Page 26 of Her Bear of a Duke

"Is that because she is lacking?" Mrs. Herrington asked.

"Of course not," Morgan said firmly. "She is a very capable lady. She simply needs time, which we will be giving her. She will also need help, which I expect you to give her."

"I do not have time for that."

"Then you shall have to spend less time with my niece. You know perfectly well that your duty is to the Duchess, not to my late brother's daughter."

She frowned at that, but it had to be said. The household ran well even with her frequent absences, but she would no longer have the time to spend hours in Catherine's wing of the household. He simply hoped that Mrs. Herrington did not blame Dorothy for that, as it was no fault of hers.

"Very well," she nodded reluctantly. "Will you be seeing her soon yourself?"

"I will, when I have the time."

"I could return to my duties right now if you wish," she offered. "That way, you can see your wife instead."

"I think it would be best if you saw her for now. She needs to understand the running of the household, and you are the one to do that."

She sighed, standing to leave.

"If you insist," she nodded, "but you must know that I do not trust this girl. She does not seem to me like a capable lady that will seamlessly run a household. She does not strike me as a duchess."

She left, and Morgan considered ensuring that she did indeed go to his wife rather than returning to Catherine, but he trusted her. He sat back at his desk, and as had happened every time he was sat quietly his thoughts turned to his wife. He did not know what she had been doing since their arrival, but he hoped that she was finding something enjoyable to do. He had not wanted to be too close to her, as he knew he could not spend very much time with her for the time being.

If he spent too much time with her, he risked mentioning his niece, and that would force him to reveal things to her that he thought were better unsaid. He was not trying to hurt her, but it was necessary while she came to understand her new life. Once that was settled, he would find her a tutor and she would have days filled with experiences and she would forgive him for how their marriage had begun.

That was what he hoped would happen, at least.

That evening, he decided that he would see her. He knew that she would be in her wing of the household, and so he thought that he would join her there and discuss the changes to her life. He also hoped to ask her what had transpired between herself and Mrs. Herrington, as he did not want her to feel as though she was lesser than her own housekeeper, even if she was inexperienced.

As he passed, however, he heard two voices.

"I cannot believe this," a voice that he recognized as Dorothy's sighed.

"You must give him time," Francine replied. "This is a change for the both of you, after all."

"I know, but you would think that he would at least try to comfort me through all of this. I do not know the first thing about being a duchess, and all I have is Mrs. Herrington treating me as though I am useless."

"Well, you are anything but useless."

"No, I am. I do not know the first thing about what it is I am supposed to do, and it is not as though I will learn anytime soon."

"I do not know why she is doing this to you," Francine said gently. "She is kind to the staff, and she cares for the Duke as if he were her own son."

"Whatever her reason, it is not fair. She speaks to me as though I am diseased."

Morgan paused. He knew that his housekeeper had high standards for his wife, whoever he chose, but that did not give her the right to be unkind to Dorothy. Not only that, but Mrs. Herrington was, as Francine had said, a kind woman. She treated everyone well, and so for her to have made an exception for the one lady that she was to serve made Morgan very uncomfortable indeed.

"Perhaps you should tell the Duke?" Francine suggested. "He will be able to tell her to stop."

"The Duke wants nothing to do with me. He has made that perfectly clear."

"Your Grace, I–"

"No. I know that you are trying to see the best in him, but this is my fourth day here and I am yet to see him. He does not want to see me, and I can only assume that is because he does not care."

Morgan scolded himself for making her believe that, especially when he had not done it for the reason she thought. Yes, he had been avoiding her, but it had not been because he did not care. On the contrary, he did it because he did care for her, and he did not want her to face any stress because of his presence, or if the worst happened and he told her about Catherine before he thought she was ready.

If company was what she wanted, however, he would try. It was only fair that he gave her a chance, especially with all that she had given up for him.

---