Page 15 of The Duke’s Sworn Spinster (A Duel and a Wedding #1)
Chapter Thirteen
“ A untie!” Iris cried out, dashing through the door and throwing herself at Lydia. “I missed you”
“Me too,” Lydia said happily hugging the small child back. “Why don’t you tell me all about London?”
Out of the corner of her eye, Lydia saw Cora staring at the builders who were traipsing through the house to the newly destroyed—no renovated—Duchess’ bedchambers.
They sat down and quickly dug into the morning eggs and bacon. Archer entered the room and gave Iris a hug before embracing both his sisters. He lingered for a moment by Lydia then settled for squeezing her shoulder before sitting at the head of the table.
Her stomach filled with thousands of butterflies, and she was sure her cheeks had faint splotches of red on them.
“Iris,” Archer said after a moment, “what do you say about taking some painting lessons?”
Lydia straightened, but the Duke was looking steadily at his niece not her.
Iris’ eyes widened, and she leaped from the chair, eyes shining like a thousand stars. Her mouth hung agape, looking like this was though this was the biggest news of the century.
“Do you mean it?” she squealed in delight.
“I would not ask you if I did not mean it.” Archer smiled at his niece. “But you will have to promise that you will keep working at your other studies as well.”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Iris was vibrating with excitement, leaping up and down in her seat.
“Settle down, Iris,” Cora tried to gently guide her niece back into her chair. Lydia was grateful. She feared Iris might fall right into her breakfast.
However, the little girl scrambled out of her chair, almost tripping on the way down, and threw herself at her uncle, giving him another hug.
“Thank you,” she cried happily. “I’m going to paint!” She squealed as she raced around and around the table in excitement.
“Iris.” Cora nabbed the little one on her second lap of the dining room. “You cannot run in the house.”
Iris squealed and giggled as her aunt picked her up and set her back in her chair.
“Come now,” Cora shook her head in good natured exasperation. “Finish your breakfast then you can go out to play.”
“Will you play with me?” Iris asked with her mouth full.
“Darling, don’t talk until you’ve finished chewing,” Juliet chided gently.
“Sorry Auntie.” Iris gave her an apologetic smile as Juliet wiped the jam off her cheek.
“I can’t play with you, rascal. I’ve got to go into town.” Cora stood from the table.
Both the Duke and Juliet shared a look between them. They eyed each other skeptically and Lady Cora snapped at them. “I am merely going dress shopping and nothing more!”
Clearly, Lydia was missing something, and whatever that was, she was not privy to.
“Have you any plans from the day, Lydia?” Juliet asked, frowning after her sister.
“Nothing in particular,” she said as she eyed her husband. “Though I suppose I’ll have to do a little supervision of the builders after our renovation to the Duchess’ rooms.”
“Your renovations?” Juliet looked between the Duke and Lydia, clearly catching sight of their mischievous shared smiles.
Lydia blushed in embarrassment. “It’s nothing. Just… Well, suffice to say we got rid of some clutter.”
“And added a few ventilation points to the walls.” Archer laughed.
“Which will be put right before certain little sunflowers can get themselves in trouble.” Lydia gave Iris a meaningful look.
“Yes, you aren’t to disturb the builders, Iris. They have a job to do, and you could get hurt.” Archer gave his niece a broad smile. “Although, I doubt they are as interesting as…. Oh… never mind. I doubt you would want to know.”
“Tell me!”
“What’s the magic word?”
“Tell me, please.”
“Very well. I just happen to know that a certain spaniel has happened to have puppies. If you fancy going to visit…” He grinned at her delighted smile.
“I’m going to get a puppy!” Iris leapt from the table and shot towards the front of the house.
“I said we were visiting them!” Archer called after her, following her from the room.
Lydia turned to look at Juliet. “He isn’t really going to come back with a puppy, is he?”
Juliet shook her head. “Not imminently, no. They’ll be too young. But I have a suspicion it won’ be long, provided little Iris remembers the promise, and I suspect she will.”
Juliet gave her a shy smile. “Since you’re free, would you care to join me for my violin practice?”
“That sounds wonderful!” Lydia said excitedly. “You wouldn’t mind if I brought my knitting as well?”
