His Grace laughed and then seeing her shock, winked at her. “Stevenson has always been so blunt. I assure you, you get used to it.”
Ann continued to look at her new husband with doubt.
He laughed again. “As a young footman, Stevenson was assigned the task of watching over me when I played outside.”
“The nurses couldn’t keep up with the young scamp,” Stevenson said with obvious pride in his employer’s character.
“Anyway,” His Grace continued, “he took on the habit of being blunt at that time.”
“In all honesty, Your Grace,” the butler said to her., “it was the only way to stop the boy from killing himself by accident.”
The Duke laughed. “Yes, well, as a result I have come to rely on Stevenson’s honest assessment. It is one of the few things in this world I know to be from the heart.”
Ann smiled her understanding to the butler, but deep inside, a new worry flared up. What would he say to His Grace about her? What if he found her obvious ignorance and lack of standing to be inadequate?
How could she ever hope to operate in this world? Even the servants would be judging her. Perhaps most harshly of all.
Continuing to smile, she said, “It is very nice to meet someone His Grace can rely upon to tell him when he is making a mistake. Heaven knows he can use all the help he can get.”
The butler almost laughed, but bit it back quickly as he studied her for a brief moment. Then he nodded slightly, as if he had found a kindred spirit.
“Yes, Your Grace. We will do our best to keep the mistakes to a minimum.”
She laughed as she caught a brief hesitant look on The Duke’s face. As if he had not foreseen this possibility. His wife and his butler joining forces to correct him when necessary.
The door opened behind them as footmen began to carry in their few trunks and bags.
“Have those placed in my room,” the Duke said.
Ann felt her face flush as she realized what everyone would think. What they would know.
Turning to her, he dipped his head, as if he might have overstepped his bounds. But she could see behind his eyes that he was not going to allow her to avoid the marriage bed. The thought made her insides grow weak with fear. Not because of what might happen. But because she feared she might enjoy it too much.
If she lost her heart to this man, he would have total control. It would be as if she had sacrificed the last bit of her soul.
“Is Your Grace’s maid traveling with you?” the butler asked.
Ann almost laughed at the absurdity, but quickly stopped herself.
“We will need to obtain a lady’s maid,” the Duke said, stepping in to save her from making a social error.
Stevenson nodded. “Perhaps, young Margaret, one of the chambermaids. At least until you find what you desire, Your Grace.”
Ann gathered herself. “Yes, that sounds wonderful.” A lady’s maid. Who would ever have thought?
For the first time, Ann took a moment to look around her new home. A black and white marble floor. A wide entrance hall with a dozen different doors leading off into other rooms and a long hall that led to the back.
Two huge staircases that swung up either side. Highly polished wood and burning candles in every sconce.
“Should I call the other staff for introductions, Your Grace?” Stevenson asked the Duke.
“Not now,” the Duke said as he gently placed a hand on the lower part of Ann’s back and started to steer her towards one of the side rooms. “Have cook send us something in the library. I am famished.”
Ann allowed herself to be led to the library and almost fainted when the Duke opened the room and led her in. Books. Thousands and thousands of books.
The Duke caught her shock and smiled. “I thought you would be impressed.”
She stared at him then again at the shelves that reached twenty feet to the ceiling.
“How, … why?”
He shrugged. “My grandfather started it. My father, … while he might have been a bit of a rake. He at least liked to read. So, he added to it. And then, a few years ago, I let it be known that I was interested in unique books. It just seemed to grow and grow.
Ann twirled around to take it all in. A balcony ran around the room half way up. Giving a person easy access to the top shelves. In the center, before two French doors, sat a large oak desk the size of a small sailing vessel. At the far end, a large fireplace with several plush seats arranged around it.
Oh, how she was going to love this room, she realized. She could just imagine curling up before that fire with a book on her lap. And then the thought of her children growing up in such a world with access to all of this filled her with a happiness.
Suddenly, the realization of what had happened to her was finally settling in. Children. They, the Duke and herself, might very well produce children.
Her cheeks grew warm as she turned away from him unless he read her mind. It was too soon. Besides. What would it mean to bring children into a loveless marriage? What impact would that have on them?
Maybe, if they were kind to each other, it would be manageable. She could hope at least.
As she turned back to him, the library door flew open as an older woman stormed in. Dark hair with quite a bit of gray. A finely made day dress in a pretty shade of green. With a golden broach. Wealth, it said. A lot of wealth.
Stevenson followed her in and raised an eyebrow while he shrugged, as if to say he was sorry for not being able to stop the woman.
“Norwich,” the older woman exclaimed. “What is the meaning of this?”
The Duke smiled weakly then glanced over at the large clock standing in the corner of the room.
“Mother, you made remarkable time.”
Ann’s stomach fell. She wasn’t ready for this. Not now, possibly not ever. His mother. And it appeared she had not been informed of his nuptials.
Reaching up, the woman pulled the Duke down so she could brush his cheek with hers then stepped back and glanced at Ann.
Ann felt her world wobble as she desperately wished she could be anywhere but there.
