“The swans were raised by my father, he loved them. Watching them brings me and my brother much joy. They shall not be harmed. Their life will come to an end naturally, not by the hand of some ill-tempered Earl!” His voice was shrill and he trembled with rage.
“I did not know Your Grace had such compassion for animals,” Miss Evans chimed in.
“I do not particularly care for wildlife. However, William and Matilda were dear to my father, and therefore they are to me.”
He saw the way his guests grinned at the mention of the fowls’ names.
“They have names, your swans?” Miss Evans suppressed a grin much better than the Chatterleys, who both giggled.
“My father named them after William the Conqueror and his wife Matilda. A happy match, and, as swans mate for life, it seemed only fitting.”
“Speaking of mating for life, how is the Lady Frances?” Lady Chatterley asked, twisting the knife in Maxwell’s chest.
“I do not know, for I have not seen her since they arrived. I am certain my mother has taken good care of her. I assume you would have seen her more recently. Did you not attend the luncheon with her?” He glanced from Lady Chatterley to Miss Evans. The two women looked at one another before the Lady answered.
“I most certainly did attend the luncheon. And your intended appeared rather well. I must say I was disheartened to find Miss Evans was not invited to the luncheon. I set out to search for her but was surprised to learn she had been assigned to a bedchamber alongside a maid.”
“Lady Chatterley, it is quite alright. I am quite comfortable where I am.” Miss Evans stepped in. Maxwell looked at her with surprise.
“You have been given a bedchamber in the staff quarters? By whom?”
She raised her head to look at him, eyes slightly averted.
“The Estate Steward directed me, and the footman showed me to the room.”
“It is rather a shame. I had been looking forward to spending time with Miss Evans, alas as she is not to attend the meals nor activities unless called for, I shall have to entertain myself. Perhaps Lady Mary, Lord Hendley’s sister, will be suitable company.”
Maxwell had to swallow his anger. To have Miss Evans delegated to the staff quarters was an inexcusable affront, most likely perpetrated by his mother. He had to fix it at once.
“Miss Evans, I apologize for the way you have been treated. I assumed you had been given one of the bedchambers upstairs, as is common for our guests. And of course, you will be attending the dinner tonight, as well as the ball and all other activities. Do not fret.”
“I was not fretting. While in the past, I have been treated as a guest rather than as a servant when visiting the homes of clients, I assure you, I am quite comfortable among the common folk, as I am a commoner myself.”
She held his glance until he could no longer bear the shame of having failed to ensure her needs were met. He looked away when Lady Chatterley filled the awkward silence.
“Faith! I told you that it was a simple mistake.” She turned to the Duke. “I told her it must have been a simple miscommunication between yourself and your staff. I knew there was no way she would be made to sleep and eat with the staff when she is a guest. Her very purpose is to facilitate a successful courtship between Your Grace and Lady Frances.”
Maxwell caught the way the Marquess had to suppress another laugh.
“Of course, of course. I apologize to you for the miscommunication. I wouldn’t dream of having you excluded from the festivities. Like the Marchioness pointed out, it is why you are here.”
Miss Evans looked him straight in the face, a firm smile on her lips.
“Perhaps his Grace would be so kind as to communicate his thoughts to the Steward and the Duchess, lest she be surprised to see me at dinner, and the ball tomorrow.”
Maxwell crossed his hands in front of him.
“Of course, I will make sure she is expecting you. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”
He started toward the house, struggling to control his rage. How dare his mother? She had attempted to block the matchmaker from coming in the first place, but of course, it would have been unusual not to have her there. Besides, Maxwell knew that neither his mother nor the Countess of Cladborough would have been very eager to attend every outing with him and Lady Frances. Consequently, his mother had no choice but to bring Miss Evans along. But to then treat her as though she were a servant….
* * *
“James!” He called out to his Estate Steward when he reached his office. James appeared at once, which given that Maxwell had installed him in an office right next to his, was no great surprise.
“Your Grace?”
“James, the matchmaker, Miss Evans. Which room has she been given?”
The steward, a polished man in his fifties, swallowed.
“She has been given the empty bed in the servant quarter, with Miss Hester. The one formerly occupied by Miss Maisie.”
“The scullery maid? She is in a room meant for a scullery maid? You understand she is an accomplished businesswoman, do you not James?”
The man’s lip trembled.
“Yes, Your Grace. I understand.”
“And where is the young woman to eat?”
The older man inhaled deeply but did not take his eyes off Maxwell.
“With the staff.”
“With the staff. I see. And who gave the order for her to be sleeping and eating with the staff?”
Maxwell already knew of course, but he had to hear it for himself.
