled my hair up into a simple twist and chose very bland jewelry. Simple studs and the ring Granddad had given me.
Taking a deep breath, I walked down the hall and to my father’s side of the house. I could hear his snores before I even got to his room. I knocked on the door and waited. There was no answer so I knocked again. It would be best if he woke up before I went into the room. I’d learned the hard way as a child that you didn’t wake my father up from a bender by touching him. It always ended poorly.
“Father?” I opened the door a crack and knocked louder.
“Wha . . . ?” His groggy voice turned into a snore.
“Dad, I need to talk to you.” I peeked in the room and grimaced. He was sleeping on top of his blankets, still in his suit from the night before.
“Jesus.” He rolled over. “Can’t a man sleep in peace?”
“We have to address the township today about Granddad.” I stepped into the room, but stayed well out of reach.
“What? Why?” He didn’t roll over to look at me.
“It’s tradition for the family to address the township when the duke passes away. A sign of respect and solidarity.” I clasped my hands in front of me.
He grunted but didn’t say anything else.
“I was told that it typically falls to the new duke or duchess.”
“I’m not going out there to tell them something they already fucking know.” He growled and sat up. “You do it. You’re so set on being Duchess of Thysmer anyway.”
“I’m not trying to be duchess. I’m just trying to help.” I eased a little closer to the door. “There’s a lot to do.”
“No one asked you.” He kicked his shoes off angrily.
“It’s my duty as part of the family.” I opened the door a little and he threw his arm up to block the light.
“Listen to you.” He snorted. “ ‘Duty as part of the family.’ What bullshit. You’re from the poor side of town, Meredith. Putting on fancy clothes won’t change what we are, who we are.”
“This could be our chance to do more with our lives.” I took a deep breath.
“You sound like my father. Talking about making the best out of this ‘gift.’ ” He pulled his suit jacket off. “Get the hell out of here. Go do your duty.”
“Yes, sir.” I couldn’t keep the disgust out of my tone, but I doubted he heard it. He was already snoring when I closed the door. He would likely not remember any of our exchange. Just another thing for him to be angry about later. But for now I could just focus on the important tasks at hand.
“My lady, Rachel, the palace aide, has arrived.” Gerard met me at the top of the stairs. “I believe that she has put together a press conference to address the township.”
“Yes, thank you.” I looked toward Marty’s door and frowned. I didn’t want him to have to attend the event with me. It was going to be hard enough at the actual funeral.
“Shall I see to your father?” The butler’s face remained blank.
“No, he won’t be attending.” I glanced at a mirror on the wall before descending the stairs.
“Yes, ma’am.” The butler followed behind me, careful to keep his distance.
“Would you make sure that the nanny is available for Marty? I’m not sure how long today will take.”
“Of course, ma’am.”
“And would you see to it that breakfast is served in the dining room?” I smiled at him.
“I believe the cook has everything ready. Including, a proper pastry for the young Marty.” His eyes twinkled.
“You mean a Pop-Tart?” I laughed. Marty had begged for his favorite food when we’d first moved into the large, strange house. He’d just wanted something familiar. The chef had been horrified that he’d rather eat something out of a box than one of her creations. It had taken a lot of explanation and placation on my part to keep feelings from being hurt. “Did the cook cry while putting it in the toaster?”
“She was distinctly not amused, my lady.” His lips curved upward.
“Well, Marty will be grateful.” I brushed at my skirt. “Is Rachel in the sitting room or the dining room?”
“I believe she is waiting for you in the sitting room.” He stepped forward to open the door for me. “Do you require anything else?”
“No thank you.”
Gerard let me walk through the door before pulling it closed.
“Good morning, my lady.” Rachel stood up and bobbed her head.
“Please, call me Meredith.” I tried to not let the curtsy give me the heebie-jeebies. There was something very weird about having a dignified, older woman bow to me. Especially when not that long ago I might have been her maid. Or a cocktail waitress at an event she was hosting.
“Thank you, Meredith.” She smiled.
“Have you eaten breakfast? The cook has prepared something for us.” I motioned toward the dining room.
“Oh, that would be lovely.” She started gathering her papers. “I had a quick cup of tea and hurried over here. I didn’t want to leave you to handle all of this on your own.”
“Leave the papers. We’ll come back here to go over stuff.” I smiled, despite my annoyance. Why did every one seem to think I couldn’t handle the situation on my own? “No reason to ruin good food with paperwork!”
“Well, thank you so much.” She looked around the house as we walked to the dining room. “Thysmer Manor is a beautiful home! A friend of mine was one of the caretakers over the years. He took great pride in keeping the house in the same shape it was left.”
“I’ve never lived in a place as grand as this one.” I opened the dining room door for us. The smell of food wafted across my face and made my stomach growl. “It’s been interesting to learn some of its secrets.”
