Page 22 of His Extraordinary Duchess

Chapter Twenty-Two

A s Claudia had expected, she found Georgie and Sophia in Georgie’s rooms. They both perched on the edge of the bed, and Sophia’s arm was about Georgie’s shoulders. Already, her eyes were red, and her handkerchief hung limp in her fingers. Anastasia sat in front of her on the carpet, still for once as she watched her mistress. Claudia hadn’t seen Georgie so bereft since Freddie had been pronounced dead.

“Georgie, dearest,” Claudia cried, rushing to join them. “What’s happened?”

Anastasia darted out of the way.

“It’s him,” Georgie said with a valiant sniff. “I never thought to see him again. I simply couldn’t face him. What was I to say?”

“She keeps repeating that,” Sophia said with a frown. “Him, who, Georgie?”

Claudia sank down on the other side of her daughter-in-law as realization hit. “Your first love.”

Sophia sucked in a breath even as Anastasia resumed her vigil.

Georgie nodded. “The very one. He made the choice to break off his courtship. I have no reason to feel so guilty. But one look at him, and all those feelings came rushing back. Freddie has only been gone a year! How could I be so faithless? I can’t sit down to dinner and pretend all is well. I’m not like you, Claudia.”

The words stung. Claudia leaned back, hand going to her chest. “Is that what you think of me? That I sit silently in times of turmoil?”

Georgie shook her head, eyes widening.

“Of course not,” Sophia said quickly. “You are the first to ride into the fray, the one who keeps us all safe and prosperous. Neither Georgie nor I could have survived the last year without you, Claudia.”

Georgie nodded. “You are my rock, Claudia. I will never be that strong.”

Anastasia yipped as if in full support.

“I suspect it wasn’t so much strength as necessity,” Claudia admitted, lowering her hand. “We take on what mantle we must to get by.”

“But sometimes, you use that mantle to hide yourself,” Sophia put in. “I understand. Believe me. I’ve had to do the same.” She reached across Georgie and took Claudia’s hand. “But the time has come to set the burden down. This duke appears capable of taking it up. And you have someone waiting to walk with you into the future.”

“Two someones,” Georgie amended with a tremulous smile.

Tears threatened, and Claudia gave in to them. “What if that’s not enough? What if I can’t love them as I should?”

“Oh, Claudia!” Sophia wrapped an arm about them both as far as she could and only succeeded in squeezing them all together. “You have so much love to give! You simply were afforded few opportunities to show it. You will make an amazing mother, and Mr. Warden is the most fortunate man alive to have captured your heart.”

Anastasia had clearly had enough, for she stood on her hind legs and pawed at the bed skirts as if attempting to climb up and join them. Sophia disengaged, and Georgie bent to pick her up.

“He has captured your heart, hasn’t he, Claudia?” Georgie asked as she cuddled her pet close.

Claudia nodded, wiping at her cheeks with her fingers. Sophia rose, went to Georgie’s dressing table, and returned with a clean handkerchief. Claudia smiled her thanks.

“Yes,” she answered them. “I realized today that I’d fallen in love with him. At least, I appreciate so much about him—his intelligence, his unrelenting support of me and Oliver, that smile that never fails to warm me.”

“Look!” Georgie cried. “Gooseflesh!”

Anastasia yipped again.

Claudia glanced down at the bare flesh between her evening gloves and her capped sleeves, where tiny bumps had appeared. Conviction rose with them.

She lifted her chin. “Enough about me. We must decide what to do about Mr. Caddington. If he were only a passing acquaintance of the duke’s, I would say hide in your room whenever the fellow was present, Georgie. But he’s going to be your minister, the one you would seek for support and counsel. You delight in taking part in the charity projects at the church. You cannot simply avoid him.”

Georgie hugged Anastasia closer, earning her a lick on the chin. “I can try.”

At least she had a little more life in her voice now. “You can try tonight,” Claudia said, rising. “Sunday will be another matter.”

