Page 77 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

Lavender smiled, glad to know that the steward recognized her from her visit a month ago. “It is.”

The steward smiled as well. “If you were anyone else, I would have supposed that you were snooping around, looking for evidence that my master was guilty of his charges of treason. But I understand that you simply adore books. You may never have left the library the last time you were here without a good deal of prodding. Welcome to Everleigh Park.”

Lavender felt her cheeks heat through. “I am not here to find any evidence of your master, I assure you. But London has not been . . . kind. I felt an inordinate amount of peace in your library. So the duke and duchess have sent me here in hopes that you might allow me respite for a few days.”

He smiled. “It’s been too long since we’ve had the opportunity to wait upon someone as fine as yourself. We may be a little out of practice.”

“Don’t trouble yourself. If I have access to your library, that is all I ask.”

The steward nodded. “I’ll speak with Mrs. Howard about setting a room to rights. In the meantime, you can read to your heart’s content.” He put out his arm and escorted her to the set of large double doors that led to Lavender’s idea of heaven.

Her shoulders sagged with relief as soon as she set foot in the room. “Thank you, sir.”

“Of course. Would your maid like to come with me?”

Both Lavender and her maid dipped their heads.

“Oh, the duke lent me his stable hand to get me here. Can you see that the horses are fed and watered before they make their return trip?”

“I can do that and make sure they get a good night’s rest before they set off in the morning. Do you want me to inform anyone of your stay?”

“No, I thank you. I simply hope for a quiet place where rumors cannot find me.” She’d not considered the fact that the estate still employed a large team of servants. How long could she really stay here and go unnoticed? She hoped that Fenleigh would hear, somehow, that his name was cleared, and then return home. But he could just as easily go to London or be far enough away that he didn’t hear the news for a long time. It wasn’t as if she planned to take up residence permanently. If the duke didn’t return in three days, she could go find Mr. Lanscombe.

Could she though? Mr. Lanscombe would be the easiest way to make her parents happy. But she wasn’t sure that was enough motivation for her anymore. She wanted to be happy. That was why she was here in the Duke of Fenleigh’s house. If there was a chance the man was a good fit for her like Tom thought, it was worth a shot. But what if he came and wasn’t interested in her at all? Would she simply go marry Mr. Lanscombe then? She didn’t think she could live with herself if she did. And her mother might be upset with her, but her father wouldn’t die peacefully if he knew she was miserable. No, if things didn’t work out with Fenleigh, she would go home and spend his last days at her father’s side.

Lavender was vaguely aware of the library door closing behind her, but she was more focused on the book sitting on the chair she’d vacated last time she was here. She picked up the volume again and snuggled into the overstuffed chair. She kicked off her shoes and curled her feet beneath her. Holding the book to her chest, she inhaled deeply. The smell of parchment and leather soothed her soul.

The next few hours were spent in the fictional company of Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, and unfortunately, Mr. Collins. Why Mr. Collins had to be a character, she did not know—perhaps it was to make the reader question her life’s choices. Her own Mr. Collins was Mr. Lanscombe. A man impossible to love, but more than willing to marry her if she wanted to please her family. Even though all her life Lavender had been taught to be unobtrusive, she found herself relating more to Miss Elizabeth Bennet than the other characters. Just like her, Lavender refused to accept her own Mr. Collins. Her family wanted her to be more like Charlotte Lucas, a background character, someone to sacrifice her own wishes in order to marry out of fear.

It had been quite some time since Lavender had picked up a fiction book, and it was not fully doing its job of distracting her from her present circumstance.

The housekeeper, Mrs. Howard, came into the library. “Lady Lavender, your room is all made up. If you would like to change for dinner, I can show you where you’ll be staying.”

Lavender smiled. “I admit, I didn’t intend to put you and your staff to any extra work while I am in residence. I am happy to take a tray here or in my room.”

“We wouldn’t dream of it, my lady. It is no imposition at all.”

“And I don’t think I could handle eating alone in the dining room. Won’t you and the rest of the staff join me?”

Mrs. Howard’s eyes went wide. “I don’t think that would be appropriate. What if His Grace comes home?”

As much as Lavender wished for the event to occur, the chances of it were very low seeing as he’d been missing for months. The letter would only have been delivered earlier today. “If His Grace does come home, I will put the whole of the blame on the Duke of Gilfordshire. The two of them can have it out over port and a game of cards.”

Mrs. Howard shifted back and forth on her feet. “If it’s all the same with you, I think we’d best stick to the kitchens. I can’t imagine I’d have any luck convincing any of the other servants to join us.”

Lavender pursed her lips together. If Tom was right about her not fitting in as a servant, this would be a good time to know. Not that she was going to ask him to marry her again—once was enough to embarrass her for the rest of her life. “Might I join you there? I admit that I would enjoy the company.”

“If you insist, my lady.”

“I do.” Lavender stood from her overstuffed chair and set the book down in her place. “I do not plan on changing, but I would love to see my room.”

Mrs. Howard led Lavender through the long corridors and up the elegant stairway to the back of the house. “Here it is. It is the closest room to the rest of the house so that you don’t have to venture too far into the labyrinth.”

Lavender laughed. “I do appreciate that.” She walked into the airy space and couldn’t help from spinning around. The white, long gauzy curtains blew gently into the room. The walls were decorated in pale pink and gold papers, and there was a chandelier that spun rainbows across the far wall. Lavender would never dare tell her mother, but this room was far more beautifully situated than her own at Gardner Manor. It felt like a small piece of heaven just waiting for her to make herself at home. If the library wasn’t enough incentive to pursue the duke, this room certainly was. “Are all the rooms this incredible?” She asked Mrs. Howard.

The housekeeper’s cheeks pinked a bit. “I admit this is my favorite of them. And it’s never used.”

“Why ever not?”