Page 10 of The Wise Daughter

Morning light poured in through the windows, washing all the room’s furnishings in soft, golden light.

The walls were tastefully covered in white floral paper with wood paneling, giving the room a simple but charming elegance that Nora quite liked.

Had the inn always been this spacious and comfortable?

She stretched her arms and nestled deeper into the soft blankets to keep out the early morning chill. Her mind clung to dreams nearly forgotten as she hugged her pillow until the light grew stronger, and the fog in her mind started to clear.

The bridge, her silly wish, the man unconscious who was actually a very handsome duke…

She bolted up, remembering everything, and flung her blankets aside. Her spacious bedchamber with its four poster bed, heavy curtains, plush carpets, and large fireplace was much too elegant to belong to an inn. It was true.

She was at Holmrook Castle.

She was engaged.

To the Duke of Ravenglass.

Her head swam. To go from wealth to rags in the course of a month and then from rags to a soon-to-be duchess in a single day left her reeling. There would be no end to her father’s gloating. His plan had actually worked.

She twisted the duke’s signet ring, which was still on her thumb. Its golden oval bezel was awkward and large for her slender hand, but she didn’t dare take something that important off lest she lose it.

“He’ll likely call for me this morning only to explain that he indulged in too much drink last night and cannot be held accountable for any promises he made.”

Never mind the fact that she hadn’t smelled an ounce of liquor on him. She had certainly been close enough to detect it if he had indulged. No, there had only been a spiced citrus scent that Nora wanted to breathe in again.

This is silly of me. She flicked away a feather and determined not to start her day with thoughts of standing close to the duke.

As soon as he changed his mind about their engagement, she would return to her original plan of begging for a position among the staff. It was completely possible that she would be the one stoking the fires tomorrow morning.

She spun the ring around her thumb. “Breaking the engagement seems inevitable when we are barely attached.”

What did she really know about him after all?

She could now honestly refute any rumors claiming he was sickly or elderly. He was quite in his prime. She supposed it was possible he was mad since entering into an engagement with someone he had just met did not seem like the wisest decision.

“But that would make me just as mad.”

Even after meeting him, he wasn’t any less mysterious. Was he as generous and forthright as his actions last night suggested? He had adamantly given his word, but would he keep it? How did he treat his household? How would he treat her father? How would he treat her?

“If he takes such pride in knowing how to be romantic, he must have experience trifling with female hearts.”

She frowned at the signet ring and almost took it off when the same maid, Janie, who had helped her with her bath and dress the previous night came in humming, carrying a bundle of cream-colored fabric.

A handful of years younger than Nora, Janie looked at her with open eyes that made her appear perpetually astonished.

“Good morning, Miss Lacy. I trust you slept well. I’m here to help you dress.”

Nora sat up, pulling the blankets against her chest. “Thank you, Janie, but the gown I wore yesterday, the one you took last night to be washed… well, I haven’t anything else to wear.”

“Not to worry, miss. I selected a gown from the late duchess’s old things.”

“Late duchess? Does that mean the duke’s mother is deceased as well?”

Janie’s eyes grew apologetic. “Forgive me. Mrs. Manning tells me I must learn to be more precise. No one knows exactly what’s become of the duke’s mother.”

“Oh, my.” Nora made a note to herself to learn the history of the family. “Does the duke have any siblings?”

“I don’t believe so.”

“What can you tell me about his father?”

Janie shrugged. “Not much. I was told he had been suffering a variety of complaints and headaches for nearly a month, but no one thought it would be fatal.”

Nora imagined how difficult that must have been for the duke. If his father’s death truly had been unexpected, he might not have received word until after it happened. Nora instinctively reached for her mother’s miniature around her neck and clasped it in a fist.

“What about cousins, Janie? What do you know of the duke’s extended family?”

“Not much. If he does have any cousins, I’ve never heard mention of them, but I am still fairly new here. I come from Broad Oak.”

Nora liked Janie’s easy, open manner. “I see. What drew you to Ravenglass?”

“Mrs. Bloom, the head cook, is my mum’s cousin. She wrote to us and told us they were searching for new staff, so here I am.”

“And how long ago was that?”

Janie looked into the air in thought. “About two months now, I reckon.”