“And the Sunday after that, and the Sunday after that,” Sophia added, gathering her skirts as well. She stood, then held out both hands. “Come along. Show him the lady you are: brave, resilient, and caring.”

“Oh, Sophia,” she said, but she handed Anastasia to her friend and stood. “At the moment, I don’t feel like any of those things.”

“You are all that and more,” Claudia assured her. “Now, wash your face and come downstairs. At the very least, you’ll want some of the dessert course. I understand Mrs. Bettleton made apple cake.”

Georgie’s eyes brightened, and she hurried to her washstand.

“Go on,” Sophia murmured to Claudia as Georgie splashed water on her cheeks and eyes and Morrigan dared to poke her head from the dressing room, where she must have retreated. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t lose heart.”

Claudia gave Anastasia a pat, then squeezed Sophia’s shoulder. “Thank you for that, and for your words of encouragement.”

“I only hope,” Sophia said solemnly, “that you’ll act on them.”

Anastasia grinned her agreement.

* * *

Ben kept one eye on the dining room door as he nodded along with one of Sir Winfred’s monologues. Indeed, the baronet had dominated the conversation ever since the men had gathered in the dining room. Mr. Kinsle kept poking his head in from the door to the serving room, and the duke kept shaking his head. Mrs. Carmichael would not be pleased to have the dinner schedule so thrown off.

Even worse, Oliver had grown more pale with every moment. Ben wasn’t sure whether it was Sir Winfred’s booming voice or the disappearance of the dowagers, but it was clear to him that his son was struggling. He didn’t want to call attention to the fact in public. That would only make Oliver withdraw further. But Ben was about to take him out of the room when Claudia glided through the door.

Oliver drew in an audible breath and uncurled himself, as if all was suddenly right with the world. Ben felt much the same, but he couldn’t help the frown when he noticed the red rims on her eyes. Had she been crying? Why?

As always, she displayed only calm and composure to the world. “Her Grace is feeling much more the thing and should be down shortly,” she said with polite smiles all around. “You didn’t have to delay on our account.”

“Of course we did,” Sir Winfred said magnanimously, though he had not been the one to make the decision. “Can’t dine without our fine ladies present.”

“Here, here,” the duke said, raising his glass in toast.

Ben looked at her askance, but she merely shook her head. Conversation had barely resumed before the other two dowagers came in and sat. Only Her Grace the Third appeared clear-eyed. Her Grace the Second steadfastly stared at her place setting.

“Mr. Caddington,” His Grace said, “may I impose on you to say the blessing?”

The vicar had been gazing at Her Grace the Second’s bowed head with a look of chagrin, but he quickly recalled himself to his duty.

“Dear Lord,” he began, “thank You for the sustenance You so generously provide, for the friends who comfort and encourage, and for the inspiration to serve others as You did. May we always seek to follow You. Amen.”

Amens echoed around the table, and Mr. Kinsle frantically began motioning the footmen to serve.

Ben didn’t think he was the only one having trouble enjoying the meal. Oliver seemed to have recovered himself, for he chatted with Her Grace the Second. She, however, continued to avoid looking anywhere but at her food or his son. Her Grace the Third toyed with her food and eyed the vicar as if she thought he might steal the silver.

And Claudia gazed at Ben in such a besotted manner he almost forgot to take a bite!

At last, she rose. “Ladies, Oliver, would you make yourselves comfortable in the sitting room to wait for the gentlemen? Mr. Warden, I would like a word in the library.”

Sir Winfred chortled into his cup as if he thought Ben was in some sort of trouble. Ben had much higher hopes than that.

“We won’t be long,” Her Grace promised as Ben rose and followed the others out.

He fell into step beside her down the paneled corridor. “I’m glad you suggested this. There’s something I’d like to show you.”

She raised a brow. “Oh? What?”