“Your Grace,” Ann said as she dipped into a deep curtsey.
The older woman simply nodded her acknowledgment and then turned back to her son and raised an eyebrow.
“Mother,” the Duke said as he stepped over next to his wife, “may I introduce, Ann, my wife, the Duchess of Norwich.”
The older woman’s face drained of all color as her eyes exploded in shock.
“Ann,” the Duke said to her, “my Mother, now the Dowager, Duchess of Norwich.”
Ann’s stomach hurt as if someone had shoved a knife into her over an over. This was so not right. It was almost as if he was enjoying causing them both pain. How could he do this? Not warn his mother. Not warn her. Didn’t he realize that a woman needed time to prepare for such a moment?
What must she think? Ann wondered. Her son returns home with a new bride. Someone she had never met. Someone she had not vetted nor approved of.
Suddenly, the realization of just how out of place she was filled Ann with a sense of dread and pure fear.
The older woman studied her for a long moment, obviously cataloging every error and failing. She was still in her wedding dress. She was obviously not of his world, nor his class. One thing Ann could be sure of. This woman knew every credible candidate in the empire. And obviously, she was not on that list.
Turning back to her son, his mother’s brow narrowed for a second then she reached out and slapped him on the shoulder.
Ann almost gasped. For some reason, she thought the woman would have preferred to cuff him upside the head but she couldn’t reach that high. So instead she had hit his shoulder.
“You always were an idiot,” she said as she shook her head.
Ann winced, this was so not going well. The woman already hated her.
The older woman turned to her, continuing to examine her. Ann forced herself to remain still. She was
positive that she would spend the rest of her life trying to make this woman accept her and would fail constantly.
The thought, however, had no sooner occurred when the woman smiled gently and shook her head.
“The boy always was an idiot,” she said to Ann. “To spring this on you without warning. Heartless. Almost cruel. Introducing you to his mother before she even knows he is to be married. Cruel, I tell you.”
Ann felt her insides relax. The woman didn’t hate her. She was upset with The Duke. Something she could understand perfectly.
“I didn’t have time,” the Duke began. “I couldn’t afford the word getting out until I was on the scene to handle the repercussions.”
His mother waved her hand, dismissing his statement.
“What repercussions?” Ann asked before she could stop herself. Why was marrying her so controversial?
He saw her frown and sighed heavily. “I am involved in several business arrangements. Large investments.”
“Men who hoped to marry him off to their daughters,” his mother interjected.
He nodded. “Perhaps, but the businesses are sound. I hope to stop any confusion. If I inform these men myself, I will be able to mitigate the ramifications.”
Ann frowned. Business? What did that have to do with all of this? If that was so important. Then why had he married her?
His mother looked back and forth between them and slowly shook her head. Stepping up next to her new daughter-in-law, Ann caught a hint of expensive perfume and cringed inside. The most she had ever used was crushed rose petals.
His mother wove her hand under Ann’s arm and squeezed. “Men? Everything is business with them.”
The Duke shrugged as he stepped behind his desk and started going through a pile of envelopes.
“Let me guess,” the Dowager continued, “You were caught in a compromising situation. That was why you married so quickly?”
Ann swallowed hard as she nodded. She so didn’t want to have this discussion. Especially not with his mother.
“The reason for the marriage is immaterial,” the Duke said without looking up from his letters.
Ann’s heart fell. It sounded so cold. His mother obviously thought so as well as she shook her head.
“No, that will never do. We will tell people that you met, fell in love, and couldn’t wait for societies approval. Nothing could stop you from being together.”
Ann’s heart fell even further. Oh, how she wished that could be the true story.
“You might add,” the Duke said as he used a small knife to break the wax seal on the back of a letter, “that I was in disguise, and that Ann didn’t know I was a duke.”
His mother gasped as she pulled back to look at Ann. “Is that true?”
Ann grimaced as she nodded. Taking a deep breath, she told the entire story to his mother. Falling out of the apple tree. The long walks in the forest, the dance in the moonlight, and then their discovery in the garden.
The woman’s eyes grew bigger and bigger as she took in the story. Once she was done, the Dowager frowned as she studied her son for a long moment. Ann could tell that the woman was trying to work out a puzzle but really, she herself was still trying to understand what had happened. It all seemed so unreal.
“I should add,” Ann began hesitantly. “I am a merchant’s daughter. Not a lady. I still don’t understand how this all happened. And I have absolutely no idea how to be a lady. Let alone a duchess.”
Once she was done, she held her breath while she waited for his mother to explode with anger and indignation.
Instead, the woman smiled kindly. “Good, we need new blood around her. Things are getting ossified.”
The duke shook his head, “Mother, I don’t believe you know what ossified means.”
The older woman scoffed. “I know you use it when you talk about parliament to say they are stuck in their ways. Correct.”
He pursed his lips and nodded.
“Yes, well, that’s the ton, if I know anything.”
