Chapter Eight
Justina wore her new rust and yellow hat which she had picked up from Mrs. Johnson’s shop yesterday.
She was headed to Norwood, having accepted an invitation from Lady Elinor to take tea with her and the duke this afternoon.
Tray had business in Keswick and was not able to accompany her, so His Grace had said he would send his ducal carriage for Justina and see that it also took her home to Traywick Manor.
She was excited to visit with her new friend again and curious to get a glimpse of Norwood.
The neighbors they were familiar with were mostly to the south and east. Then again, the duke himself said he had not socialized much since the passing of his wife.
She realized that although the duke and duchess had been more than acquaintances with her parents, things might have been awkward once her father had died.
Justina was very young when that had occurred, only four years of age, but she could still remember how solemn the house was in those months after Papa and Lucius were gone.
When Mama had finally emerged from her mourning, it took a long while before she accepted any invitations from friends in the neighborhood.
Mama preferred to be home with her surviving children, and Justina had relished the attention she had received.
She wondered about Lady Elinor’s experiences when her mother passed, especially since she had no idea when that death had occurred.
Perhaps if they grew closer, they might discuss that event.
She slipped into the spencer Bessie offered, then went downstairs. On the landing, she saw Larsen waited in the foyer, and the door opened, a footman entering.
“His Grace’s carriage is approaching, Mr. Prater,” the servant announced.
“Very good.” The butler glanced up, catching sight of her. “My lady, His Grace’s carriage is almost here.”
“Thank you, Prater.”
She went outside, the butler her shadow, and was handed up into the carriage.
The cushions were a deep gray, made of velvet, and the most comfortable she could recall sitting upon.
Then again, it was the carriage of a duke.
She realized he must be wealthy enough to own two carriages, since Lord Marbury and David had also taken one of the Norville carriages to town.
Justina leaned back, watching the passing scenery as she enjoyed the ride to Norwood.
When they arrived, Lady Elinor waited for her, and they embraced.
“Oh, I am so glad you could come,” her friend said. Then with a smile, she added, “You being here will get me out of lessons after tea.”
She slipped her arm through Justina’s, and the pair went into the house and to the drawing room. The house was beautifully furnished, with objets d’art every few feet in the corridor.
“So, you still have a governess?” she asked.
“Yes. She is a finishing governess, however. I finished my schooling this past spring, but with no woman in the household to guide me, Papa decided I needed a governess to smooth any rough edges. She instructs me in French, dancing, and the pianoforte. We also work on how to pour out for tea, and I am drilled incessantly on how to make conversation, which fork to use, and how to address members of Polite Society. I will continue these lessons until next spring when Papa takes me to town. Hopefully, Henry will also come with us now that his army days are behind him.”
“I did not realize Lord Marbury had been in the military. Isn’t that unusual, a duke’s son serving?”
“From what I gather, it is, but Henry insisted. After all, David was in the army, and my brother wanted to do his part for England, just as his closest friend did.”
“Were they stationed in the same division?”
Lady Elinor shrugged. “I do not think so. Then again, Henry has been very quiet about his war experience. Papa told me not to ask him about it, so I have refrained from doing so.”
They reached the doors to the drawing room, and Lady Elinor added, “You see, Henry was wounded in battle, and David brought him home from the continent. Not a word was mentioned about either of them returning to the peninsula once Henry healed, so I assume their fighting days are behind them, especially with David purchasing Mr. Shaft’s business. ”
Her curiosity grew about David Rochester. While she would never ask him about fighting against Bonaparte, she thought him very brave to have done so, especially for seven long years. She also admired Lord Marbury for having served his country.
“Come, Papa will be waiting for us. He likes you, my lady, and asked if he could join us at tea this afternoon.”
Justina glowed from the compliment as Lady Elinor threw open the doors. She saw a cheery fire burning in the hearth. The duke rose, and they moved toward him.
“Your Grace,” she greeted, dropping a curtsey. “Thank you for the invitation to tea.”
He smiled benignly at his daughter. “That is all Elinor’s doing, but I am happy you could come this afternoon, Lady Justina. I am only sorry Lord Traywick could not join us. Will his business keep him in Keswick long?”