He opened the door and ushered her in. Someone had lit the fire in the hearth, and a lamp was glowing on the desk. He crossed to it, then bent to pull some pages out of his satchel to spread them out on the surface, anchoring the corners with the ink well, paperweight, and two books.

“That’s not the manor,” she said, studying the drawing. “It’s entirely too small.”

He winced. “Not too small, I hope. This is the house I’m building in Grace-by-the-Sea, which, as you know, is only a few miles distant. Here, look closer.”

* * *

Claudia had intended to tell Ben all that was in her heart, but she had to own herself curious as to his plan. She bent over the drawings, following the course of his finger.

“The house is set on a bluff overlooking the Channel,” he explained. “You see how the windows for the drawing room and dining room frame the pretty view?”

How lovely that would be on sunny days! And even on the stormy days of winter, the sight would be inspiring to behold.

“And here,” he continued, “the dining room is oversized, so that a table might be extended for up to twenty guests.”

Claudia’s gaze flew to his. “You listened.”

“I always listen,” he promised her softly. He pointed to the upper story. “Each of the bedchambers has room for two chairs and a table so that the occupants might find a ready retreat. The primary bedchamber also has a balcony overlooking the sea. Adjoining it is a private room with an elegant desk, perfect for sitting and thinking. And Oliver has the entirety of the attic area to himself for the quiet he craves.”

He trailed off. The candlelight glowed in his eyes and outlined the curve of his cheek.

“Could you see yourself living there, with me and Oliver?” he murmured.

Joy surged, like a dove taking wing. “What are you proposing, sir?” she asked, straightening.

He straightened as well, one hand reaching out to cup her cheek. “A marriage, most definitely not of convenience. A marriage of abiding love and true partnership. A husband who will honor and cherish you all the days of his life. A family of your own.”

Her throat was tight. “After much deliberation, I find that would be perfectly acceptable.”

His smile turned up a moment before he drew her closer for a kiss that made her forget any lingering responsibilities. Who cared for cold power when the warmth of love beckoned? She was giving up little to gain immeasurably more.

Ben might be building her a house that met every one of her dreams, but together, they would make it a home.

* * *

She’d said yes. Ben could hardly believe it. Nor was it easy to pull away from kissing his extraordinary duchess. When he did so, he found her face flushed and her eyes sparkling like diamonds.

“I promise you won’t regret it,” he told her. “Anything in my power to give you, I will, Claudia. You need only say the word.”

She took his hand in her own. “And I promise you won’t regret marrying a woman who is entirely too used to having her own way. I have fallen in love with you, Ben. I’m sorry it took so long for me to see that. But I intend to be the best wife, the best mother.”

He gathered her closer once more. “Of that, I have no doubt.”

They did not join His Grace and the others until after Mr. Caddington had taken his leave. When Claudia and Ben came into the sitting room, they found everyone else gathered. Her Grace the Second must have sent for her pet, for the pug was at her feet and Oliver sat beside her on the sofa. Her Grace the Third, Sir Winfred, and the duke were seated on nearby chairs.

Ben took the lead, as he had promised Claudia he would do.

“Your Grace,” he said, bowing to the duke as Claudia joined her daughter-in-law and Oliver on the sofa. “Your Graces, Sir Winfred. Claudia and I have an announcement to make.”

His Grace leaned back in his chair, smile hinting. “Do you indeed.”

“Claudia has agreed to be my wife and Oliver’s mother,” Ben said. He couldn’t help it. He beamed at her. She smiled back.

“What’s this?” Sir Winfred blustered.

No one paid him any heed. Her Grace the Second was clapping her hands, Anastasia was dancing, and Her Grace the Third had hopped to her feet with a cry of delight.

And Oliver? Ben’s gaze speared to his son out of concern, but Oliver wasn’t covering his ears. He had the most fatuous grin on his face as he met Ben’s gaze.

“I’m to have a mother again,” he said.

Claudia nodded, lips trembling.

