Devin has been an exemplary guest."
"Devin?" Rupert became increasingly curious about Grace and Thomas' houseguest. "That doesn't sound English."
Grace, the soup course of the meal past them, removed the napkin from her bodice amid muffled giggles from Eleanor. "Stop being so suspicious, Rupert. Did I mention Margaret asked after you? Elsie, too."
"Who are Margaret and Elsie?" Eleanor wasn't the most subtle chit in the world, but because of her youth, she could get away with it.
"Elsie is my lady's maid, and Margaret takes care of young William for us."
"How do they know Cousin Rupert?" The man in question nearly choked on his water at the petulant sound of Eleanor's voice. Before he could say anything, Juliana spoke up.
"Eleanor, dear, Cousin Rupert had an entire life before we stumbled into it. It's natural he would know other women." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Juliana reached up a hand as though to grab them back. "People, I mean. It's natural he would know other people."
Thomas hid his smile behind his napkin while Grace ignored the fuss and answered the question. "Once Thomas and I were wed, he left for the continent. He wished for me to stay at Castle Felton. Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke were the entirety of the staff in residence at the time. Rupert became the steward and helped me through some of the difficulties of those early days. Margaret and Elsie both lived in Felton and came to work for me at the castle. Since there were so few of us, we all became quite close, near to family, I'd say."
Rupert winked at Eleanor. "You think it's scandalous that her grace would tuck a napkin into her bodice, but you should have seen the look on the vicar's face upon joining her at Castle Felton one evening for dinner. She brought him to the kitchen to eat with us lowly servants."
Eudora made a noise. Rupert would have called it a grunt if such a word didn't imply the unladylike nature of the sound.
"I didn't see the point, and you know it." Grace eyed Rupert. "There was not a single reason to serve me in the formal dining room at every meal. What a ridiculous overindulgence! It was much easier for us to eat together."
"Like a family!" Eleanor's enthusiasm for the duchess' explanation pained Rupert. If he knew his young cousin well at all yet, he was certain he could expect to find her eating with the servants on the morrow.
The appalled look Juliana sent his way told him she saw the same future as he. He tipped an imaginary hat to her. Let Eleanor's sister deal with that particular problem. He would be happy to stay out of it.
Mrs. Burnham cackled as she picked up her fork.
Chapter Nineteen
After an evening of mostly enjoyable company, including games in the sitting room, Rupert and the Clairmont sisters excused themselves to make the trek home. He carried his cane in a loose grip and had one of each of the younger sisters' hands looped through an arm. Juliana walked beside them, and Mrs. Burnham trudged behind with a slight lag. He'd have much rather had Juliana's hand in the crook of his elbow, but he'd found he couldn't deny Eudora and Eleanor. Their show of familial acceptance warmed his heart and made him want to be worthy of their affection.
As they drew near the front door of their own townhome, Rupert noticed something amiss. It was open, and Barrows was nowhere to be seen.
Had the circumstances been different, Rupert would have pushed straightaway into the home. With four women in tow, however, he needed a safer and more strategic plan.
"Juliana, something's wrong. I need you to take the girls and run back to the duke's. I'll watch from here, but you get inside and don't leave until I come for you."
He watched as the argument built up in her, but he didn't have time to argue. "Go, now! You must keep the girls safe."
That was all the motivation she needed. Juliana gave him a swift nod. Then, grabbing one sister's hand in each of hers, she ran back toward the Stanburys' townhome. Mrs.
"Devin?" Rupert became increasingly curious about Grace and Thomas' houseguest. "That doesn't sound English."
Grace, the soup course of the meal past them, removed the napkin from her bodice amid muffled giggles from Eleanor. "Stop being so suspicious, Rupert. Did I mention Margaret asked after you? Elsie, too."
"Who are Margaret and Elsie?" Eleanor wasn't the most subtle chit in the world, but because of her youth, she could get away with it.
"Elsie is my lady's maid, and Margaret takes care of young William for us."
"How do they know Cousin Rupert?" The man in question nearly choked on his water at the petulant sound of Eleanor's voice. Before he could say anything, Juliana spoke up.
"Eleanor, dear, Cousin Rupert had an entire life before we stumbled into it. It's natural he would know other women." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Juliana reached up a hand as though to grab them back. "People, I mean. It's natural he would know other people."
Thomas hid his smile behind his napkin while Grace ignored the fuss and answered the question. "Once Thomas and I were wed, he left for the continent. He wished for me to stay at Castle Felton. Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke were the entirety of the staff in residence at the time. Rupert became the steward and helped me through some of the difficulties of those early days. Margaret and Elsie both lived in Felton and came to work for me at the castle. Since there were so few of us, we all became quite close, near to family, I'd say."
Rupert winked at Eleanor. "You think it's scandalous that her grace would tuck a napkin into her bodice, but you should have seen the look on the vicar's face upon joining her at Castle Felton one evening for dinner. She brought him to the kitchen to eat with us lowly servants."
Eudora made a noise. Rupert would have called it a grunt if such a word didn't imply the unladylike nature of the sound.
"I didn't see the point, and you know it." Grace eyed Rupert. "There was not a single reason to serve me in the formal dining room at every meal. What a ridiculous overindulgence! It was much easier for us to eat together."
"Like a family!" Eleanor's enthusiasm for the duchess' explanation pained Rupert. If he knew his young cousin well at all yet, he was certain he could expect to find her eating with the servants on the morrow.
The appalled look Juliana sent his way told him she saw the same future as he. He tipped an imaginary hat to her. Let Eleanor's sister deal with that particular problem. He would be happy to stay out of it.
Mrs. Burnham cackled as she picked up her fork.
Chapter Nineteen
After an evening of mostly enjoyable company, including games in the sitting room, Rupert and the Clairmont sisters excused themselves to make the trek home. He carried his cane in a loose grip and had one of each of the younger sisters' hands looped through an arm. Juliana walked beside them, and Mrs. Burnham trudged behind with a slight lag. He'd have much rather had Juliana's hand in the crook of his elbow, but he'd found he couldn't deny Eudora and Eleanor. Their show of familial acceptance warmed his heart and made him want to be worthy of their affection.
As they drew near the front door of their own townhome, Rupert noticed something amiss. It was open, and Barrows was nowhere to be seen.
Had the circumstances been different, Rupert would have pushed straightaway into the home. With four women in tow, however, he needed a safer and more strategic plan.
"Juliana, something's wrong. I need you to take the girls and run back to the duke's. I'll watch from here, but you get inside and don't leave until I come for you."
He watched as the argument built up in her, but he didn't have time to argue. "Go, now! You must keep the girls safe."
That was all the motivation she needed. Juliana gave him a swift nod. Then, grabbing one sister's hand in each of hers, she ran back toward the Stanburys' townhome. Mrs.
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