She shook out the fabric in her arms to reveal a simple but elegant cream-colored gown with long sleeves and a forest green ribbon at the waist. “The former duchess’s gowns are a bit old fashioned, but I thought this one was nice.

” Janie must have detected Nora’s hesitancy to agree because she quickly added, “I’m probably not a very good judge, so If you don’t like it, I can get another. ”

“I like it very well, but I’d prefer something more somber, perhaps a lavender or grey gown if such is available.”

“Oh. I don’t know. Are you in mourning?”

Nora looked off to the side and nodded, unequal to the task of talking about her mother.

“I’ll go and see, miss.”

While Janie was gone, Nora took the opportunity to brush her own hair and splash her face with water in the basin, which she usually found refreshing, but the events from the previous night still felt like a dream.

Janie returned with a lovely lavender gown with white flowers covering the skirts. It wasn’t what Nora would have chosen for mourning, but she was in no position to be too particular.

“Will this do, Miss Lacy?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Nora tried to reach back and help Janie tie her stays and button the back until Janie asked her to please sit still and not worry. Nora fidgeted with a ribbon the entire time. It didn’t feel right being waited on when she had begged to be a servant just last night.

While Janie worked on Nora’s hair, she hummed a cheerful melody, a change from Nora’s former maid, who always scowled or tugged a little too much and always managed to pull on Nora’s hair.

That was before Nora’s father had dismissed their staff in his inability to pay them. Nora decided she liked Janie’s humming.

“Janie, what can you tell me about the duke himself?”

She stopped humming and spoke with hairpins held between her lips. “It’s not my place to say anything about the duke, miss.”

“But surely you can tell me something of his habits.”

“Not really.”

So Janie would need a little encouragement in this area. “I understand, Janie, but I promise, you may speak openly to me. I only ask so I may learn something of his character. Is he kind to his servants? Is he fair?”

Janie’s brows pinched together. “I’m sure I’m treated well enough.”

“Come, Janie. You must have more to say than that.”

“I honestly don’t know, miss.”

“Janie. I know the sort of gossip swapped beneath the stairs. I promise, nothing you say to me will lead you to trouble. I only want to understand what sort of man I’m engaged to.”

Nora must have betrayed more emotion than she realized because Janie’s eyes softened with sympathy.

“Well, you’re right, Miss Lacy. People do talk.” She removed the last pin from her mouth and lowered her voice. “People say all sorts of things about the duke, some good, some bad.”

“I would imagine there is more of the bad when people are lacking in knowledge about him.”

Janie slowly nodded. “We see a lot more of his steward, Mr. Carver, than we see of the duke. I receive my orders from Mrs. Manning or Mr. Chuff, and they take orders from Mr. Carver. I’ve only seen the duke twice.

” She leaned close and whispered in Nora’s ear.

“He’s as handsome as any man I ever saw.

” She quickly covered her mouth. “Forgive me if it’s wrong to say it.

I know you’re to marry him, but it’s the truth. ”

The duke was a handsome man, even with his bruises, but handsomeness did not equal goodness.

“Can you think of anyone among the staff who might be involved with this thieving I’ve heard about?”

“I don’t know, but I do hear some servants complain about reduced wages.

The late duke’s illness brought on a lot of unexpected expenses, so I’m told.

Mr. Carver had to economize. That’s when a lot of the old staff left.

Newer staff, including myself, supposedly receive less than what the previous staff received for their work.

Forgive me if it sounds like I’m complaining. I don’t mean to.”

“Of course not. You’re only stating what you know.”

Janie adjusted a few more curls, then stepped back. “There. What do you think?”

Nora turned her head side to side, admiring the expert twists Janie had accomplished. “You’ve done a lovely job.”

Her face lit up with the compliment. “Thank you, miss. Shall I take you to the duke for breakfast now?”

Nora’s stomach fell, sending all thoughts of eating far away. Facing the duke again so soon was out of the question. “I don’t think I can see him yet, Janie. My journey here was rather taxing, and I’m not quite feeling myself yet.”

Janie bit her lip, uncertain. “All right, miss. I’ll send for a tray if that’s what you prefer.”

“Yes, thank you, Janie.”