“Your Grace’s mother, the Dowager Duchess gave the order. She instructed me to ensure the woman was attended to and comfortable but that she was to be given a room with the servants, and to take her meals with them as well. Given that all the other honored guests are of the gentry, Her Grace felt Miss Evans would be more comfortable among…” He stopped himself.
“Her own kind? Those are the words my mother used, I presume?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Maxwell sat and lifted his right ankle over his left knee, drumming his fingers on his leg.
“Did that appear to be a reasonable request given the way we usually treat guests here, noble or otherwise?”
The steward let out a long sigh. “Your Grace, I apologize. Of course, it is not, and I did point this out to the housekeeper when she informed me of the arrangement. I approached Her Grace about the matter; however, the Duchess was quite clear in her instructions. Your Grace is aware the Duchess is rather …”
“I am aware of what my mother is like.”
Suddenly Maxwell felt terrible for taking James to task in such a rough manner. He was certain if Miss Evans saw him conduct himself in such a manner she would not be pleased. Moreover, neither would his father. He had served as his father’s Estate Steward for more than two decades and he was one of the chief reasons why the Gatterlen wealth had grown without fail even when other landowners experienced hardship.
James knew better than most what kind of a woman Maxwell’s mother was. He dropped his head back, looking at the ceiling for a moment before pushing himself up out of the chair.
“I apologize, James. I am rather under pressure. I know you do what you can. Please, can you arrange to have Miss Evans moved from the servant quarters to one of the guest rooms, and make sure the kitchen staff know there will be an additional table setting needed in the dining room. She can take the seat next to Lord Hendley, as that should be appropriate.”
He’d rather have had her sit near to him. However, James was right. The guests were almost entirely members of the gentry, with Miss Evans the only commoner. It would not have been proper to have her seated higher up at the table. Given Hendley’s lower status, seating her near him and his sister made sense.
“And James? Please apologize to her on my behalf.” If only he could seek her out and tell her himself.
Chapter 25
Dinner was an awkward affair, for the Duchess so clearly despised Alexandra’s presence. I
t was only fortunate that enough people had been invited to the house party that Alexandra was able to avoid sitting too close to either the Duke or the Duchess.
The Duke sat at the head of the table, Lady Frances to his right and Lady Chatterley to his left. Mirroring the arrangement, the Duchess was at the foot of the table, flanked by The Earl of Cladborough and Lord Chatterley. Alexandra meanwhile was seated next to Lord Hendley, who had also escorted her to dinner. Across from her sat his sister, Lady Mary, and the Duke’s younger brother, Charles.
He was a lovely young man with fair hair and green eyes, though it was evident he was not like others his age. When he spoke, he did so in the manner more akin to a child than an adult man. He seemed unable to focus his gaze on anyone, even when engaged in conversation. Alexandra was glad to see that young Lady Mary and Lord Hendley took turns in entertaining him.
The long tabled hosted an assortment of other nobles, many of them friends of the Duchess as well as neighboring gentry. Unlike in London, she did not know most of them.
She was grateful that she at least had people around her she knew well. While she had been to many dinners of this sort, she had to admit the circumstances were rather intimidating. She could feel the displeased glances from the Duchess as well as the more adoring ones from the Duke throughout dinner. And she was not the only one. Halfway through the third course, Lord Hendley leaned toward her.
“The Duchess is rather displeased to have you here. I wonder why that is.”
Alexandra turned to her dinner companion. “She would rather I was not here. She dislikes me.”
“Perhaps it is because the Duke cannot stop glancing in our direction. I am rather a dashing young man, for sure, but by Jove, I know it is not me Gatterlen is looking at.”
Alexandra flushed, a heat running through her body.
First Lady Chatterley, now Lord Hendley! The Duchess clearly knows that things are not entirely professional between the Duke and me. And it is only a matter of time before the Earl figures out why the courtship is not moving forward. Oh, what a quandary I find myself in.
“Lord Hendley, I assure you, nothing untoward is …” He raised his hand and placed a finger in front of his mouth.
“I am certain there is not, for I know you well and I know you to be an honorable woman. Gatterlen must be more careful with the way he allows his feelings to show. It is not proper, and it is endangering both you and Lady Frances.”
Alexandra nodded. “I wish the Duke were as understanding of my situation as you are.”
Lord Hendley stuffed his mouth with a piece of bread and chewed before leaning in again to continue their hushed conversation.
“He understands. Somewhat. However, keep in mind his station in society is far above not just yours, but mine. It is difficult for someone who has been elevated so high all his life to truly appreciate the concerns of people like us.” He turned to look at his friend who had once again stolen a glance at Alexandra.
“I wish His Grace could see what a wonderful match Lady Frances is for him.”
Lord Hendley sighed. “As do I, dear Miss Evans, as do I. Lady Frances is a lovely woman indeed, and so cultured. She plays the pianoforte.”
