Chapter 8 #2
Phoebe’s steps faltered slightly and she wondered if it was all right to ask for more details. She was curious about the duke and his family, but he made her incredibly nervous and she felt as though he would not feel inclined to tell her if she were to ask directly.
“W-What happened to her?”
Maude inhaled sharply, glancing at Phoebe before she continued,
“Her husband the duke passed away suddenly and it left her and her son quite devastated. Even more so than we realized, because she fell ill shortly after and after a few years, she died as well, leaving the duke all by himself.”
It was a sad story to hear. Phoebe could only imagine what it was like for Edward to have lost one parent and then watched as the other withered away before his very eyes.
When she thought of his confidence, his self-assured nature, she wondered if he had long since made peace with their departure or if it the pain and grief had turned him into who he was now.
She could clearly recall the pain that followed the loss of her own parents, how difficult it had been to do much else, besides grieve. Even breathing felt tiresome and almost pointless.
But she had taken a look at her brother and sister, and she slowly came to the realization that they needed each other to survive. Their parents would want them to live on, to push forward despite their absence.
In a way, Rowland and Anna had saved her life, as she had also saved theirs.
Edward had been all alone, though. How had he coped?
“What is His Grace like? Truly? I have noticed he is rather... admirable and persistent, in regards to his values. Has he always been like that?” Phoebe asked suddenly.
“Oh, yes. He was quite young when his father, the former duke, passed, and as such, he took on the responsibilities of the dukedom at a very sensitive time. But His Grace never faltered or relented. He faced his duties with determination and grew up to be a very principled man. The household has flourished immensely under his care, thanks to his precision and dedication.” Maude stated proudly.
Phoebe could see what she meant when she thought of how she had interacted with her husband. He was very strict about the things he wanted and could clearly express why he had such standards, which to Phoebe, served as solid proof of his character.
He had been through so much, yet it did not show in his dealings or conduct.
There weren’t rumors of his uncouth behavior or anything of the sort — none other than his preferred exclusion from society.
Even still, when Phoebe had tried to gather information on him subtly, followed his proposal and her acceptance, it seemed as though he held the curiosity and interest of all those who knew about him.
And not for the first time since they were married, Phoebe felt as though she was an inferior choice for a wife. Surely there were better women who could have taken on the duty of being his wife — women who would easily match his standards.
But the die had been cast and the martial knot tied. She was his wife now and all she could do was ensure he did not regret his choice.
So, she faced the housekeeper and carefully voiced, “I would like to know more about him. His preferences, his schedule and even his conduct. I think… having the knowledge of these things would help me be a better wife to him.”
Maude seemed delighted at her words.
“How thoughtful of you, Your Grace,” the housekeeper smiled brightly.
“I would be more than happy to tell you all that you need to know. You see — as I said, His Grace is quite particular about his routine. He is committed to a strict schedule of his own making and spends most of his days following his routine. He prefers to have his meals in his study, but occasionally he would have his breakfast in the sun room. He goes riding every week with his friend, the Duke of Ravencroft — or at least they do when their schedules are not busy. He spends most of his mornings and afternoons in his study working, but he visits the town for meetings on Thursdays. Once a week, he entertains the Duke of Ravencroft and some work associates at a gentleman’s club in the evening.
But on most evenings, he spends his time in the drawing room with a book and a glass of whiskey.
And before bed every night, he takes a tonic, without fail.
Additionally, he tends to spend a longer time in his room on rainy mornings.
It is a habit he had as a child and it is the only one he has been unable to grow out of.
He claims the chill in the air makes him feel slow. ”
Phoebe’s attention had stuck to the information the woman had given about the tonic her husband drank at night.
What was it for? Why did he drink it every night?
She had hoped Maude would speak some more on the subject, but she had smoothly moved onto the next bit of fact, which somehow made Phoebe reluctant to ask to know more about it.
“Ah, pardon me, Your Grace,” Maude said suddenly, as she glanced down the hallway. “It would seem my attention is needed elsewhere.”
Phoebe followed her gaze and noticed a maid lingering nervous by a door, curtseying hastily once she realized the duchess was looking at her.
She nodded in acknowledgement and shifted her attention back to the housekeeper.
“Of course. I shall be waiting to resume our conversation soon.”
The housekeeper curtsied and walked away, leaving Phoebe alone, her mind reeling with thoughts of Edward.