Page 37 of Her Tiger of a Duke
“The late Duchess found it restful,” Mrs. Forsythe replied. “His Grace never wanted to change it.”
“I find it dreary, and I think it needs to change,” Beatrice said firmly, turning toward the window where the sunlight struggled to break through the fabric. “Something pale, such as a cream.”
The housekeeper hesitated. Beatrice wondered if there was something that she was not telling her, but if she was not goingto tell her of her own accord, then she was not going to demand it. If there was no reason against it, then she would do as she pleased.
“That will show the dust sooner,” she explained.
“I do not mind dust,” Beatrice said. “I mind sitting in the dark. I understand that the late Duchess liked it this way, but I do not.”
Mrs. Forsythe’s mouth twitched, as though suppressing a smile. Though Beatrice did not like being so firm, she was pleased that it was working. It was also undeniable that her housekeeper was rather enjoying the changes, even if her loyalties lay fundamentally with Owen’s late mother.
“Very well, Your Grace. I’ll write to the upholsterer in town. It may take some time.”
“I’m sure it will,” Beatrice said lightly. “But it will be worth it. Besides, I am certain that he will work quicker for a fee, and if we tell him how important it is, he may well make an exception for us.”
“Your status certainly will help, as well as the fact that three more duchesses will be arriving to see his work.”
They moved on to the parlor room. The air was faintly musty, even though Beatrice knew it was cleaned every day, and several of the chairs looked as though no one had sat in them for years.
“These are dreadful,” Beatrice said, touching the stiff embroidered cushions in a vain attempt to soften them. “Does anyone ever use this room? I have only just noticed how hard it all is, and I have sat in here.”
“Until your arrival, the room was not used at all. His Grace prefers his study when he receives guests, and so there was no need for it.”
“Then perhaps we should make this room a little more welcoming for when I do,” Beatrice said.
She looked around, truly taking notice of how it looked. It was one thing when she shared a drink in there with Owen, but another entirely when she was to host in there. Her friends were not judgmental, but that did not mean she did not care how her home looked.
“Remove two of the large armchairs,” she began. “They are crowding the hearth. We can bring in some smaller ones from the east parlor. And I wish to have flowers kept here. They are to be changed regularly.”
“I will see to it. The gardeners will need notice if you want regular arrangements, of course.”
“Then we will give them notice,” Beatrice replied.
She was beginning to enjoy her position, and she loved that she could ask for anything she wanted and have it given to her. Shewould never want too much, but it was good to know that she would have people willing to give it to her if she ever did.
“I do not need anything in particular. They may choose, and it would be best that they use anything in season.”
Mrs. Forsythe took note, agreeing with her. They climbed the stairs next, and Beatrice paused outside one of the guest chambers. The decorations were crimson, once again heavy and dark, and Beatrice wondered if everything had been chosen by the late Duchess and never changed.
“I think this room could be made more comfortable,” she said. “As it is, it feels old, and do you see the wallpaper? It is peeling.”
“It is seldom used,” Mrs. Forsythe said. “Most guests were housed nearer the south wing when His Grace had them, and so it has been years since anyone used it.”
“Then it is time that we prepare it. I would like to replace the hangings with cotton, white or cream, and air the mattresses. This way, I can offer it to the Duchess of Lupton’s children and give my friend some peace.”
Mrs. Forsythe inclined her head again with approval. She was not saying it in so many words, but Beatrice hoped that this was something that all the staff wanted. Her housekeeper clearly had pride in the household, and she wanted her to like it too.
“Do you know, Your Grace, some of the bedding hasn’t been changed since before His Grace’s father’s time. I am only now realizing.”
“Then it is long overdue.”
After that, they descended toward the servants’ quarters. The air grew cooler, the light dimmer, and muffled sounds could be heard. It was the path she took to the kitchens, and it was pleasant enough, but it made her think of something unrelated to the furnishings.
“I have noticed the footmen wait very late after dinner,” Beatrice said. “Once the table is cleared, they should be dismissed, should they not? There is no need to keep them standing in the hall until midnight. It must be exhausting.”
Mrs. Forsythe seemed to think for a moment, and then she chuckled.
“That would have been the late Duke. He often took brandy or correspondence after the household retired, and His Grace never changed the directions to the staff.”
