6. Chapter 6 #2
Everett was the first to appear, his eyes just as sleepy as they had been an hour ago when I’d seen him.
He put his hands over his ears as he frowned at me. “What are you doing?”
“Summoning everyone to supper,” I shouted above the sound of the gong.
Davis was next, a book in his hand, his confused look just as prominent as Everett’s.
It took a few more minutes, but eventually Brant and Collins also entered the Great Hall, still wearing their casual work clothes.
“We’re here,” Everett said, his hands still over his ears. “Why don’t you stop?”
“Where is Ames?”
“He hasn’t come in from his work yet.”
I finally stopped banging on the gong and let the mallet fall back into place. Then I turned to my new brothers-in-law and placed my hands on my hips.
“From now on,” I said, trying to keep my voice even, my pulse pounding with nerves and indignation, “when you hear the dressing gong, you will stop whatever you are doing and go to your rooms to dress for supper.”
They stared at me and I remembered Aunt Eliza asking me to teach these men proper etiquette so they could move within society.
“As the duchess,” I continued, my arm still tingling from the impact of the gong, forcing myself to sound more authoritative than I felt, “I will run this home properly and expect you to act like gentlemen.”
Brant crossed his arms. “There is no need for a dressing gong, since we don’t dress for supper.”
“That will change,” I said.
“What are we supposed to wear?” Collins asked.
“A black tailcoat or dinner jacket.”
“We don’t have those.”
I frowned. “And why not?”
“Because we don’t go out.” This came from behind me—in a deep, familiar voice. “And have no need for formality.”
I spun, my skirts twirling with me, to find Ames standing in the doorway.
He was still in his work clothes, now more stained and muddied than they’d been this morning. His hair was a perfect mess, there was a shadow of a beard on his face, and he looked . . . devastatingly handsome.
His intense gaze traveled over my gown, but it was hard to read his expression. Was he pleased with what he saw? Or annoyed?
I swallowed my nerves. “Then we will need to remedy that, because I intend to bring respectability and manners back to this family. I will have a tailor come to the castle and fit everyone for a proper wardrobe.”
“It’s a waste of money,” Ames said, crossing his arms much like Brant had. “Since we have no need of such fancy dress.” He motioned to my gown. “This is—” He swallowed but then nodded. “Impractical for our lifestyle.”
“Your lifestyle changed when you married me.” I needed the familiarity and predictability of a schedule, not to mention a meal and companionship to look forward to at the end of a day. “I will not change my standards of living because I came to this godforsaken place.”
“Boys,” Ames said as he nodded at his brothers without taking his gaze off me. “Head to the dining room. We’ll join you momentarily.”
Without a word, they left us.
Ames stared at me but didn’t move. The wall of indifference he usually hid behind slipped away, revealing uncertainty and discomfort. “Why are you so upset?”
“If I cannot run this household properly, there is no purpose for me here.”
He didn’t speak or move.
“I-I have been trained how to manage the daily operations of a grand home.” I spoke slowly, trying to gain control of my frustration. “And part of that is the social structure that keeps things running smoothly.”
He was quiet for a moment and then he said, “Collins, Davis, and Everett were very young when—when my mother went away and since then, we have not adhered to society’s expectations.”
“I understand.” I let out a breath. “But I cannot live in a home without rules and order. I must insist that you let me run this household the way I see fit. It is my duty—and purpose.”
He pressed his lips together but nodded. “I will speak to my brothers and see that they follow your instructions.”
“And what of you?”
He frowned. “What about me?”
“The duke must lead by example. You have a duty, as well. Even if you don’t like society, you cannot hide from it forever. How will your brothers make proper matches if they cannot interact with genteel women?”
He glanced away from me, and with his guard down, I finally saw the depth of emotions within him. Why did he dislike society so much? Or was it the idea of his brothers marrying that did not appeal to him?
“I would like to do my job,” I said, taking a tentative step closer to him, needing him to know I was serious.
Ames returned his gaze to me, apprehension in his face as his shoulders stiffened from my nearness. “What do you propose?” His voice was low, gravelly.
