Page 64 of A Duke for Hire

She turned on her heel then, and did not look back as she left Hugo’s study.

“Seraphina,” she heard him sigh, but she kept going, and he did not come after her.

Sleep never came that night, and she was not sure if it was because she was upset, or because she had hoped that Hugo would come to her and explain. Either way, when Clara and Mrs. Purdy came to her quarters, Seraphina was wide awake and ready to do anything to take her mind off what had happened.

“I hope you had a good night’s rest, Your Grace,” Mrs. Purdy said as Clara laid out Seraphina’s dress.

“The Duke has tasked me to start your lessons today, and I must tell you, there will be many.” Mrs. Purdy almost smiled as she said this, but Seraphina knew it was not a smile of kindness, but almost satisfied animosity.

“I am most eager to learn these lessons myself, Mrs. Purdy,” Seraphina replied confidently. With an air of authority she added, “I shall meet you in the dining hall shortly. We can go over our first lesson while I break my fast. Then we will pause for a tour.”

Mrs. Purdy looked at her, as if surprised that Seraphina could speak with such authority, but the housekeeper politely—and coldly—agreed, and left her to get ready.

“Not the white dress, today, Clara, but the red one,” Seraphina ordered, looking at the gown her handmaid had laid out for her. “And I want my hair up high. A ruby comb in the front, and a matching necklace.”

Mrs. Purdy gave Seraphina a curious look as she came into the dining room a short time later, but before the old woman could comment, Seraphina took control of the conversation and urged Mrs. Purdy to start her lesson.

“We’ll start with the staff,” Mrs. Purdy began, laying a long sheet of parchment before her.

The day passed by in a blur as Seraphina toured the vast estate, began to learn the names of every person who served at Fenwick hall, and took in further lessons.

She needed to memorize the staff, the neighboring nobles and every member of their family; not to mention the wealthier merchants who resided in Merrivale and boosted the economy. Which, she also learned, , consisted of flax, livestock, and paper, along with several other smaller producing businesses that boosted trade.

“Am I going too fast for you, Your Grace?” Mrs. Purdy asked when they finished at the end of the day.

“Not at all,” Seraphina lied, hugging the many lists Mrs. Purdy had handed her throughout the day. “I will have these learned by tomorrow, I am sure.

Mrs. Purdy smiled smugly at her, and curtseyed.

“Very well, Your Grace. Will you be dining in your rooms or the dining hall this evening?”

“That depends,” Seraphina replied, “When will His Grace be coming back?”

“Oh! Silly me,” Mrs. Purdy laughed, pulling a note from her pocket. “In the busy-ness of the day I had forgotten he had sent this. The Duke will not be joining you tonight. There is much to be attended in the village and I believe he will be spending the next few days trying to sort those issues.”

“Days?”Seraphina asked, unable to help the disappointment in her voice.

“He does what he needs to do for the benefit of his estate,” Mrs. Purdy said, almost sounding proud. She looked at Seraphina in a way that made her feel like the smallest person alive. “I shall send your dinner up to your rooms. You look exhausted. You did well today.”

The cool tone of her voice implied the woman felt anything but pleased, but Seraphina did not reply.

The next day was worse.

After staying up for several hours attempting to memorize names Seraphina still got several of them wrong when addressing the staff, and spent a disconcerting amount of time lost in the west wing of the estate while looking for the kitchens.

On the third day she felt ready to collapse into a pile of self-pity. Her initial resolve to handle Mrs. Purdy’s apparent dislike of her had withered into a speck, and now she flinched almost every time she heard the woman’s voice. What was more was that she was sure the other servants were in on it as well. Purposely disobeying orders, then insisting they were doing as they were told.

Letters and gifts meant for the neighboring nobles were never sent. Even when she had requested to go on a ride to see the estate’s lands, the horses were suddenly unavailable. And then of course, through all of this, Seraphina saw nothing of Hugo. She wasn’t sure what she disliked more.

On the fourth day Seraphina was battling with the decision to still try or stay in bed when she heard Mrs. Purdy and another woman arguing in the hall.

“Her Grace is not expecting you, My Lady, and your brother is not here! Perhaps you should wait until he has-”

“Oh, away with you, Mrs. Purdy!” A feminine voice snapped.

Seraphina opened her door to inspect the commotion, and she was greeted by a young woman with Hugo’s green eyes smiling up at her.

“Oh, dear sister!” the woman gushed, throwing her arms around Seraphina’s neck.

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