“Tray hopes to be back by tonight, but I fear it will be sometime tomorrow before he returns home.”
She briefly explained why her brother had gone into Keswick, which led to a lengthy discussion about milling flour and lining up buyers for the sacks. While she and the duke spoke of business, Lady Elinor poured out for them and arranged a few delicacies on a plate for Justina to try.
“Enough talk of mills and milling,” Lady Elinor said. “I did not ask Lady Justina to come to entertain you, Papa.”
The duke’s eyes twinkled. “Why, I find Lady Justina most informed. Do you know much of Lord Traywick’s estate, my lady, beyond milling?”
“Quite a bit, Your Grace. My brother came into his title at a very young age. As he learned about the running of the estate, my sister Verina and I also did so. Tray became the man of our family at that point, and Verina and I worshipped him even more than we had in the past. Every question Tray asked, I eagerly awaited for the answer. Most times, it came from Mr. Hillman, who still serves as our steward. I listened. I learned. And when I had a question, Tray told me not to be shy about asking it. Consequently, I gained a good bit of knowledge about estate management.”
“See?” The duke looked to his daughter. “Not everyone is as bored by the running of an estate as you are.”
“Oh, Papa, I will leave that to my husband. My domain will be my household.” Lady Elinor looked to her.
“My mother left us when I was only four years of age. Papa engaged the best of governesses for me before I went away to school, and he also has made certain that I understand how the running of a large house is handled. I have met weekly with our housekeeper ever since I can recall, learning what my role is in the running of a great house.”
“I, too, was four years old when I lost my father,” Justina said.
“I feel blessed that I had Mama until recently. She taught both Verina and me the workings of a large household and how to manage it. Verina is now putting that knowledge to use as the Duchess of Reddington. She now resides in Suffolk.”
“Oh, that is so far away,” her friend said. “You must miss her a great deal.”
“I do, but I see her in town during the Season. Tray and I have gone the past few years, and Verina is there with her duke and her babe. Marcus is twenty months old now, and a joy to be around. Verina and her family also came to stay at Traywick Manor for a month this past July.”
Lady Elinor frowned. “You said your sister brought her babe to town? Whatever for?”
“My family is different from others of the ton, my lady. We choose to bring our children to town with us so that parents and children are not separated for months at a time. That way, all my cousins remain happy, their children in their households, and we get together each day of the Season. I enjoy playing with all the children, and it will allow this new generation of cousins to grow up knowing one another.”
“That is so unusual, my lady.”
“I like it,” the duke proclaimed. “Your mother and I were never much on the Season. The balls were downright boring to me. Then again, I have two left feet and dance atrociously.”
“Papa!” Lady Elinor said, laughing.
“Well, it is true. We did not return to the Season after our marriage. And then we had Henry, and we decided we could not be parted from him, so we stayed home when the Season began—and did not miss it one whit. Then you arrived, Elinor, and we continued to stay home.”
Lady Elinor sniffed. “That will change this coming spring, Papa. I insist that you accompany me to town.”
“To pay your modiste’s bills,” he muttered good-naturedly.
“Do you think Henry will peruse the Marriage Mart?” she asked her father. “Now that he is home for good?”
“I would think so,” the duke said, nodding. “Henry will also be another set of eyes and ears to watch over you as you make your come-out.”
Lady Elinor turned to Justina. “Would you consider making your come-out with me, my lady? We could have ever so much fun together.”
The Season still held no attraction for her, but she did not want to hurt her friend’s feelings. Lady Elinor seemed enamored of the Season, much as Verina had been.
“I will think it over, my lady. I do not wish to commit to either yea or nay at this point.”
“Oh, I do hope you will consider doing so. It would be wonderful to have a friend to go through the social swirl.”
She bit into a macaroon. “You must pass along my compliments to your cook. This is one of the lightest macaroons I have ever eaten. The subtle almond flavor makes it delicious.”
Just then, the doors flew open, and Lord Marbury and David came through them.
Immediately, Justina’s heart began to race, and her mouth grew dry at the sight of David.
No, Mr. Rochester. While they might choose to be more familiar when alone in one another’s company, she could not address him as thus in front of the duke.