Page 71 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
Lady Stratford and Mr Eden were nowhere to be found. Juliana had expected to see them, never thinking that the duke would be alone. While she enjoyed being around him, his presence still unsettled her and gave her belly the feeling of many fluttering little winged creatures bumping into each other.
“My sister has chosen to eat later, and Mr Eden is too engrossed in a book to bother coming down. His hot chocolate will have to do for now. Perhaps you can send a plate up to him.”
“Yes, Your Grace. May I serve you?”
“Of course,” the duke said, smiling.
Juliana put four slices of toast on a side plate and put the fig preserve within reach before pouring the coffee and adding two lumps of sugar and a bit of cream. Two generous slices of pound cake completed the duke’s meal, but she left the whole cake if he wanted more.
Everything was done in silence, with the duke watching her every movement and making her feel a tad warm under his gaze. Juliana was relieved when she could finally turn to go, but she didn’t get too far.
“Would you mind staying a moment longer?” he asked. “I wish to discuss a few matters with you.”
Juliana returned to the table, clasping her hands before her as she waited for the duke to continue speaking.
“Take a seat, Isabella. I shall not be able to talk with you looming over me.”
He spoke teasingly, bringing a flush to her cheeks, and she soon grew alarmed when he stood up and pulled a chair out for her, raising his eyebrows when she hesitated.
“Well?” he said. “I cannot wait here all day. My coffee will grow cold.”
Juliana dipped her head, gnawing on her lower lip as she took a seat, allowing the duke to help tuck her in. It was all rather odd and not proper behaviour for a duke or a servant. Lady Stratford would have a fainting spell if she found Juliana at the table with her brother.
“What is it that you wished to discuss, Your Grace?” she asked as soon as he had sat down.
“I have done a lot of thinking concerning your situation and wish to discuss the way forward. I have asked Constable Matthews to use his sources to find any information on reported missing persons outside of the county.
Johnson has already asked our reverend to use whatever resources he has to reach out to the other parishes in the country. I am certain we will find your family soon.”
This was wonderful news, and she should have been happy, but all Juliana felt was sadness. Her silly heart believed the duke was kicking her out of his life, and she didn’t want to go.
“Well, say something,” the duke said. “Are you not pleased?”
“Certainly, Your Grace,” Juliana replied. “I am only overwhelmed. Thank you for all your help.”
“It is nothing, but perhaps you can repay me by reading to me after breakfast. I have a headache and need a soothing voice to help ease my mind. I understand that you must be busy with all the servants ill today, but it would only be for a few minutes.”
This was much more pleasing and unexpected. “I would be glad to do so, Your Grace. Shall I meet you in the library?”
“Yes, in about an hour or so. Come with some hot chocolate— I’m suddenly hankering after the drink.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Juliana left the drawing room grinning from ear to ear and so happy that she wished to sing. She wanted to make the duke’s hot chocolate and hoped Cook would allow her. The woman would be preparing for nuncheon and would likely appreciate someone else making the drink.
Juliana had never made it before, but she had seen Cook and the two Marys make it enough times to feel confident that she could do it. It helped that they had premade chocolate tablets ready for use whenever Lady Stratford, who enjoyed a cup or two a day, wished for the frothy drink.
“Mrs Black has told me that our Mr Eden refuses to get out of bed,” Cook said when she saw Juliana. “That young man was born to break social rules. I suppose he’ll be wanting a plate brought up to him?”
“The duke has asked that we do so, but Mr Eden is content with his book and hot chocolate for now.”
“Lady Stratford will wish to eat at a fashionable hour just like her friends. What has become of the sweet young lady I used to know? She is becoming more and more like those horrid friends she keeps. I can only hope that marriage will keep her from becoming one of them.”
Cook continued to speak about all the world’s social ills, how thetonwere nothing but silly people with more money than sense, and how saintly the duke was. It took several tries before Juliana was able to get in a word edgewise.
“The duke has asked for hot chocolate, and I thought I could perhaps make it for him.”
“But you have never made it before,” Cook protested. “I cannot bear to think what he will say if it tastes horrible.”
