He nodded, then took her travel pouch out of her hand and gave it over to one of the footmen standing at attention in the entry hall. “Tell Mrs. Watkins that Miss Comeford’s belongings are to be placed in the blue bedchamber.”
The footman’s gaze flicked to her before returning to her companion. “At once, Your Grace.”
“Your Grace?” It took a moment for Harriet to grasp who this man was. “You are the duke?”
He nodded. “Forgive me, Miss Comeford. I should have identified myself sooner, but I liked that you had no idea who I was.”
She had not the chance to say another word before he led her down the hall toward his study. She tried to take in as much of her surroundings as possible, for portraits lined the hallway walls, and she was curious who these people might be.
The prior dukes and duchesses, of course.
And their children.
Was one of them this impressive duke as a child?
“Keep up, Miss Comeford,” he remarked, leading her along.
“Yes, Your Grace.” She would have liked to study these portraits, but the duke was walking too fast for her to get a good look, and everything passed in a blur.
He certainly was decisive in his strides and did not waste any time dawdling.
She was used to walking briskly, but still had to take two steps for every one of his in order to keep up.
He led her into a large room with beautiful mahogany shelves that lined the walls and were filled with books she hoped he might allow her to peruse at her leisure. But now was not the time to ask.
In the center of the room stood a massive desk, also of the same mahogany wood. Beside the desk were two leather chairs that appeared well padded and quite comfortable. A magnificent carpet of oriental design took up most of the floor, its deep maroon and gold hues enhanced by the richness of the surrounding wood.
“You must be thirsty and likely hungry,” he said, tugging on a bell pull by the door. “Would you prefer lemonade or tea? Cakes or cucumber sandwiches?”
She was surprised to be offered anything, but quite grateful for it. “Lemonade and cakes would be lovely, but you needn’t go to the bother.”
“No bother at all.” He escorted her to one of the leather chairs and motioned for her to sit. “Did you walk here from the coaching station? I’m sure you must be tired as well as parched. Once we are done talking, I will give you over to Mrs. Watkins. She is the housekeeper at Pendrake Hall and will see to all your needs. Let her know if your bedchamber is not to your liking and we shall put you in another room.”
“Your Grace,” Harriet said with a soft laugh, “unless the blue room is actually a cupboard, I am certain I will love it.”
He grinned as he settled in the chair beside hers and stretched his long legs before him. “It is slightly larger than a cupboard, I assure you.”
It was not long before a butler responded to his summons. “Come in, Flint. This is Miss Comeford, one of my honored guests. She is in dire need of lemonade and cakes. Have Cook prepare a tray for us and have her pile it high with a sampling of everything. Sweets, savories, and anything else she has available in her kitchen.”
“At once, Your Grace.”
Harriet recognized Flint as the head butler who had earlier escorted the new arrivals from their carriages into the house.
The duke certainly ran an efficient household.
The servants she had encountered seemed attentive to their duties and proud of their roles, including Flint, who had a kind look about him.
“Thank you, Mr. Flint,” she said as he bowed to her and was about to walk out.
He glanced at the duke, then smiled. “You are most welcome, Miss Comeford.”
Harriet returned her attention to the duke.
“Now, Miss Comeford,” he said with unexpected gentleness, “tell me about George.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat. She hadn’t meant to cry, but her tears were suddenly flowing and she seemed unable to stop them. “Do forgive me,” she said, appalled to find the waterworks gushing.
The strain of the past few months, first in nursing her brother and helplessly watching him fade away, and then in finding herself all alone with barely enough funds to travel here, was hitting her all at once now.
