She straightened her back, a newfound resolve settling over her. Her husband might be insufferable, but perhaps, for once, he had been right. If she wanted respect—if she wanted tobethe Duchess of Bernight—then she would need to act like it. It was time to stop apologizing and start leading.
Violet rose from her chair, her confidence bolstered. “Mr. Graves,” she said to the butler, who stood at his usual post, a model of perfect composure.
“Your Grace?” he replied, his tone as formal and impassive as ever.
“Please inform Mrs. Smith and the other senior members of the staff that I wish to see them early tomorrow after breakfast. That is urgent, and I wish to speak with them.”
Mr. Graves hesitated for only a moment. “As you wish, Your Grace.”
Violet stood alone for a moment after he left, gathering her confidence.You are the Duchess,she reminded herself.You must act like one.
So bright and early after breakfast the next morning, it was finally time to put her skills to the test. The room filled with the muted sounds of footsteps and murmurs as the staff gathered. Violet noticed the way they avoided her gaze, or perhaps they weren’t sure whether to meet it at all.
Mrs. Smith, in particular, seemed to regard her with that same inscrutable look that Violet had come to expect—a mixture of skepticism and patient disapproval.
The murmurs quieted as Violet took a breath and turned to face them. Her pulse quickened, but she reminded herself not to get too nervous.
She had to act like a duchess, even if she did not feel like one yet.
“Thank you all for coming this morning,” she began, her voice carrying through the room. “I have asked you here because now that I am settled, I intend to take a more active role in managing the estate.”
Mrs. Smith’s brow lifted ever so slightly, her mouth pressing into a thin line.Of course, she has an issue with it.Violet thought, but she refused to be cowed. Not this time.
“There are certain matters I wish to address,” Violet continued, holding her ground. “It has not escaped my notice that some aspects of Bernight Estate remain unchanged for many years. However, as the Duchess, I believe that some adjustments are necessary for the improvement of both the household and the estate.”
Silence.
Mrs. Smith stepped forward, her hands folded neatly in front of her. “Your Grace,” she began, her tone measured, “I have worked at this estate for over thirty years. Things have run smoothly in that time, and I daresay it would be unwise to disrupt what has already proven to be successful.”
Violet had expected this. She’d prepared for it. She met Mrs. Smith’s steady gaze.
“And I appreciate your dedication to the estate,” Violet said firmly. “Your knowledge of this house is invaluable to me. But times are changing, Mrs. Smith. We must accommodate them.”
The faintest twitch of surprise crossed Mrs. Smith’s expression before she concealed it again.
“What sort of changes do you mean, Your Grace?”
Violet glanced at the notes in her hand. She had prepared them earlier that morning.
“For a start,” she said, “I intend to have the west wing reopened and restored. It has been left unused for far too long, and it could be a benefit to the household. Additional guest rooms, perhaps an expansion of the library?—”
“The west wing?” Mrs. Smith interrupted, her voice carefully polite. “It has been closed for years. It would take considerable effort to prepare it again.”
“And considerable effort is what I am asking for,” Violet replied, her tone unwavering. “This estate is my responsibility now. I intend to make the best use of its spaces.”
There was a pause, just long enough for Violet to wonder,Have I gone too far? Perhaps I am pushing them too much.
Mrs. Smith’s expression remained unreadable, but she said nothing. Instead, she glanced at Mr. Graves, who remained neutral and inscrutable as ever, before nodding slightly.
“Very well, Your Grace,” Mrs. Smith said at last. “If you believe it will serve the estate, we shall see to it.”
Violet’s breath released slowly though she kept her composure intact.
Thank heavens.
“Thank you, Mrs. Smith,” she said with an inclination of her head. “Additionally, I would like to revisit some of the staff schedules. I have noticed there are periods when some of the junior staff are overworked while others have idle hours. I’d like you to help me draft a schedule that ensures fairness and efficiency.”
Mrs. Smith blinked. For a moment, Violet thought she might argue again, but then she inclined her head. “As you wish, Your Grace.”
