Page 17 of A Duke for Hire (The Devil’s Masquerade #1)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Four weeks later

“ T his will not do,” Seraphina muttered, looking from her notes to the new schedule handed to her.

“Mrs. Purdy, it seems His Grace has scheduled a visit from the Maroni’s at the same time as his hunting trip in three days,” she announced, her voice poised and full of confidence.

“I believe Lord Walter would not enjoy himself if he were left alone with me, his wife, and four daughters. Have a basket put together, please, and I shall write a note explaining the mix-up. Then have Archie take it to them at once, I don’t want any more confusion.”

Mrs. Purdy frowned as she glanced down at the schedule.

“Are you positive, Your Grace?” She asked. “I have assisted His Grace with his schedule for many years and have yet to be mistaken once.”

For a moment Seraphina paused, self-doubt briefly flooding her mind. Then Leah’s words returned to her. You are the mistress of this house now. Show them you are capable. Not just in handling your duties, but your husband. Remember, they are afraid of him.

Seraphina drew her shoulders back, and smiled at the housekeeper.

“I am sure that you have done a wonderful job managing His Grace’s schedule in the past, Mrs. Purdy, but I know my husband. I speak with him every day now, and I am most certain that I am correct.”

Mrs. Purdy’s eyes grew wide.

“You- you speak with him? Every day?” The housekeeper asked.

“Every day that he is home,” Seraphina conceded. “And he was telling me of how he was looking forward to this trip this weekend just last night. Now, please be so kind as to do as I ask. I will not have my husband seen as a fool for this error.”

Mrs. Purdy’s haughty disposition continued to wither.

“I did not realize,” the older woman murmured, “His Grace is not known to speak with anyone so often.”

A smile twitched on Seraphina’s lips. Yes, she knew that as well. And yet he was now making time. For her.

“Well, he does now,” she replied, closing her diary. “So you will see to this arrangement. Then please go to the kitchens and alert the staff that we shall be dining picnic style this evening.”

“Again?”

“My husband prefers the outdoors,” Seraphina said matter-of-factly, “And now so do I. Good day, Mrs. Purdy. Be sure to have the basket readied and at the door by six-o-clock.”

Mrs. Purdy curtsied, still looking flustered, and Seraphina parted ways with her with a smile on her face.

“No, not lilies,” Seraphina said, stopping two servants in the hall, both holding large vases.

“And certainly not red. It irritates His Grace. Hydrangeas. Blue and Green, to represent our eye color.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” the two maids said in unison, curtseying.

They both turned around at once to fix their mistake.

“Well, well,” Seraphina heard a familiar voice chime, “Look who is getting a hand on things.”

Seraphina’s smile grew as she turned and found Leah walking toward her.

“I took your advice and found my determination,” she said cheerfully, opening her arms to embrace her sister-in-law.

Leah embraced her warmly, giggling.

“And things are better?” She asked.

“More so by the day,” Seraphina assured her. “I did not know you were coming today. Hugo and I were going to have another picnic, but I can change our dinner plans.”

“No, no, I shall be gone then,” Leah said, taking her arm. “I simply wanted to stop by and see how you were faring. The ride from the country is not long and very pleasant. It is of no trouble.”

Seraphina marveled at her sister-in-law. She was fearless. Even unmarried, she had discovered that Leah often took long rides alone, even sometimes into the towns to do her own shopping.

“Come,” Seraphina urged, patting her hand, “Let us take some tea in the garden. “I want to hear of your adventures.”

She stopped the next passing servant, no longer timid to do so, and gave her instructions confidently before she and Leah ventured out to the small table situated outside between the roses and tulips.

“My adventures can wait,” Leah insisted as they sat down. “It is yours I want to hear about. Tell me, how is my brother treating you?”

The right corner of Seraphina’s lips drew up, but she could not bring herself to a full smile.

“We are finding our way,” she confessed. “He still is not very talkative about quite a lot of things. But he is not as brutish as before. We have our moments.”

Leah nodded, giving Seraphina her full attention.

“My brother is not one to share his feelings. It is good that you are even making progress. He…he does not trust easily.”

“I do understand that,” Seraphina acknowledged. “Sometimes when he does share certain things he then grows quite inward on himself. As if guilty of something.”

“He gets that way sometimes,” Leah agreed. “He wants to protect you, but then draws away when he finds himself becoming affectionate.”

Seraphina could not have said it better herself. It was the mystery of her husband that she could not quite unravel: How someone could be so protective yet so distant.