Ann watched their exchange closely, searching for any clues that might help her navigate this new world. It appeared as if the Duke tolerated his mother. But buried deep was a respect and perhaps even a touch of love. The realization made her feel a tad better. If he could respect his mother then, perhaps, she had a chance. At least for a tolerable life.
Chapter Fourteen
Ann felt as if her world were whirling about her at twice the speed of normal. She was standing in a grand library in her wedding dress. Her wedding night before her. Her husband was rifling through his letters and his mother was looking at her as if she were a broodmare who would improve the family’s bloodlines.
Before she could even process it all, the library door opened as Stevenson stepped in followed by a train of footmen, each carrying a large silver tray piled high with food. Meats and cheeses, cakes and tarts.
Men waiting on her. Would the world ever be real again?
“I am sorry, Your Grace,” Stevenson said to the Duke with a frown. “This was all cook had available. Again, one of the consequences of not keeping us informed.”
Ann glanced at the Dowager to see how she would react to the butler’s comment, but the woman simply smiled as she took a tart from a tray. Obviously, she was perfectly amenable to the butler’s manner.
“They will do,” the Duke said as he left his desk to fill a small plate with several different meats and cheeses. Glancing over at her, he raised an eyebrow.
Ann’s stomach tightened up. Under no circumstances could she eat anything. Her world had been turned upside down, her insides would surely rebel. She shook her head and he shrugged.
Lady Norwich took another tart then turned and examined her closely.
Ann felt as if she were on the auction block being examined by a keen buyer.
“Mother,” the Duke said. “I assume Ann can rely upon you for assistance.”
Lady Norwich scoffed and shook her head. “The dear is going to need more than assistance. She’s going to need a well-coordinated plan, executed by experts to pull this off.”
The Duke smiled at her and nodded. “Something you will love doing, I don’t doubt.”
Ann was engulfed in a wave of fear and shame. These people were talking about her as if she were a project. A tool. How had she allowed herself to be put in such a predicament?
“Where to start? That is the question,” Lady Norwich said as she raised a hand to her chin and thought deeply. “A new wardrobe of course. Everything, I should imagine.”
“Whatever you need,” the Duke said as he took his plate back to his desk and once again started going through his letters.
“A ball of course, here. An opportunity for the right people to get a chance to meet her.”
Ann flashed back to the last dance she attended. One thing she was sure of, this would be different. She would be judged on everything. And the people attending would be the Duke’s friends. His world. How could she hope to survive?
“And then there is the palace of course,” Lady Norwich continued. “I will write to the queen, get things started. I assume you sent a letter to Prinny,” she said to her son.
Ann gasped as she realized just what that meant. She would have to meet Queen Charlotte herself.
He nodded to his mother as he took another bite indicating he agreed.
“A few teas, the right people,” the Dowager continued. “Friends who can be relied upon to spread the proper story.”
“Yes, perfectly fine, I should think,” the Duke said. “And Ann’s two younger sisters will be joining us in a month or so. We will need tutors, and dance masters. You know those type of things.”
His mother smiled as she brought her hands together. “Oh, how wonderful.”
Ann thought for sure the woman was enjoying this much more than could be expected.
“Is this really necessary?” she asked, secretly hoping she could avoid all of this pomp and ceremony.
Lady Norwich pou
ted slightly and shook her head. “I am sorry dear. But this is very necessary. You are a Duchess. One step below royalty. There are expectations after all. It is the price we pay for this privilege.
Ann sighed heavily as she nodded, she hadn’t really expected to be rescued from such things, but it hadn’t hurt to ask.
“Now then,” Lady Norwich began. “I think …”
“That is enough for today Mother,” the Duke said as he left his desk to gently steer her towards the door. “You and Ann can discuss this all at another time.”
His mother frowned up at him, “But there is no time, we really must …”
“Tomorrow, Mother,” he said gently. “Do not forget, this is our wedding day. Such things can be delayed.”
Ann’s insides froze solid as his words registered. He wanted his mother to leave so that they could begin their marriage. That could mean only one thing. Once again, a sense of fear filled her. What would happen? How would she react? What would he think of her? He, who had obviously been with so many women. How would she compare?
The thoughts tumbling through her filled her with both terror and a touch of anticipation.
“Stevenson?” the Duke called out as he opened the door. “Please have one of the footmen escort my mother home. And have the staffs prepare baths. It has been a long day.”
“The baths are ready, Your Grace,” the butler said as he motioned for one of the footmen.
The Dowager Duchess stopped for a moment and looked back at Ann. It appeared to her as if the older woman wanted to say something. But she held back as she started to pull on her gloves and accept a bonnet from a maid.
“Very well, Norwich,” she said. “Tomorrow then.” She looked at them both for a second then smiled. “Late tomorrow I should think.”
The Duke nodded then stepped back to stand next to Ann. She felt her insides tighten into a knot. The man’s mere presence did something to her. Setting her nerves a light. He was so tall, smelling of alder and sandalwood. A physical presence that seemed to take up half the world.
Her stomach turned over. This was her husband she reminded herself. How had this happened?
Duke In Disguise (The Stafford Sisters Book 1) Page 10