Page 21 of The Duke of Kisses
Ivy’s gaze softened. “What a wonderful idea.” She’d been a companion. A patroness from the workhouse where Ivy had lived had seen her intelligence and grace and arranged for a position. “That you have embraced my charitable endeavors so warmly and completely is a gift I deeply treasure.”
“You’re an inspiration,” Fanny said, carefully stacking her folded stockings. She hadn’t known the truth of Ivy’s departure and the ensuing ten years of her life until she’d come to live with Ivy and West last summer. She couldn’t help feeling angry and bitter about her parents’ treatment of Ivy and the way they’d lied about why she left. They’d told her she’d taken a position as a governess, when in reality, they’d thrown her out after she’d become pregnant by a gentleman who’d vowed to marry her. He hadn’t, of course. He’d abandoned her completely, which was why Ivy despised men.Mostmen. She adored West. And he worshipped her. It might have been nauseating if it wasn’t like a fairy tale come true.
“Where do you want to locate this workhouse?”
Fanny had given this much thought. “It makes sense to have it in London, but I was also thinking it might be nice to have one in the country. There are so few opportunities for women to improve their station. Honestly, I think I’d like to start one in Yorkshire. Just think if something like this had been available to you.”
Ivy wiped a hand over her eye. “The babe makes me such a watering pot.” Ivy and West were expecting their second child at the end of the summer, and Leah wasn’t even yet a year old.
“I’m surprised you aren’t taking a nap while Leah is sleeping.”
“I wanted to make sure everything is ready to go to the orphanage tomorrow. But now that I see you have everything well in hand, perhaps I’ll do that.”
Fanny folded the last of her stockings and scooted the pile next to Ivy’s. Having learned her lesson, she didn’t stack them on top of each other. “I’m happy to help. I’ll fold the other linens and box up the other donations.”
Ivy rose, the slight swell of her stomach barely discernible beneath the drape of her moss-green muslin day dress. “You are the very best sister anyone could want.”
The butler, Tarenton, appeared in the doorway. “Your Grace, there is a caller. For Miss Snowden.”
Ivy exchanged a look with Fanny before asking, “Who is it, Tarenton?”
“Lord St. Ives.”
Fanny’s heart skipped just before it picked up speed. She’d so been hoping he would call, and yet she didn’t want to deprive her sister of her nap.
“Show him up,” Ivy said without hesitation.
The butler nodded and left.
“But you want to rest.” Fanny stood.
Ivy waved a hand. “I’ll just sit here while you take a walk outside. That will allow me to rest—the chaise in the corner is quite comfortable—and give you privacy with Lord St. Ives. Just promise me you’ll remember everything I told you about men.”
“That they’re focused on one thing, and most don’t care a whit how women feel about it. They take what they want, and we can be damned.”
Ivy smiled in approval. “Exactly. It does seem St. Ives may be in a small minority. He performed quite well under West’s scrutiny last night.”
Fanny’s eyes rounded—and her heart skipped again, but for an altogether different reason. “What did West do?”
“Oh look, he’s here.” Ivy gave Fanny an apologetic glance as she turned to face their new arrival.
David removed his hat and bowed deeply. “Good afternoon, ladies. Duchess. Miss Snowden.” He leaned first in Ivy’s direction then Fanny’s.
“Good afternoon, Lord St. Ives,” Ivy said. “I was just telling Fanny that you ought to take a turn in the garden since it’s such a lovely afternoon.”
David’s gaze met Fanny’s, and she gave him a tiny nod. “We can go out this way.” She gestured to the doors that led to a terrace that overlooked the garden. Stairs led down to a path that circuited the enclosure behind the house. “Allow me to fetch my bonnet.” Thankfully, it was resting on a table nearby since she’d already gone outside earlier.
As she tied the hat beneath her chin, David offered another small bow to Ivy. He replaced his hat on his head, then came to Fanny and presented his arm.
Her heart tripped faster again at his proximity. His scent of clove and pine filled her nose and only heightened her awareness. They were quiet until they walked outside.
“How are you today?” he asked.
“I’m so glad you called,” she said at precisely the same moment.
They laughed, and he guided her down the stairs to the garden.
She clutched his arm perhaps a bit too tightly, but she didn’t care. She wasn’t going to slip and fall down the stairs in another Fanny Moment. “I’m perfectly fine, thank you. Ivy made sure I was warm to the point of discomfort for the remainder of yesterday.”