“Did you know that there used to be a servants’ quarters behind the stables?” She took a seat next to the head of the table. Avoiding the ornate chair, I sat across from her instead. The last thing I wanted was for my father to walk in and see me sitting in the duke’s spot.
“I did! You can still see where the original foundation sat.” I poured some tea into my cup. “Supposedly, the place was burned down by a rival.”
“Yes, just before the Thysmer family left.” She shifted food on to her plate. “It was during all of that terrible mess with the would-be usurpers hundreds of years ago. Thankfully all of the servants were unhurt and it is said that the duke left them each a sum of money before he left. The Thysmer family treated their workers well.”
“It still must’ve been hard for them to find themselves homeless and jobless.” I frowned thinking about it. “And the township could have fallen into disrepair.”
“The crown saw to the townships, appointing stewards and finding jobs for those who were left without anything.” She shrugged her delicate shoulders. “It was a terrible time for many, and no one could blame the families for leaving to protect themselves. If your children are in danger, you drop everything and find a way to shield them.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” I frowned. Wouldn’t I do anything to protect Marty? Even if it meant giving up everything we’d been given? Damn straight I would. We’d find a way to make it work.
“Anyway, I’ve always heard stories about Thysmer Manor and its grounds. Supposedly some of the best gardens in the country.” She turned to look out a window.
“It’s beautiful in the spring.” I glanced out the window. “Marty loves the backyard. He can catch all kinds of little critters to play with.”
“Is there a pond back there? I bet there are frogs aplenty.” She grinned.
“Frogs, bugs, lizards. You name it and it’s back there.” I shook my head. “I never know what he’s going to come back
with.”
“It’s good for them to play outdoors. Fresh air for their lungs. Have adventures.”
“Do you have children?”
“Oh yes, three. All grown now with their own young ones.” She smiled fondly. “But I remember when they were bringing me their own frogs.”
“Mom!” The door pushed open and Marty walked in. He was still wearing the rumpled clothes he had fallen asleep in last night.
“Hungry?” I turned to look at him and tried to not smile. His hair was sticking up off the top of his head.
“Starving.” He sat down next to me and I put his preferred breakfast on his plate.
“Good morning.” Rachel smiled at Marty. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yep.” He shoved half of his Pop-Tart in his mouth.
“Marty.” I leveled a glare in his direction and he hurriedly chewed what was in his mouth.
“Sorry.” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” I bumped him with my arm. “Ms. Rachel is here to help with some things I have to take care of today.”
“Is that why you’re all dressed up?”
“It is. I have to go speak in town.”
“Speak? Like a speech?” He frowned. “Do I have to go?”
“No, you can stay here, but don’t bother your grandfather and take it easy on the nanny.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He bit into his food with a big smile. The boy had not inherited my love of the spotlight. Though to be fair, I wasn’t exactly looking forward to doing this particular speech.
“Is your father not joining us?” Rachel watched me with a calm face.
“No, I’m afraid it will just be me.” I stomped on the anger that flared up. It was better this way. I’d rather people remember my granddad, not the way my father slurred through a speech.
“I suppose that he is taking the death of his father very hard.” She sighed. “Don’t worry, though, you’re in good hands with me.”
“Thank you.” I nodded my head. “I hate to be a burden.”
“Nonsense! When one of our own is suffering, we all pitch in to help.” She set her fork down. “I’m not here to take over, just to help. This is not the first royal funeral I have planned.”
“You were a great help yesterday. You had everything planned out.” I sighed. “I had no idea what all went into a funeral.”
“Lots of details to take care of, but then I’m a detail-oriented person. That’s why they sent me.” She reached out and patted my hand. “Don’t you worry, dear. We’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.”
“Thank you.” The rest of our breakfast consisted of small talk and questions for Marty. It was sort of peaceful, like having a long-lost grandmother show up. She obviously knew her way around the royal scene, but her demeanor was so comfortable I was able to relax. Even the day before had been painless, with the exception of what happened with my father.
When Marty had finished his breakfast, he disappeared with the nanny to get dressed and find something to do.
“Have you thought about what you would say to the township?” Rachel sat down on the chair across from me in the sitting room.
“Um, a little.” I frowned. “Actually I was going to ask you if there was a certain protocol or how it would normally be handled.”
“Just a short acknowledgment of his passing, expressing your family’s sorrow, and promising that the township would be taken care of no matter what.” She frowned. “It’s a little unusual that his granddaughter would be the one to pass on the information, but not so much that people will complain.”
“Would they really complain?” I frowned as my stomach churned.
“No, no. It’s usually the first duty that the new duke takes on, but no one will question that it’s you making the address.” She looked down for a minute before looking back at me with shrewd eyes. “Might I speak frankly, my lady?”
“Please call me Meredith and yes, by all means.” I sat back in my chair.
