Page 54 of Stolen and Seduced By the Duke

"Yes, Your Grace," Mrs. Norris replied, adding milk to his cup. "She has observed the nanny as you instructed. She has asked questions, taken notes, and generally behaved as though she intends to master the entire nursery before the week is out."

Pierce leaned back in his chair, studying her. "And Hugh?"

Mrs. Norris's lips twitched. "Hugh remains Hugh."

"That is not an answer."

"It is the only answer I have, Your Grace." She folded her hands neatly before her. "He still refuses to finish most of his meals. The nanny says he picks at the food, becomes bored, and then throws the spoon."

Pierce frowned. "He ate everything when Margaret fed him."

"Yes."

The single word irritated him more than it ought to have done. Pierce turned towards the window, his expression hardening as he stared across the grounds. He had spent two days convincing himself that the bowl incident had proved nothing except Margaret's recklessness. Yet the facts remained inconveniently clear. Hugh had eaten his entire meal for her. Since then, the child had returned to his usual habits, apparently regarding every meal as an opportunity to wage war against his caregivers.

"Has the nanny tried the same manner of feeding Margaret used?" Pierce asked.

Mrs. Norris smiled faintly. "Several times."

"And?"

"Hugh threw a spoon at her."

Pierce closed his eyes briefly. "I see."

"I thought you might."

He opened his eyes and found Mrs. Norris watching him with an expression that was dangerously close to amusement. "You find this entertaining?"

"Not at all, Your Grace," she replied, though the corners of her mouth betrayed her. "I merely find it interesting that Her Grace succeeded where three experienced servants have failed."

Pierce disliked the observation because he knew it was true. Margaret had somehow understood Hugh in a matter of minutes. She had spoken to him, laughed with him, and treated him like a little person rather than a delicate problem requiring constant management. Pierce had spent days trying to ensure his son was protected, fed, dressed, and properly cared for, yet Margaret had accomplished something he could not explain.

He had to tell her. The thought immediately irritated him.

Pierce had never enjoyed admitting that someone else was right, particularly when that someone was a woman who had spent the previous two days pointedly avoiding him. Margaret would undoubtedly smile that infuriating smile of hers and remind him that she had told him so. He could already hear her voice, and the anticipation of it stirred something dangerously close to amusement within him.

"Very well," he said at last, reaching for his tea. "I shall speak with her."

Mrs. Norris raised an eyebrow. "About Hugh?"

"About Hugh."

"Of course."

Pierce narrowed his eyes. "Is there something amusing about that?"

"Nothing whatsoever, Your Grace."

He knew that tone. "Mrs. Norris."

She straightened, entirely innocent. "Yes, Your Grace?"

"Go and tell the Duchess that we shall dine together this evening. Tell Margaret that I expect her at dinner."

"Yes, Your Grace."

She turned towards the door, but Pierce stopped her. "And tell her that it is not a request."