“Of course not,” Lady Juliet said, and she excused herself from the table. “We’ll be set up in the conservatory.”
When Lydia entered the conservatory, she found Lady Juliet seated in the center of the room, her violin settled comfortably in her lap. She glanced up from tuning her violin as she heard the click-clack of Lydia heels against the white marbled tiles.
“Mr. Nicosia,” Lady Juliet announced joyfully. “Let me introduce you to my sister-in-law, the new Duchess of Dashings.”
“Your Grace, it is a pleasure.”
Lydia was greeted by a gentleman with a finely trim mustache that curled around his upper lip, circling the tops of his rosy cheeks. He had set down the music sheets he had been reading, placing his quizzing glass in the small pocket against his breast.
Lydia extended her hand, and Mr. Nicosia bent at the waist ,gently taking her hand.
“It’s wonderful to finally meet you,” Mr. Nicosia praised. “Lady Juliet has spoken so fondly of you.”
“It’s lovely to meet you too, Mr. Nicosia.”
“Have you listened to Her Ladyship’s music? She is by far the most talented student I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. It saddens my heart to know she has no passion for it.”
“I haven’t had the pleasure yet,” Lydia said before turning to Juliet. “You do not enjoy playing?”
Juliet laughed, “Oh good heavens, no. The blisters, sore muscles, and the long hours of practicing… Not my cup of tea. Of course, I do wish to impress the ton and possibly capture the attention of a suitor.”
“If only there is one so worthy,” Mr. Nicosia chimed in. “Not just any man would do for our special lady.”
“Right you are, Mr. Nicosia,” Lady Juliet winked at them.
“Now, come,” Mr. Nicosia clapped his hands together. “For our final class together, we must imbue Her Grace’s ears with a score befitting of your glorious talents—Gioachino Rossini’s La Cenerentola.”
Lydia settled comfortably into the lounge chair at the far end of the conservatory as Lady Juliet readied her hands at the strings.
Lydia paused as she reached for her handbag filled with her knitting. A shadow of a figure lingered outside the conservatory hall. “Husband?” Lydia called out.
“Your Grace,” Mr. Nicosia jumped up and hurried toward the door. “Please, join us.”
“Yes, brother,” Lady Juliet called. “Please do.”
The Duke lingered by the door, looking between Lady Juliet and Lydia with a smile forming on his lips. “I’m quite busy. I just wanted to see how you were doing, is all.”
“You hover too much, brother.”
“I know,” he laughed. “I’m… glad you two are getting along.”
“Why wouldn’t we?” Lady Juliet laughed. “Her Grace is a wonderful companion.”
“Indeed,” the Duke murmured. “Don’t let me keep you.” He backed out of the conservatory, watching them as they settled in to enjoy an hour of music.
Soft, harmonious notes trickled out of the violin as Lady Juliet teased the strings and slowly picked up the tempo.
Mr. Nicosia did not exaggerate Lady Juliet’s prowess. It was the most enjoyable hour Lydia had experienced in a long time, bringing back a deep desire to attend more plays and musicals.
Mr. Nicosia barely spoke a word throughout the lesson. The only time he spoke up was to praise Lady Juliet for her excellent performance.
“That was magnifico,” he applauded at the end of the score.
“It’s a shame,” Lydia remarked. “For this to be your last lesson. You are quite gifted?—”
“Oh, no, no.” Mr. Nicosia shook his head. “You misunderstand, Your Grace. She will not stop playing. But I have nothing more to teacher Lady Juliet.”
“Yes,” Lady Juliet added. “I’ve completed my lessons with the piano and the violin.
By far, the violin is my favorite. So, I’ve decided to take up the viola and the cello now.
I had a couple lessons with the flute and the piccolo, but woodwind instruments are not pleasant for my ears or lungs. I get breathless quite easily.”
“I’m glad this won’t be the last I hear you play, Lady Juliet.”
“Si, si,” Mr. Nicosia agreed. “Lady Juliet is one of my most talented students.”
Juliet beamed at the praise, and Lydia found herself beaming back. She spent the rest of the afternoon watching as her sister-in-law seemed to grow into herself.