“Are you planning on staying and covering for your father forever? Or are you going to go back to England?” Her grandmotherly demeanor seemed to sharpen. “I know that’s terribly blunt of me to ask, but it might make the township feel better to know one way or the other.”
“I don’t want to. I have a life in England . . . but I can’t leave the township with no one to help.” Sighing, I leaned forward and tried to dispel the fear that thought brought. “Is this why the palace sent you?”
“It is known by certain people that your father has a problem.” She poured herself a cup of tea. “And he is certainly not the first person to deal with this particular problem. When needed, people are employed by the palace to help.”
“And you’re one of those people?” I felt my smile tighten.
“I am.” She looked at me over her glasses. “One thing I want you to know is that this is not a reflection on you. Quite the opposite. I’m here to help you and Marty during a difficult time. In any way you need me to.”
“What do you mean exactly?”
“I’m here to help with your father, to make sure he doesn’t do anything too far out of line. We’d hate to see him stripped of his title and his township passed down.” She sat back in her chair. “Passed down to you.”
“Oh Jesus, no.” I felt my eyes widen. “Do you know what that would cause?” I looked over my shoulder to make sure no one else heard. Panic raced up my spine as I thought of how my father would react.
“I assume that he would be greatly upset.” She nodded her head. “But from the fear in your eyes, I’m guessing it goes beyond that.”
“My father’s temper . . . it’s not something to take lightly.” I tried to calm my thumping heart.
“Are you aware that your grandfather left a will?” She cocked her head to the side. “It was done in secrecy and entrusted to the crown.”
“No.” I shook my head and took a deep breath. Shock sharpened my response and I wanted to shake her for not telling me sooner. “What does it say?”
“There will be a formal reading the day after the funeral. As of now, only the attorney, witness, and Her Majesty know what is included.”
“Who was the witness?” I narrowed my eyes. Who would my grandfather entrust with a will? And for the love of all things good, why hadn’t he told me about it?
“I don’t know.” She shook her head.
“You’re worried about what is in the will.” I frowned. “You’re worried that my grandfather left everything to my father. Nothing left to me and Marty which would leave us at my father’s mercy, or I’d have to start all over. Which I would and could do.” My sadness was replaced by determination.
“It is possible.” Her face was blank and I fought the urge to shake my head. Granddad had been blind to his son’s follies. However, I couldn’t really say it surprised me. He would expect my father to take care of me and Marty, not the other way around.
“I cannot stay here with my father forever.” I could feel the determination stiffen my back. “I can’t.”
“I understand.” She was so calm, so patient. It was at complete odds with how I was feeling.
“Why are you here?”
“I’m here to help however you need it.”
She was here for me. Not for my father. Message delivered.
“And if I ask you to leave?” Would the crown object?
“If that’s what you’d prefer, then I will go, but I’m asking you to let me help. I can stay out of the way, attend to the basic paperwork, act as an event planner. But if you need something else, I’m here. Simple as that.”
“So you’re here to spy for the queen?” I ran my fingers over the upholstery of the chair I was sitting in. “And I’m supposed to just let you?”
“I’m here to help.” She frowned. “The queen did send me, but it wasn’t to spy for her. I’m mainly here to help you through a difficult time. She didn’t tell me much more than that. Though—she was worried a
bout your father’s problem.”
My frustration was at an all-time high. “Is there any one left that doesn’t know my father is a drunk?”
She didn’t respond, just watched me with sad eyes. I stood up and paced the length of the room.
“He’s going to ruin the family.” I turned and looked at her. “With Granddad gone, there is no one to stop him.”
“There is you.” Her words were quiet.
“I am not my father’s keeper.” I growled the words and rubbed at my temples. “I should not have to take care of that man.”
“No, you shouldn’t.” She set her teacup down. “But I’m here to help.”
I looked at her and laughed. “You have no idea what you’re signing up for.”
“Then tell me.”
“My father . . . he’s an angry drunk, Rachel. And he takes it out on the closest person he can find.” I sat down in the chair, defeated. Telling someone such a deep, dark secret was physically painful. I felt drained to the point of exhaustion. “It’s why I moved to England with Marty.”
“Sweetheart, you’re not the first person to deal with this. Hell, you’re not the first royal to deal with this.”
I couldn’t help but snort when she cursed. “I know that, I do.”
“There’s a reason that they chose me to come out here. My father was a right bastard.” Those words said in her motherly tone made me shake my head. “My mother worked for the palace, so it wasn’t a big secret. It wasn’t until she went in to work with a black eye that anyone did anything about it.”
“What could they do?” I shook my head.
“They offered him treatment. He refused.” She shrugged. “So they gave her the means to leave him without worrying about her children.”
I didn’t say anything. I had left. I had moved away and was starting to make a new life for me and my son. Now here I was dancing around my father and feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.
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