“I know.”
The young man smiled at her. “Of course, you do.” He looked at the young lady for one moment. “I wonder if she likes Mozart. I shall have to ask her after dinner.”
Faith! Lord Hendley has taken a liking to Lady Frances. That is the last thing I need. These nobles are getting rather out of hand.
“My Lord, I promise I will soon find you a wife that is just as lovely and just as musical as Lady Frances.”
Hendley looked back at her, a strange expression of sorrow on his face.
“I hope it is true. If only Lady Frances was not courting my best friend. I would’ve liked to have spoken to the Earl about allowing me to court her.”
“My Lord…”
“I am aware that it would have been highly unlikely. And it is unseemly for me to envy my closest friend, but it also enrages me that he is so blind to what is in front of him.”
They did not have time to converse on the topic further as the next course was being served. Before Alexandra knew it, Lord Hendley was involved in a conversation with the lady on the other side of him, leaving Alexandra to make polite conversation with Lady Mary.
She simply had to move this courtship along, that much was for sure. It had to come to a conclusion before more people were hurt.
* * *
When dinner was over, the men retreated to play a game of cards, while Alexandra stood to join the ladies for tea and conversation. There would be a dance later in the evening. A small, intimate affair, nothing like the elaborate ball the Duchess had planned for the following evening.
Alexandra had almost made her way to the drawing room, accompanied by Lady Mary, when the Duke appeared.
“Miss Evans,” he started. “A word?”
Lady Mary bowed to the Duke and retreated, knowing her place in society well. When she was gone, the Duke approached Alexandra.
“I wanted to make sure you were moved to a more suitable bedchamber.”
Alexandra frowned. “Certainly, the housekeeper could have informed you of that, had you bothered to ask.”
“Certainly. However, I chose to ask you. I am mortified my mother arranged for such poor accommodations for you.” Alexandra smiled. The Duke made himself such an easy target for her sharp tongue.
“If you find your staff’s accommodations so lacking, perhaps it is a matter that requires attention.”
He closed his eyes and shook his head. Suddenly, she felt his hand on hers, giving her a squeeze. She wanted to withdraw her hand. She knew she had to. Yet, she could not.
“Oh Miss Evans, how I adore your wit.” They looked each other in the eye for one long moment and then she came to her senses. Pulling her hand away from his with one quick motion, she stepped back.
“Your Grace!”
“I am sorry, I find it rather difficult to control my impulses around you.”
“Then perhaps we should avoid being around one another, unless we are with Lady Frances.”
The Duke looked down at the marble floor, about to speak again when someone cleared their throat. They both looked up at once. Alexandra’s heart dropped when she saw the Earl of Cladborough and Lord Hendley both standing in the doorframe.
While Lord Cladborough wore his usual frowning expression, Lord Hendley appeared rather perturbed.
“Your Grace, we are one player short on a game of Whist. Care to join us?” Cladborough asked. “Perhaps you can use the occasion to inform me of any other pet fowl that I should be aware of.” His laughter roared and Alexandra could tell the Duke was boiling with rage.
“Yes, Your Grace. Join us, why don’t you?” Lord Hendley said. His voice carried a certain tone of disapproval.
“I shall be with you post haste. I was arranging an early morning walk with Lady Frances and ensuring that Miss Evans is available to chaperone.”
Alexandra took the opportunity to remove herself from this particular conversation.
“Yes, Your Grace. As I promised, I shall be ready bright and early. I will go and confirm with Lady Frances immediately.”
Alexandra turned and headed toward the drawing room where the ladies were drinking tea. As she walked, she turned her head towards Lord Cladborough’s direction and almost froze. The expression on his face left no doubt. He had seen the Duke and herself in their compromising situation and would surely be aware of just why the Duke was holding off on advancing the courtship.
She quickly proceeded to walk past him, giving him a warm smile as she went to hide any appearance of guilt.
* * *
Alexandra felt rather flushed when she arrived in the drawing room. Both the encounter with the Duke and the way Lord Cladborough had glared at her had her feeling quite upset. She forced herself to smile at the assorted ladies and pretended nothing had happened.
“Lady Frances,” she said as she spotted the young woman sitting with the Duchess and her mother, the Countess of Cladborough.
“Miss Evans, I had wondered what happened to you!” The young woman looked flushed. If this was due to the country air or the fine wine served at dinner, Alexandra didn’t know. Either way, it suited her.
“The Duke asked to arrange for an early morning walk, if it pleases you. Perhaps around the lake?”
The young woman bounced a little with excitement. “Oh, that would be rather grand, would it not, mother?”
Perfectly Mismatched With The Duke (Historical Regency Romance) Page 16