Page 9 of A Duke, a Virgin and a Baby
Anna desired to have a close group of confidants she could rely on and depend on, people she could care for and be taken care of by, so she hired a handful of young maids.
The new girls had added a new layer of life and light to the estate, filling the hallways with laughter. Anna did not have a lot of friends growing up, none that would visit her at the estate, anyway. However, since these girls were the only company she had, they filled that void, never hesitating to share their concerns or jokes with their duchess. Although it was quite uncommon – and sometimes frowned upon – for high class people to mingle so closely with the servants, Anna needed the companionship.
In appreciation of their work and companionship, she gathered them all for a picnic by the lake at the edge of the property once a month. It was always a day filled with laughter and ease, and by the end of it, the residents of the estate would have a pleased flush on their skin for the rest of the day.
“Have you seen the gardener’s son? He has the dreamiest blue eyes,” Regina sighed, swooning as she squeezed the water out of her hair.
“I don’t know if I would say they are the dreamiest I’ve ever seen, but they are quite a sight,” Gretchen agreed with a solemn nod that was betrayed by her playful smirk.
At the mention of blue eyes, Anna was reminded of her husband.
True to his word, he had left her to her own devices while he was away. He had not visited her once, nor had he sent a letter to inquire about her well-being.
“He does ask of you, Your Grace,” Ernest told her once when her curiosity got the better of her after three months of absolute silence. “He requested that we send him letters every month about the affairs of the estate and we were instructed to include details of your well-being as well. His Grace seems pleased to know you are well.”
Somehow, that was a hard pill to swallow, because Anna recalled just how easily he left her. She hadn’t allowed herself to imagine what life would be like, had he not left her alone, and had never let herself dwell on the what-ifs of their unique situation. But perhaps a side of her still felt bitter that she had been cast away like a burdensome pest he did not want to deal with.
Still... she couldn’t help but wonder what life would’ve been like if perhaps he stayed. If he was willing to try to make the mostof their marriage by her side. If she had considered it during the tense carriage ride to the estate.
But that was all in the past, and she was better off the way things were now.
“And his voice,” Ellen sighed dramatically, as she propped her elbows up on the blanket and rested her face in her cupped hands. “Each time he greets me in the morning, it is all I can do not to have a heart attack.”
“Should I be worried about you ladies bothering my gardener?” Anna mused with a smile.
“Only if he stops coming to the estate, Your Grace. Otherwise, you have nothing to fear, we are just a tad curious about him, is all.” Gretchen smiled bashfully.
“You girls are quite terrifying. I feel frightened for the poor boy –”
“Your Grace!” a voice rang in the air, the alarm in the tone cutting the duchess off. “There’s – at the door! There’s something strange at the door!”
Curious, Anna rose to her feet, holding out her hands before her to prompt the maid running towards them from the house to slow down.
“Breathe, dear. Whatever it is, it likely isn’t worth you feeling faint over.” Anna urged gently.
The maid shook her head, breathing heavily.
“But – there’s… oh, you must go quickly! Someone left a child at the door to the estate!”
Anna blinked, confused by the maid’s words. But she seemed too startled, the duchess felt it would be best to have the girl show her what she meant, rather than explain it.
“All right. Show me that is wrong.”
The maid nodded, wiping the sweat as she led the way, the duchess and a handful of maids whose attentions had been captured, back to the house.
There seemed to be some sort of commotion happening at the front door of the house, something that had the maids that surrounded the entrance rapidly voicing their confusion.
“Who do you think he belongs to?”
“Who knows? All we have is a name.”
“Surely he was not just birthed. He’s supposed to be… smaller.”
“Of course not, you dunce. He must be nearly a year old. Just look at him.”
“What on earth is the fuss about?” Anna queried, raising her voice to be heard above the commotion.
The maid looked in her direction simultaneously and all at once, shuffled away from the door, clearing a path for her to… what appeared to be a basket, sitting on the porch.
