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“Certainly, Your Grace.”

“Similarly, the drawing room shall be renovated in the coming weeks, and I expect all the servants to be available to assist the workers,” Ava said.

“The other servants shall be informed promptly,” the butler declared.

“And I shall ensure that the budget for the renovation is released by the Duke as soon as possible,” Ava finished.

As they left, she wondered how she would be able to make good on her last promise.

Back when she lived at Notley Manor, getting her father to part with funds for renovations had always been a struggle, especially since he did not approve of what he considered “frivolous spending.” She had always suspected that her father’s stinginess was partly due to the fact that he was not quite as wealthy.

But now, she was the wife of a wealthy duke who had done well for himself in business; she knew that he possessed enough money to fund the renovations. Yet, she also knew that getting that money from him would not be quite easy. After all, the Duke would take any opportunity he could to taunt her and frustrate her to no end.

However, she was determined to get what she needed from him.

“Her Grace the Duchess of Mayfield, and Miss Stella Jenkins!” the butler suddenly announced, right before she heard the patter of feet.

She brightened up immediately. Her sisters had arrived!

Stella walked into the drawing room wearing a wide smile, followed by Eveline, who was holding her toddler in her arms.

“Oh, dear Henry,” Ava crooned, going straight for the little boy, who stretched out his arms to her.

She felt a rush of love for her little nephew as she took him in her arms. He cooed and ahhed, flashing her a toothy smile.

“It seems Henry is the only one you recognize,” Stella drawled.

Ava snorted. “Perhaps if either of you were as adorable as little Henry, then I might have acknowledged you,” she jested.

Eveline giggled. “He simply looks at peace with you,” she noted.

“Indeed,” Stella agreed. “When I carried him, he had been all too eager to return to his mother.”

Ava shrugged, even though her heart swelled with pride. “Perhaps the little boy knows that he is with his fun aunt.”

Stella shook her head. “Fun? If only he knew you! Or perhaps it’s because you bribed him with half a biscuit during his last visit,” she scoffed.

“I will neither deny nor confirm that accusation,” Ava said.

“I am positive Henry loves you both equally,” Eveline interjected.

“Would you rather Henry choose between his mother and his lovely aunt?” Ava asked in a haughty tone. “Because I am quite certain he would choose me in a heartbeat.”

Eveline laughed even harder. “Fine! You might as well keep him with you,” she relented.

“I might as well do,” Ava replied, patting the little boy’s back gently. “You only need to explain to your husband why his heir did not return home with you.”

Henry reached out his hands to her face, and she leaned in so that her nose bumped his fingers. He let out a happy, gurgling laugh.

Ava also chuckled before she finally turned her attention to her sisters.

“I was not expecting you to arrive in the same carriage,” she admitted as they took their seats.

“I went to Eveline’s house late last night, and today we rode here together,” Stella explained.

Ava furrowed her brow in concern. “Why did you go to Eveline’s house in the first place?”

Stella shrugged. “Father was being rather unreasonable, so I simply left the house.”