Page 78 of The Duke Meets His Match

She embraced her father, who then placed her hand in George’s, and they together approached Mr. Hodgson.

“Dearly beloved,” Mr. Hodgson began.

***

Strangely enough, Susan had never entered Aylesham House before today. Now it was to be her home.

She and George were greeted at the door by a dignified butler Susan realized she’d seen at the wedding.

“A hearty congratulations to you, and welcome to Aylesham House, Your Grace,” he said to her with a deep, formal bow. She spotted a twinkle in his eye when he straightened. “We shall do all in our power to make you comfortable in your new home.”

“This ne’er-do-well is our butler, Talbot, my dear,” George said.

“At your service, Your Grace,” Talbot said with another bow.

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Talbot,” she replied.

Inside the house, the entire household was lined up at attention, albeit wearing their finest Sunday best, waiting to be introduced to and inspected by their new duchess.

“Mrs. Birch, housekeeper, Your Grace,” a woman of middle years said with a polite curtsy. She had graying hair styled in a no-nonsense manner, and herclothing matched in efficiency, and despite her age, her back was ramrod straight.She looked every inch the sort of housekeeper one would expect to maintain a duke’s household.

“I expect we shall rub along well together, Mrs. Birch, since I am completely aware that the duke doesn’t tolerate fools. I gather you—all of you”—she gesturedat the line of individuals still waiting to greet her—“are experts at your jobs.”Susan had no doubt that his homes were well run, and there was no reason, in her opinion, to fix something that wasn’t broken.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Mrs. Birch replied with another succinct curtsy.

It was going to take Susan a while to get used to all the curtsying and bowing that went along with her new title.

Susan met Mr. Oliver Dutton, Esquire, the long-standing family solicitor; Mr. Henshaw, George’s personal secretary; and Mrs. Bradley, the hearty, red-cheeked cook.

“And I shall tell you all of the duke’s favorite dishes,” Mrs. Bradley said aftercurtsying. “So you will know how to placate him should he ever be in a badmood, although I have yet to see—”

“Thank you, Mrs. Bradley,” George interrupted mildly.

Mrs. Bradley’s cheeks went even redder, and she curtsied once again.

“I shall be delighted to learn your culinary secrets, Mrs. Bradley,” Susan said, smiling. “I daresay they will come in handy.” She shot George a cheeky look.

George shot her a similar look in return. “And this is Evans, my valet,” he said. “The man has been with me since I was a boy in leading strings.”

Susan immediately recognized him as the person who had been George’s best man at the wedding. What an insightful discovery that was! “That is an accomplishment on many levels, Evans,” Susan said, responding to George’s comment.

The valet bowed, but Susan saw him grin before he hid it by lowering his face. When he raised his head, his formal countenance was back in place.

She met a handful of footmen and maids of all work. It wasn’t a large staff, but then, George had been a single man, a man Susan had alreadysurmised had not been keen on entertaining Society within his home. Sheattempted to remember all of their names, for she felt it was crucial that these servants be recognized as individuals and were to be respected in their various responsibilities.

She had also seen clearly that these servants were devoted to George. She suspected a few of them had been the only family he’d ever known.

Oh, George.

They would always be part of his family, Susan knew, butshewas his true family now. He was her husband.

And she intended to give him his own family of flesh and blood.

“Mrs. Birch, it has recently come to my attention that my duchess has nopersonal maid. We must address that particular situation posthaste,” George said.

“I shall see to it immediately,” Mrs. Birch said.

“Perhaps not immediately, Mrs. Birch,” Susan said. “For I have gone these many years without a personal maid, and today is a day my husband has gifted to all of you so you may enjoy the celebration and luncheon that awaits.” George had authorized the hiring of temporary servants for the day in order to give his full-time staff the chance to celebrate with them. “Another day will not matter.”

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