“Anthony!” A woman no taller than herself in a blue muslin dress ran out and embraced him, making him stumble back a few steps.
He held her close before setting her back. That was when Lissa saw the deep divot marks on her beautiful face and knew it was his mother. She appeared to have once been blonde, but there was much white in her hair. Her face had few wrinkles and her nose was turned up, making her look like a child. But she was not delicate. She appeared strong, and Lissa could imagine her having to be to keep four boys from misbehaving.
“And who is this you’ve brought us? Are you still collecting strays?”
Anthony turned rather red at his mother’s question.
Lissa quite enjoyed that, so she kept silent, waiting to see what he would say.
“Mother, this is actually my wife in disguise. Your Grace, it is my pleasure to introduce you to my wife, Baroness Bellamore. Lissa, this is my mother.”
Belatedly remembering her manners, Lissa curtsied, which felt a bit odd in trousers.
“Wife? Disguise? Oh, I must hear all about this.” The woman moved in front of Lissa and took her hands. “My dear, I cannot begin to tell you how happy you have made me.” Then she let go of one hand, tucked the other one around her arm, and proceeded to lead them into the house.
As soon as the butler closed the door, Anthony halted his mother. “Where might I find Father? I have urgent business with him.”
Lady Roxburgh’s brows rose high. “Does this have to do with the disguise?”
“Yes.” Anthony seemed to suddenly not know what to do with his hands, as he pulled up his collar then tugged down on his greatcoat.
Lissa found that very interesting. Was he uncomfortable telling his mother about his current profession?
Her Grace waved him off. “He’s in the study fiddling, as usual.”
Without a word, Anthony headed past the stairs down a corridor, and Lissa found herself alone with his mother.
“Come, let us get you into more comfortable clothes, though truth be told, those look rather freeing.”
Her only clothing was still tied to her horse, and if she donned it, she would hardly be presentable. “I’m afraid I have nothing to wear, Your Grace.”
The woman waved off her comment and started up the grand staircase, making a show of having to lift the skirt of her dress. “That’s of no matter. I have plenty of clothing here, including some from my daughters-in-law. I’m quite sure we can find something that will fit. And do call me Frances, or even Mother if you like. I really have little use for these grand titles.”
Lissa found herself frozen on the third stair staring at the woman as tears filled her eyes.
Lady Roxburgh stopped and turned not four steps above her. “What is it, dear?”
Lissa shook her head, trying to understand why the thought of calling the woman Mother made her want to cry. “My mother died when I was twelve. I never thought to call anyone thatagain.” Only by saying it did it make sense, though even so, she wasn’t entirely sure it did.
Her Grace descended to where she stood and took both her hands once again. “I would be honored if you would call me Mother, but only if you wish to. And I must call you something other than baroness.” Her Grace grimaced as if the title was her least favorite. “What is your given name?”
“My name is Lissette. I’m French.” Lissa wasn’t even sure why she blurted that out, but it was done now.
“Hmm, I don’t know any French. It’s a pretty name, but I’m sure your mum called you that. Would it be acceptable to call you Lizzy?”
Her throat closed at the nickname, one her grandfather had given her. Instead of answering, she nodded.
“Wonderful. Now come, Lizzy.” Her Grace took Lissa’s hand and led her up the stairs. “I want to hear all about why you’re dressed as a young man and how you managed to get my son to marry you.”
Lissa would not lie about the reason they were married, so she would focus mostly on the investigation she and Anthony had been conducting—leaving out all the sordid details, of course.
Within minutes, she was in a room with a maid helping her into a fine muslin rose day dress. Her male shirt had been determined too rough, and she’d been given a shift, stays, and new stockings. Though they wanted to take her boots and daggers, she insisted on keeping them.
Lady Roxburgh sat on the wingback chair in the room supervising the transformation, even to the point of how Lissa’s hair should be swept up. Finally, everything was as the duchess wished, and Her Grace shooed the maid away.
“Now come sit with me and explain everything.” She patted the wingback chair next to the one she was in, smiling with anticipation.
Lissa moved to the chair and sat, quite pleased with such a broad opening. It allowed her to speak about what she wished to speak about. “Do you know your son has been investigating people for various lords?”
