Page 36 of The Artisan and the Duke
Sherry nodded. “Then I would be honoured,” she agreed with a grin. The two of them shared a hug before Sherry said, “Best not mess up your hair. I’m sure that Sir Lawrence will be sure to make a note of it.”
Jules frowned. “Now if only I could do away with that man. I’m sure that would help the Duke’s frame of mind,” Jules said with a shake of her head.
“I feel that the man would prove just as much trouble dead as alive, Ma’am,” Sherry said.
Jules had to agree that being put on trial for murder would probably not go in her favour. “You are right, but I still do not like the man,” Jules said firmly.
“I don’t think anyone does,” Sherry said with a wry grin.
***
A few days later, Jules was greeted by an excited Lady St Claire. Not only had the Duke procured the special licence, but everyone was due to be in the next day. Jules was not even given a chance to put her thoughts in order before everyone was immersed in getting rooms ready for the arrivals.
Jules was looking forward to seeing her mother again, even if she was a bit nervous about the reason the woman was coming back to London. Sherry helped Jules pick out two dresses from the wardrobe that Lady St Claire had provided to her.
The dress that Jules was leaning toward was an almost white, pale yellow with lace neckline and sleeves. It was a dress far more beautiful than Jules would ever deem to wear usually, but she thought it would be just right among the soft pinks and reds of the rose garden.
When her mother arrived early the next morning, Jules was beside herself with joy. To be embraced again by her family was a relief beyond imagining. Jules showed her sisters and mother her dresses and allowed them to help her pick one out. Georgie liked the pink one, but Tally and Mrs Kelley both sided with Jules on the yellow dress. Georgie shrugged off the defeat once Jules told her that she and Tally could be flower girls.
It was not that common to have flower girls, but Lady St Claire thought it a darling tradition, and she wanted the girls to feel involved in the ceremony. “After all, we are accepting them into our family as well,” Lady St Claire had said fondly. “I always wanted little girls to run about Thornton Hall. It looks like I have that and then some now.”
Jules found that the one person she did not see much of leading up to the ceremony was her groom. The Duke always seemed to be heading off to check on something or to run an errand. Jules could not recall sitting and talking with the man for more than a moment since the day in the rose garden.
“Do you think he will be around after we have said the vows?” Jules asked Lady St Claire with a sigh as the Duke rushed off yet again to go see about some urgent business.
Lady St Claire looked up from her tea and said, “In my experience, men are home only when it suits them, but I would not worry over it. Gregory seems quite fond of you. I think he is just trying to get things taken care of before the ceremony so you two can have some peace afterwards.”
“Is it about the trial that he was helping with?” Jules asked conversationally.
Lady St Claire said honestly, “That I do not know. Gregory does not talk to me about such things, and I like that just fine.”
“Where is Sir Lawrence? I have not seen him in a couple of days. I thought the Duke said he would be here for the ceremony.” Jules frowned. She did not really mind the man’s absence, but she found it puzzling.
Lady St Claire said in a low voice, “He is off grumbling into bottles about his fortune, no doubt.”
“Does he drink heavily?” Jules asked in distaste. She had seen plenty of men who were always in their cups while she apprenticed, and she had always looked on them as some of the sorrier excuses for men.
Lady St Claire sipped her tea and took on a contemplative look. Finally, she said, “I often think he goes to the houses more to talk than to drink. Men deep in the draught are easily guided by a snake’s tongue.”
Jules gave Lady St Claire a look of respect. She really was an astute woman, and Jules had grown to look to the woman as guidance for how to navigate the twisting world that the nobles seemed to think was all straight corridors. “I just pray he is not turning their ears against the Duke. I fear that his ambitions are far from over,” Jules said with a frown.
“You are wise to think so,” Lady St Claire assured Jules. “The man is a most determined sort. I still hold him responsible for what happened to my Richard. He was a good man and only tried to see the best in everyone. I think that was his undoing.”
Jules gave the woman’s hand a comforting squeeze. “That’s a virtue that more in the world could do with, but it is a hard path to follow,” Jules said softly.
***
“I don’t know how you got him to agree, Your Grace, but Sir Chapman has agreed to release the men. I daresay there will be repercussions for this victory. However, today we drink merrily,” said Barrister Dulock. He raised a mug of brandy in a salute to the blond-haired Duke before him.
Gregory shook his head and held up his own glass to return the gesture to the man. “I think it was just as much your own rousing speech, my friend. I have repaid my debt and now can marry without the weight of it hanging on me,” Gregory said happily.
Barrister Dulock shouted, “Hear, hear! And may it be a productive and jolly bonding, Your Grace!”
“Now that, I can drink to,” Gregory said with a laugh. No sooner had Gregory finished his drink than he said, “As light as my heart is, I have to go and check that everything is in order.”
Barrister Dulock nodded. “Don’t let me keep you. I’ll keep you abreast of things on this end, but the guild members should be free men by this time tomorrow.”
It was with that thought in his mind that Gregory set out towards home. He thought it might put the dark-haired young woman in a good mood to hear his news. He smiled to himself as he urged his horse back towards the family home.