“I just wish that I could make him feel as safe as he makes me feel,” she confessed as their tea arrived. “It truly is a dream living out here. Away from my mother and the ton. It is everything Hugo had promised.”

She waited until the servant arranged the tea and plate of treats and went back inside before she added,

“I am determined however, that if we cannot be as traditional man and wife, that we can at least be friends. And that he sees me as someone he can rely on,” Seraphina said, her tone resolute.

Leah gave her a supportive smile as she picked up a tiny cucumber and tomato sandwich.

“Well then, dear sister, I believe that you are indeed well on your way to such a friendship,” Leah told her.

Giggling, Seraphina picked up a sandwich, and the two leaned forward, to touch them together, toasting her resolution.

“What’s all this?” Hugo asked, looking Seraphina up and down. She looked lovely as ever, once more dressed in a blue gown. He’d mentioned once that he was fond of the color on her, and ever since, she’d made a point to wear it.

He had just arrived back home in a hurry, knowing there was still hours of paperwork to attend to before he could call it a day, and nearly ran into his wife holding a picnic basket.

“We are having a picnic tonight,” she stated matter-of-factly, holding up the basket.

Hugo drew in a breath, trying not to be irritated.

“That is kind,” he admitted, “But I am afraid I cannot. I have to meet with my accountant and attend to-” He tried to move around her, but Seraphina stepped in front of him calmly.

“It is done,” she stated.

Hugo’s brows drew up in surprise.

“Done?”

Seraphina put the basket down and looped her arm through his, leading him up the stairs with a confidence that amused him.

“Your accountant and I met this morning, shortly after you left, and settled the books,” she explained. “As for your paperwork, I had your new steward sit down with me and explain everything. I compiled everything into stacks that needed your signature today and those that can wait until you return from your hunting trip. I forged a few, I hope you don’t mind, and sent them off to their respective addresses.”

“You- you forged my signature?” Hugo asked, panic rising.

“Do not worry,” Seraphina said calmly, leading him toward his bedroom quarters, “I am well aware of what I put your signature on today. You agreed to a trade with Lord Baxter, a silk for linen exchange. Made adjustments on a contract for coal. Their rates were too high, according to this year’s standards, so I made a counteroffer that was far more suitable.”

Hugo’s eyes widened with awe as Seraphina explained her work, doing exactly everything he had intended on doing himself. His mind raced, trying to find ways to negate anything she’d done, but by the time she had finished and brought him a steaming bath, he had nothing to say.

“So you see, your night is now free,” Seraphina concluded, her smile bright as she patted his hand.

“So take a quick bath, get dressed, and meet back in the foyer. I thought you might take me to that spot in the woods you were telling me about the other day?”

Hugo’s mouth dropped open, but he could not find the words. Still confused and taken aback that all that work was now done for him, he just nodded as he pressed his lips together.

“Wonderful,” Seraphina sang. “I shall see you shortly!”

For a moment Hugo just stood there, stunned. He had known that she was working harder to get acquainted with Merrivale and how things ran, but he could have never predicted that her dedication to his home and land would go this far.

A s if she truly cares .

Shaking himself out of his reverie, Hugo undressed and quickly washed himself, grateful that she had even had the foresight to prepare him a bath. Once finished, he dressed in casual clothing, and made his way to the foyer.

“Perfect timing,” Seraphina announced as he came down the stairs, “The horses have just been brought around. Shall we go?”

“Seraphina,” he said warily, “Not that I am unappreciative of what you have done, but why are you doing all of this?”

Seraphina’s smile dropped just a little, and something akin to sympathy flittered through her eyes.

“Because I am your wife,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact, “And it is not just you who must take care of me. It is I who must take care of you as well.”

She then opened the door, and nodded toward the horses.

“Now come, let us take our ride.”

Seraphina’s words made a strange feeling surge through him; one he’d never felt before. He rubbed his chest uncomfortably, but he stepped through the door, and went with her to the horses.

“Here,” he said, taking the basket from her, “Let me help you up.”

He handed the basket to a servant, who immediately began to fasten it to Hugo’s saddle, and Hugo put his hands around Seraphina’s waist. Sparks of warmth scattered along his palms as he lifted her onto the saddle with ease, and he could not help but let his fingers linger on her for a moment before he let her go.

Growing more comfortable with the idea of having more leisure time with her, he finally smiled up at her. The smile she gave him back was utterly brilliant, sending a warm light through him that made his pulse race

“Thank you, husband,” she whispered.

“You are welcome, wife,” he answered, stroking a hand down her thigh.

“You said you wanted to go to my favorite spot in the woods?”

Seraphina nodded.

“Very well then, let us go.”