“I fear it is close to the reverend’s lunchtime,” Mrs. Potter said finally, struggling out of her chair, which took quite a bit of maneuvering, due to her bulk. “I like to be there when he takes his meals,” she added, sinking into another curtsy, and then she was gone.
Miss Belmont chuckled at the startled expression on Eva’s face as she looked at the closed door. “She is a kind-hearted lady who feels it’s her duty to poke her nose into everyone’s business. You are lucky she is in awe of you. The rest of us must suffer her moral sermons regularly.”
Eva returned her gaze to Miss Belmont. She looked so gracious in her lemon dress with satin trim. In fact, Miss Belmont appeared exactly as a duchess should and Eva felt a hot wave of shame at her own dowdy appearance. Catching sight of the worn toe of a slipper, she pushed her feet under the hem. What was she to say to this lady who had obviously been raised in society? Surely they had nothing in common.
“Do not feel guilty over not attending church, your Grace.” Miss Belmont patted Eva’s hand. “You needed time to settle into your new surroundings. Unfortunately, the villagers’ curiosity has reached fever pitch and now they have made up all sorts of convoluted tales about you.”
“Oh dear, that was never my intention. I merely needed time to adjust and did not feel comfortable...” Eva’s words trailed off as she lowered her eyes.
“Can I help you with becoming more comfortable?” Miss Belton said gently.
Eva spread the skirts of her dress wide. “I fear there are so many things, Miss Belton, I would not know where to start.”
“Perhaps your dress is not quite the thing, but we could -”
Eva could do nothing to stop her splutter of laughter. “Not quite the thing!” She lifted her head. “That is a polite way of saying my dress is a rag.”
“Yes, well...” Miss Belton studied Eva. “If you will allow me to assist you, we shall soon fix that. If you are free, perhaps you could come to tea tomorrow afternoon and meet the local seamstress. Her dresses are adequate and will surpass what you are wearing.” She waved her long, elegant fingers toward the skirts of Eva’s dress.
Eva found herself laughing again. “I could not impose on you like that.”
“Nonsense. I would love to help you,” Miss Belton said. “In truth, we would be doing each other a favor. I can help you feel comfortable and you can stop me from incurring my mother’s wrath, as in her eyes, all I do is read, sleep and ride my horse.”
“And this is bad?” Eva questioned.
Claire rolled her eyes. “Very. I should be hosting tea parties and visiting local ladies with whom I should stitch quilts and make myself useful.”
Eva felt sick at the thought. “Oh dear, should I be doing that, too?”
“Yes, and now we shall do it together and my mother will be happy.”
“I’m not sure I’ll be much help.” Eva felt she had to point this out.
“Nonsense, you’re a duchess, and therefore all you need do is turn up and it will be enough.”
A rush of excitement had Eva nodding. Although the idea of taking tea and visiting people sounded terrifying, she had always longed for a new dress and perhaps now she was worthy of such a treat. The duke had left instructions that he would pay for any new clothes she acquired, so perhaps she would even order two!
“Once you reach London, you can have a new wardrobe made, but for now the local seamstress will do.”
“I have no plans to go to London, Miss Belmont,” Eva said quietly.
Miss Belmont smiled and patted Eva’s hand. “You will one day. Now tell me what changes you have made here at Stratton besides Luton’s clothing.”
Happy to change the subject, Eva launched into a detailed inventory of what she had changed and hoped to change.
“Well I am pleased to see you taking an interest in the place, your Grace. No one has for many years.”
“It is so lovely here,” Eva said meaning every word. “And I hope, given time, that I can restore some of its beauty.”
“There are plenty of skilled local tradesmen, should you need them, and they would be happy for the work.”
“Of course.” Eva knew that often villages survived off the trade from big manor houses in the surrounding area. “I do not yet know any of the local people but I will endeavor to change that soon.” She was the Duchess of Stratton now and would live out her life here. It was important she made herself known.
Miss Belmont then told Eva about the local community and some of the more colorful characters that lived in it and before Eva realized it, they had been talking for another hour.
“And now I must return home to accompany my mother on her afternoon visits, however before I do I would ask that you now call me Claire, as we are sure to be firm friends.”
Were they? Eva had never had a friend, firm or otherwise.
