“I would advise you to keep your apologies to yourself,” he said. “My aunt is family, and I care about her a great deal. You are expected to greet her when she arrives today. Prepare yourself.”
Simon walked away before Rachel could even begin to think of a response. But it had been for the best. She had broached a sensitive topic and did not know how to properly discuss it.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Perhaps the green silk, Your Grace?” suggested Agnes, holding up the delicate fabric in her hands. Rachel had urgently requested her to assist her in preparing for the visit of the duke’s aunt.
Rachel turned, her gaze falling on the gown. “Perhaps it’s toobold.”She scrunched up her nose. “I do not wish to make such a strong statement on our first meeting.”
Agnes hummed thoughtfully and held up another dress. “Lilac, then. It would suit your complexion well.’
“Yes,” Rachel said after a moment’s pause.Lilac.Unimposing, blends into the background. “That would be better.”
Agnes smiled, moving swiftly to lay the gown across the bed. Meanwhile, Rachel began to brush through her hair. “Oh, but this is all so last minute. How am I meant to make a goodimpression when I have not even had the time to prepare properly?”
“Are you nervous, Your Grace?” Agnes asked gently.
More than I ought to be.“I just think that, given the duke’s aunt is the only family he has, she must be very important to him. And so, it is doubly important that I impress her tonight.”
“You are correct to assume that she must be important to him,” Agnes agreed. “But why do you assume that you have to change something about yourself to impress her, Your Grace? You are lovely as you are, and I am sure that Lady Jean will see you for it.”
Rachel could not let herself be soothed by the housekeeper’s words, even if she wished. “You say that because you wish me well, Agnes. But I do not know anything about her—not her temperament, nothing at all. Have you had the chance to ever meet her before?”
“A few times, yes,” Agnes nodded. “As has most of the staff at Everly. No one has ever had any complaints. In fact, she is quite warm and always concerned about the well-being of His Grace.”
Well-being of the duke. She must be quite protective of Simon,Rachel thought.Will I be able to meet her standards?
The thought made her feel dizzy.
“I am sure that it will be fine, Your Grace,” Agnes added, sensing the change in expression.
Rachel managed to nod. “Well, let us hope she sees something worth liking in me. I should hate to disappoint her.”
Agnes picked up a brush, beginning to arrange Rachel’s hair. “You’ve no reason to fret, Your Grace. Lady Linwood is bound to adore you. How could she not? You’ve already managed to impress the duke.”
Rachel snorted. “I doubt that very much.”
She had managed toannoyhim, yes, but to impress would be a delusion entirely.
“Your Grace, must you judge yourself so harshly?” Agnes asked with an almost maternal edge to her words. “Lady Jean is your family now. She does not have any reason to find fault in you. If anything, she should welcome you.”
Rachel would be more inclined to listen to Agnes if the conditions under which their marriage was arranged had been more ideal. She felt herself growing red at the possibility of being asked,Why did you go about spreading rumors that my nephew was engaged to you?
Surely, the duke must have told her, given that the two of them were so close.
“Let me change into my dress,” Rachel sighed. She did not feel confident about the meeting in the slightest, but perhaps, if she changed her appearance, she could at least fake it.
Moments later, Rachel was ushered downstairs. As she stood in waiting, she smoothed the fabric of her dress, noticing the way that her fingers trembled slightly.
Calm yourself,she chided internally.Smile, be gracious. You are to meet her as the duchess.
The grand doors opened, and the butler stepped forward to greet the arriving guest. Rachel held her breath, straightened her posture, and prepared to meet the woman who, in all likelihood, knew Simon better than anyone else.
And then, the wait was over. Rachel heard the lively voice of an older woman echoing through the hallway. She was surprised by how full of warmth and enthusiasm it was. In her mind, Rachel had expected someone a lot more reserved—like the duke himself.
But Rachel barely had any time to ponder the thought further as Lady Linwood swept into the room, her sharp eyes immediately landing on the duchess.
“Oh,thereshe is!” Lady Linwood exclaimed, her arms outstretched as though she were greeting a long-lost relative.