Ben went to kneel in front of her and his son. “Yes, Oliver. You said you liked Her Grace. I hope this makes you happy too. It certainly makes me happy.”

Oliver crunched up his face. “Must I keep calling her Your Grace?”

Claudia laughed. “No, Oliver. Not at all.”

“Oh, good,” he said. “Because I would much rather call you Mother.”

Her voice came out shaky. “That would be lovely.”

“How soon are we losing you?” His Grace put in.

Ben turned to find Sir Winfred glowering. The duke was all smiles.

“Not immediately,” Claudia said, turning to face His Grace as well. “Ben will be building a home for us in Grace-by-the-Sea even while he supervises the remodeling of Tyneham Manor.”

“I expect the process to take six months,” Ben explained.

“It will likely be shorter if Claudia has anything to do with it,” the duke said. “Congratulations to you both! Very welcome news. And I have something to report as well.”

He looked to Oliver. “Master Oliver, would you mind escorting Anastasia upstairs? I believe it is past her bedtime.”

Her Grace the Second frowned, but Oliver scrambled off the sofa. “Of course. Come, Anastasia.”

Ben thought he knew what the duke was planning. “And perhaps you could ask Peters to help ready yourself for bed as well, Oliver,” he told his son. “I’ll be up shortly to tuck you in.”

“You mean you and Mother will be up shortly,” Oliver corrected him. He bowed to the room at large and patted his thigh. Anastasia obediently followed him out.

“You are not taking my dog to Grace-by-the-Sea,” Her Grace the Second said with a sniff.

“No,” Claudia told her. “But I cannot promise we won’t have dogs of our own at some point.” She resumed her seat on the sofa, and Her Grace the Second found another spot so that Ben could sit beside Claudia.

His Grace angled his head to peer out the door, then straightened as if satisfied. “I wished to report on a resolution of an issue that has weighed heavily on several minds of late, the mystery of the secret room.”

“Entirely enough has been said on that score,” Sir Winfred huffed. “I see no reason to distress the ladies or to diminish the name of Tyneham, a name I have striven to protect.”

“So it seems,” His Grace said. “I understand you have been the liaison between the Tyneham estate and Roland Atkins.”

Sir Winfred drew himself up. “Tyneham did not wish that name spoken in this house.”

“At least not outside his secret room,” the duke said. He turned to Claudia and the others. “As Claudia knows, after a surprisingly simple search, I learned that the Fourth Duke of Tyneham entered into a marriage without his father’s approval. It was annulled, but not before his bride conceived. The son born of this union is Mr. Roland Atkins, currently residing at the Grange but shortly to relocate to a property in Grace-by-the-Sea. And Sir Winfred has been the facilitator all these years.”

The baronet held out his hands to them as if begging their pardon. “At Tyneham’s request. How could I refuse? It meant ostracism for the boy and his mother if the truth came out. The reputation of the Darling family would have been ruined as well. Surely none of you would want that.”

“No,” Claudia allowed, “of course not. But I wish I’d known. Perhaps I could have helped her son. But when I reach Grace-by-the-Sea, I plan to rectify that, for both Mr. Atkins and his charming wife.”

“He’s married?” Sir Winfred asked, eyes widening. “When did this happen?”

“Within the next month,” His Grace said. “And, not to take any wind from her sails, but he is marrying Claudia’s lady’s maid, Miss Collier. Now, I say we are due for a toast!”

As if he had been expecting it, Mr. Kinsle appeared with a tray and glasses, and soon everyone was standing before the duke.

“To Benjamin and Claudia, the extraordinary dowager duchess of Tyneham,” the duke proclaimed. “May their love last through the ages.”

“To Benjamin and Claudia!” they all chorused.

Claudia took a sip, but her gaze was all for Ben. Against all odds, he had broken through her reserve, a reserve honed by years of strife. She might have had to manage alone, but he knew, whatever the future held, they would face it together.

And life would be the sweeter for it.