“Your Aunt Eliza came for a visit today—”
He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, clearly annoyed at hearing the name.
“She is a lovely woman,” I insisted. “She was far more helpful than—” I paused.
“Than what?” he asked, crossing his arms again.
“Than you,” I said boldly, putting my hands on my hips. “She gave me a tour and helped me hire the necessary staff to get the castle up and running. She’s been far more welcoming than anyone else at Pickering Castle.”
“What does Aunt Eliza have to do with your duties as the Duchess of Severton?”
I took a deep breath. “She helped me devise a plan to return Pickering Castle and Ravenscar to their former glory. It won’t happen overnight, but we can make a good start of it.”
He frowned again, and it was a forbidding look, his scar tightening. “I have a feeling I’m not going to like this plan.”
“I have a feeling you’re going to hate it. But I believe this fully conforms to my duties as the Duchess of Severton, so I need your approval.”
He exhaled, but his voice was even when he asked, “What do you have in mind?”
“I want to host a summer house party—”
“Absolutely not!”
“It will start the first week of July,” I continued.
“I plan to invite several of my friends who don’t plan to return to America this summer—and their chaperones, of course.
It will give your brothers the opportunity to practice flirting and dancing and courting and dressing properly.
I have several friends already in mind.”
“It’s out of the question—”
“This is now my home.” My voice sounded calm, even though I didn’t feel it inside.
I had been at Pickering Castle for less than twenty-four hours.
It did not feel like my home, and I did not feel like I had the authority to make demands.
But if I didn’t set the standards now, it would be harder to set them later.
“I will insist. And at the end of the visit, we will host a ball. Aunt Eliza said there is an annual festival in the beginning of July, but that it has died out somewhat over the years. She’d like to resurrect it while our guests are here. ”
As I spoke, his eyes narrowed.
“We must bring joy back to Ravenscar,” I said, “and return a sense of hope for the future.” I crossed my arms and planted my feet. “I desire your agreement, but I do not require it.”
He stared at me and I stared back. Though I appeared confident, I was trembling uncontrollably.
But I had one more point to make—one that Aunt Eliza said Ames could not deny.
“If, by some miracle, your brothers make matches with any of my American friends, the dowries they would bring into this family would ensure prosperity and wealth for the Welbys for generations to come. Anything you’ve dreamed of doing or investing in would be within reach.
It would be foolish not to invite them.”
Aunt Eliza had been right, because the moment Ames saw the truth, his entire demeanor shifted.
“Even if they don’t make matches,” I added quickly, “they will gain a wealth of experience as they pursue whomever they set their hearts on.”
Ames slowly lowered his arms and let out a sigh. “How will we get the castle finished in time?”
“We won’t be able to get everything done, but if we hire as many laborers as possible, I believe we can get enough repaired to be respectable. Money isn’t the issue.”
“I can get the labor force here. There are several men looking for more work since s—” He paused, as if he’d almost said something he shouldn’t. Then with a gruff voice he said, “Do as you wish. But I will not go above and beyond my duties to assist in this—debacle.”
My lips lifted in a smile—I couldn’t help it. “It won’t be a debacle. It will be a great triumph. Just you wait and see.”
“You might have a hard time convincing my brothers—”
“I doubt it.” My smile widened. “I think they will be just fine with the plans.”
“They have few social skills.”
“I will teach them everything they need to know from courting to dancing to flirting.”
He didn’t look convinced. “We shall see.”
“We shall see.” My voice softened as I teased him. “And it will be the first of many times you’ll have to admit to me that you were wrong, Ames Welby.”
The gentlest smile tilted his lips, but then he grew serious again.
“You must tread carefully, Lily. Despite what you think, there is only so much good you can do for Pickering Castle and Ravenscar. It took decades for them to fall so far from grace. It will take a miracle to return this place to the way it once was.”
There was a warning in his voice, though I couldn’t understand what it might mean.
So instead of trying to discern what he was warning me about, I decided to focus on what I could do to help Pickering Castle and its inhabitants.
It wouldn’t be easy, but I was ready for the challenge.
Starting with the Welby brothers.