CHAPTER9
A MIRACLE REVEALED
Ahalf-hour later
Johnson helped Katherine from the copper bathtub, the water still warm. “You seem in a hurry this morning, ma’am.”
“That’s because I am,” the duchess replied, wrapping herself in the large bath linen. “We have a guest, and I saw the servants returning this morning from their errand.”
She had been disappointed to discover her lady’s maid knew nothing of the details. She had rung for Johnson before the driver had pulled into the stable behind the house. “I saw they rescued the horses from the duke’s traveling coach.” She took a seat at the dressing table, amazed at seeing her reflection in the mirror.
Despite the late night and little sleep she had managed between bouts of lovemaking, she appeared as if she had youthened by a decade.
“Such a tragedy,” Johnson said as she brushed out her mistress’ hair. “I do hope they found His Grace’s driver.”
“Indeed. His Grace feels awful about what happened to him.” She watched as Johnson quickly wrapped her hair into a chignon and pinned it into place. “I’ve invited the duke to stay...” She almost said ‘forever’ but caught herself. “For Christmas and the Twelve Days.”
“He doesn’t have a family?”
Katherine winced. She had a family, and yet they had returned to London to spend Christmas there. “He does, actually. Like my own, they’ve elected to stay in London for the holiday.”
Johnson pulled out a drab day gown and held it out for Katherine’s approval. “It’s nearly Christmas, Johnson. Let’s go with something a bit more festive,” she suggested, thinking she might mention having accepted an offer of marriage from the duke. Right now, it was a secret she wanted to hold onto for a few minutes more, though. Once the household knew, things would change around Whyte Hall Park.
Perhaps for the better.
“Of course, ma’am,” the lady’s maid said as she emerged from the dressing room with a pink day gown.
“That’s better.” Once she was wearing the gown, she regarded her reflection in the cheval mirror, happy to see her earlier appearance was still intact, the pink sprigged muslin enhancing her morning blush.
“You’re certainly farther along in your morning ablutions than I expected you would be,” Thomas said, appearing from the dressing room door. He bowed slightly.
Johnson gave a start, barely stifling a yelp of surprise. She dipped into a very deep curtsy as Katherine turned and did the same. When she straightened, she held out her hand. “I didn’t wish to keep you waiting, Your Grace.”
“You’re very pretty in pink,” he said, pulling on her outstretched hand until she was close enough for him to kiss her on the lips. “Good morning.” He ignored the servant, but knew her eyes were wide with shock.
“I see you found some clothes. They seem to fit you rather well,” Katherine remarked as her gaze drifted down the front of his body.
She couldn’t remember ever seeing Whyte wear the silver embroidered waistcoat that winked above the buttons of the navy superfine topcoat Thomas was wearing. The matching navy pantaloons hugged his calves and were tucked into black shoes bearing silver buckles.
“They do indeed,” he replied, his attention finally going to the servant.
Katherine held out her other hand. “Thomas, Duke of Pendleton, this is Johnson, my lady’s maid,” she said by way of introduction.
He nodded to the servant. “Mrs. Johnson. Thank you for seeing to my betrothed. I’ll be escorting her downstairs now.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Johnson replied, her eyes even wider than before. She dipped another curtsy and hurried from the bedchamber.
Turning to give him a quelling glance, Katherine said, “I hadn’t yet told her of our plans.”
He chuckled but quickly sobered. “She’ll no doubt share them with everyone below stairs, so I dare not delay speaking with your driver any longer.”
“I understand,” she said, placing a hand on his proffered arm. They took their leave of the bedchamber and headed down the stairs.
Katherine thought it curious there were no servants visible on the first floor. When they reached the ground floor, the footman who was usually on duty in the hall was missing. “This is odd,” she murmured.
“What is?”
“The servants. They all seem to be missing from their posts,” she said.
