Page 45 of His Accidental Duchess

“Yes, Your Grace,” Martha said eagerly, looking as though she were coming alive. “Lady Katherine loves music. I think if she had the opportunity, she would be very good at several instruments.”

“Then we’ll arrange it. I think it would be nice if she spent some time in the kitchen, if Cook is willing to show her how to make a few simple recipes. Of course, I can’t imagine that Kitty will ever have to cook and bake for herself, but you never know, and it’s very rewarding to make a thing with one’s own hands. Oh, and she needs to meet other children her age. I’ll try to make some inquiries and see who might make a suitable friend for her.”

Martha was beaming now. “What a fine idea, Your Grace! I’ve thought for a while that Lady Katherine needed… neededmorethan this, but His Grace never…” she trailed off, blushing. “I’m sorry. It’s not my place.”

Anna shifted to face her. “No, go on, really. Tell me. I won’t be upset.”

Martha bit her lip. “His Grace loves Lady Katherine very much, that is clear. But… but he doesn’t seem to understand that she’s growing up. She’s not a baby anymore. The things that interested her when she was five are boring to her now, and it’ll only get worse as she grows. And… well, you know how young girls can be when they hit twelve or thirteen years old. Before then, even. I don’t know how His Grace will react when Lady Katherine has her first tantrum. She’s a sweet thing, but strong-minded. Already she gets bored so often, and I simply don’t know how to entertain her anymore.”

She dropped her gaze to the wildflowers in her lap. “I worry that she’ll grow up surly and nasty, like a plant cramped by a too-small pot and not enough light.”

On impulse, Anna reached out and touched the back of Martha’s hand. “You’re a kind woman, Martha, and a good nurse. Well, His Grace made it very clear that as his wife, Kitty is my responsibility, and I intend to make changes. That includes everything I told you and more.”

Martha flinched at that, and it occurred to Anna that perhaps she shouldn’t have been so forthright about the reasons behind her and Theodore’s marriage.

Well, really. Nobody thinks we are a love match, do they? It’s a marriage of convenience, especially since I was jilted at the altar only a week ago. It’s not as if anyone else would have had me.

A shiver ran down Anna’s spine, a reminder of just how close she’d been to absolute ruin.

She wondered, not for the first time, what her mother and sisters were doing without her. It felt like they’d been apart for a lifetime, not just one day.

This time yesterday, I was floating through the ballroom in a daze, unable to come to terms with the fact that I was married and a duchess.

It still doesn’t feel real.

Kitty came scampering back, her hands and her arms clean, beaming. “There are fish in the pond,” she confided. “You know, there’s a big lake behind the house, Anna, but Papa said I’m not to go there alone.”

“He’s right, Lady Katherine,” Martha said sternly. “It’s a wide, deep lake, and you don’t know what might happen. It’s best to be safe, at least until you learn how to swim.”

Kitty pursed her lips, considering this. “Iwouldlike to swim.”

“Would you? Then you’ll have swimming lessons,” Anna said, almost absently, but it was quite a reward to see how Kitty’s face broke into a wide smile.

“Will I, Anna? Will I really?”

“Of course. It’s excellent exercise and a handy skill to have. I was just talking to Martha about all the things you could learn now that I’m here. Music, dancing, and painting, and much more. Would you like to try all of those things?”

Kitty nodded eagerly. “I would, I would! Wait… did Papa suggest it?”

“No,” Anna admitted, and Kitty’s smile dropped. “I’m sure he just didn’t think of it, though.”

“He never thinks of it,” Kitty mumbled. Some of her enthusiasm was gone, and she sagged onto the blanket beside Anna, drawing her knees up to her chest.

Biting her lip, Anna glanced sideways at Martha, who was staring down into her lap again.

“Martha, could you bring out a fresh tea tray? Maybe with some of those jam tarts Cook made earlier?”

Martha nodded, getting to her feet. Anna glanced over at the little girl to see if the mention of jam tarts had cheered her.

It hadn’t.

“Kitty?” she asked carefully. “What’s the matter? Are you upset that your papa didn’t arrange for music lessons before now?”

“It’s not that,” Kitty mumbled, twisting the hem of her skirt over and over into little pleats between her fingers. “I know that Papa loves me, but sometimes… sometimes I don’t feel that he likes me very much. I think he finds me boring.”

Anna’s heart clenched in her chest. “Oh, your poor thing. You mustn’t think that—your papa adores you.”

He married me so that you would be better taken care of, after all.

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