Page 58 of Duchess Material

“What. I have eyes, Natalie! He does have lovely shoulders, honey.”

The door peeked open. Patrick’s daughter, Charlotte Roughy, toddled in wearing an adorable red plaid smock dress. Charlotte was the product of Patrick’s marriage to a woman. They kept things looking above-board while he kept his Premier League career afloat. Patrick came out as he shifted to less-competitive MLS play in his mid-thirties. Charlotte’s mother was out of the picture. It appeared she was glad to have her life back. Her interest in parenting was limited. Lucy had to hand it to him and George. They made wonderful parents.

“Aww, look at you,” Lucy sighed. “You’re darling.”

Patrick followed. “Mom chose the outfit. She’s… she’s adorable, right?”

“She’s precious,” Lucy said.

“I love your bow,” Natalie cooed. “You and George did not come up with this?”

“No, God, no. I don’t buy any of her clothing—thank God.”

Charlotte walked over to her grandmother and climbed into her lap.

Patrick asked, “What are you all doing up here? Bored?”

George arrived. Spotting Lucy, he crossed his arms.

“Our boiler has gone tits up,” Natalie answered. “And everyone feels they were freezing.”

“Natalie, not all of us are looking for a combat experience for Christmas,” Sheena pointed out.

Lucy looked at her hands in her lap. “No, indeed.”

“So, they will be staying up here with us,” the Queen said, happily.

“We thought we might take the little one to town after a bit,” George said. “Anyone want to join us?”

“Well, I will,” Natalie said. “But I need a long soak before I can even contemplate it.”

“That’s fine. She needs a nap,” Patrick said. “We’re trying—”

“We’re trying in futility,” George added.

“We’re trying to get her to stay on some sort of schedule,” Patrick said.

Vanna looked sympathetic. “It’s very difficult. Don’t feel bad if you cannot. I can still remember Australia and New Zealand with Kiersten when she was still so young. Nightmarish. Give up on the time zones. She sleeps when she sleeps. I know that’s not what you want to hear.”

“We were told to try. The nanny is insisting we try. I guess we will hang out until The Princess deigns to join us?” George looked at his sister playfully.

Patrick was over it. “I’m still jet lagged. I’m taking a damn nap.”

“That sounds lovely,” Lucy said. “I don’t think I slept well last night at all. I was freezing to death!”

“It wasn’t so bad!” Natalie scoffed.

“It was five this morning!” Sheena insisted.

Lucy could still feel the cold in her bones. There was nothing like a drafty English country house. Without a boiler, the fireplaces did little. Back in the day, people had barrages of screens and blankets to cloister them in front of a roaring fire. Without these accompaniments, houses were frigid. Lucy had learned to wear layers to any country house from September until June.

“It’s not a combat mission, Nat,” Lucy said.

“Well, you’d not make it. I’m glad you aren’t mine to babysit!”

“Isn’t Lucy your babysitter?” Patrick joked.

Natalie burst into laughter and Lucy snickered. It wasn’t too far off.

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