“One would think him a gentleman farmer rather than a duke.”
Nellie smiled. “He sees it as his role. He’s very much liked by all his tenants.”
“Well, as long as he takes part in the hunt. The fox hunting community expects it. Both of you must be there.”
Nellie firmed her lips. “I shall tell your sister you have arrived.”
“Yes, I’ll be along to see her shortly.” Frances caught her arm as Nellie turned away. She looked suddenly older and fearful. “How is she?”
“She feels better. The new medicine has helped a good deal.”
Frances gave a sharp nod and strode through the front door. “There you are, Dove. How are you? Putting on a little weight? We’ll have to get you out riding. Nothing like it for the midriff.”
Dove nodded serenely and bowed his head. Amused, Nellie knew he would do no such thing.
She climbed the stairs to Catherine’s bedchamber, where she rested after her outing in the fresh air. She peeked in. “Your sister has arrived.”
Catherine smiled. “That will turn the house upside down. Don’t let Frances ruffle you, dear. She’s all bluster.”
“I’m sure she won’t.” But Nellie sensed that Frances considered herself more a part of this house than Nellie. The servants all snapped to when she gave them orders. And Frances was well aware of it.
In a few days, the foxhunt would take place on their land. Although Charles insisted Nellie was not to take part, she felt awkward about it. No one knew of her pregnancy. The meet might judge the new duchess harshly.
While it had drizzled the last two days, the morning of the hunt, the skies were a vast blue canopy, viewed with a sigh through Nellie’s bedchamber window.
Charles, who had been called downstairs, returned as she sipped her chocolate. He sat on the edge of the bed. “Percy Hanbury’s farmhand has just come to see me. Hanbury is the fellow whose roof I’ve been helping to fix. It appears he has fallen off it. I must ride over and see how things are there. These people tend to treat their own ills, which isn’t always wise.”
“The poor man. Will you be back in time to ride out with the meet?”
“I’ll endeavor to,” he said, kissing her. “But I might be a late starter.”
“My, what will Frances say?” Nellie smiled up at him. “Only last night at dinner, she spoke of how important fox hunting was for the community.” She bent her head over the cup. “I suspect it was for my benefit.”
He placed a kiss on her hair and eased off the bed. “Not as important as a man’s life,” he said as he left the room.
Nellie gazed after him, thinking of what an exceptional man she had married. Then she called Lilly to help her dress.
After breakfast, she visited Catherine, who confessed to having a bad night. “I am a little tired, Nellie.” She took Nellie’s hand. “I know you don’t intend to ride today. I think in your condition, that’s wise. They will go at quite a pace.”
Nellie kissed her cheek. “You rest. I will come to see you later in the morning. We can have luncheon together.”
As Nellie went down the corridor, Frances appeared, wearing her green habit.
“You aren’t dressed for the hunt?”
“I am not planning to ride,” Nellie said, stifling her annoyance. She was sure that Charles had told her.
“You must at least make a showing.” Frances frowned. “Charles isn’t here, and with the host absent, it will look like a dreadful snub. Charles will be embarrassed.”
Nellie tensed. “He hopes to join the hunt before the end.”
“But what if he doesn’t? You know Charles. He would rather fix the man’s roof. In his absence, you must act as hostess, and acknowledge the Master, Mr. Doveton Grey.”
“Very well.”
Frances eyed her. “You really should consider taking part in the hunt in Charles’s absence.”
“I am against fox hunting. I refuse to witness the killing of an animal in such a cruel fashion.”
