Chapter 15
There was no stopping Nancy now.
From the moment she got up to the moment that she went to sleep, she was working for the Duke of Windbourne, her darling husband.
She surveyed his schedule every day. She made certain that his speeches were all in line. She organized the house, and she already had Eileen, Victoria, and Pansy moving to the duke’s primary estate.
That was going to be the next great task. The ducal great house that had been in the family since the time of Elizabeth I was massive, and apparently it was falling to rack and ruin over the neglect of the last twenty years.
The girls would have it to rights in no time, and Eileen was going to go down to the country and lead the expedition, so to speak, soon.
If she was honest, she was exhausted. She spent her nights in the arms of her husband, and she wouldn’t trade that for anything.
But she got up before dawn, took care of her morning ablutions, drank coffee, and had her quick note-taking time to scribble out what she was going to do to make certain that every day would be a success.
She went for a quick walk in Rotten Row, in one of the new and expensive gowns Pierce had insisted on purchasing for her, to show herself because she had quickly realized it was important for a duchess to be seen if she was going to have any sort of power.
She then spent her mornings calling upon the right people, not necessarily people she liked, but people she knew that her husband might need.
And then she had a few minutes’ time for all the ladies that had become her friends, because those friendships were extremely important and she dearly loved that they cared about her.
And truthfully, their husbands meant the world to her husband, and so they were vital.
Then she spent the rest of her day organizing the house and the new museum that she had convinced Pierce to open. It was going to be in the West End, a beautiful freestanding building full of the collections of his father.
The paintings that she had adored so much were going to be hung in four different rooms. Statues would be in a long gallery. Antique arms would be in a parallel hall.
Yes, it was going to be the triumph of her endeavors. And if the estates were anything like this town house, several museums would be able to be opened in the great cities of the north and midlands.
She loved the idea of bringing such unique items to the people rather than locking them up in little rooms that no one could see.
But it also meant that she was burning the candle at both ends. Frankly, it was taking a toll, but she didn’t mind. Truly! This was what she was meant to do. She would make her husband proud. She would prove that his choice was the right one by picking her when he could have picked anyone else.
She passed her mother’s room and heard her call out, “My darling, do come in.”
Nancy hesitated. Of course she wanted to see her mother, but she had a full day. Still, she could not stop herself.
So she went into her mother’s chamber and noted that her mother was sitting by the window making notes in her diary.
A smile tilted Nancy’s lips as her heart swelled.
“What are you doing, Mama?” she ventured.
“I’ve been reading poetry and looking out at the little garden below and wondering when the flowers were going to drop their petals to the ground. And soon it shall all begin,” her mother said. “The great journey of life and death from flowers to earth and then flowers again.”
“Mama,” she said, “you are very fantastical this morning.”
Her mother nodded. “It’s my age, my dear, and my recent illness. It makes me see the world differently.”
Her silver hair had turned almost white, and it was underneath a light mob cap.
Her mother’s beautiful soft dove-gray gown was perhaps subdued, but it was the perfect thing for her.
And now her figure had filled out quite a bit because she was happily eating the scones and cream that the cook provided, as well as the rich soups full of hearty broth that were her main meals every day.
Her mother went on a daily walk too with one of the ladies’ maids. It was wonderful seeing her mother bloom.
“Come, my dear. Take my hand.”
And Nancy did.
“I’m worried about you.”
“Me, Mama?” she yelped, shocked her mother would say such thing. “How could you possibly be worried about me?”
Her mother bit her lower lip, hesitant, but then she squared her slight shoulders and said, “You are coming and going so intensely and you’re beginning to look a little…”
“What?” she asked.
“Harried.”
“Harried, Mama?” she repeated, wanting to rebel against such a claim. “No, I am simply driven. I have so much good fortune before me that it would be a sin and a waste if I did not use it all.”
Her mother nodded, her eyes gentle and yet there was an intensity there. “Yes, my dear, but you must enjoy it.”
“I do enjoy it, Mama.” She laughed. “I enjoy being the very best that I can possibly be.”
Her mother nodded again, sighing slightly. “I see. And your husband. Is he pleased?”
“I think he is very pleased.”
“Doesn’t he miss you at all?”
“Miss me?” she exclaimed, drawing her hand back. “He sees me every day.”
“Across crowded rooms,” her mother said.
“Does he seem unhappy?” she blurted, fear suddenly stabbing at her heart.
Her mother tsked, then assured, “No, of course not. He doesn’t seem unhappy at all. He visits me every day, you know, at teatime, and we have a long discussion about poetry.”
“You do?” she asked, blinking. How had she not known?
“Of course,” her mother said.
“He likes to discuss poetry with you, Mama?”
Her mother beamed. “Yes, he’s a good boy, and he makes me very happy.
Just as you do, my dear,” her mother continued, her voice rich with emotion.
“But I should like to see you a little bit more. I know how very busy you are, but I thought when I came to this house that you and I might spend a bit more time together.”
“Of course, Mama. Of course,” she rushed. “It’s just that I can’t slow down at present. I need to keep going so that he sees how skilled I am.”
Her mother took her hand again and squeezed it. “My dear,” she said softly, “he already knows how talented you are.”
“Ah, my favorite ladies,” her husband exclaimed as he came through the door carrying flowers. “These are for you, my dear Mama,” he said.
And he placed a vase of pink roses upon the little table before his mother-in-law.
“How perfect,” Nancy’s mother gushed. “Though they are perhaps a bit girlish for me.”
“I see that you are young at heart,” Pierce said, “and I wish the flowers to reflect that.”
“Oh, get on with you,” Nancy’s mother said, batting playfully at the duke’s hand.
Nancy beamed at her husband. He was lovely beyond all things.
“Would you come out for a ride with me today?” he asked, turning to Nancy.
“A ride?” she said, her mouth drying as she felt the rise of her heartbeat. She did not wish to tell him no, but… “I am quite busy. I have many appointments.”
“Of course, my clever wife is needed by all,” he said generously.
Nancy beamed anew. He was seeing how valuable and how essential she was.
And then she spotted her mother’s frown.
“Of course I’ll ride with you,” she said suddenly. Though she had no idea how she was going to make it all fit.
“Come then,” he said, holding his hand out to her, his signet ring winking in the morning light. “We shall have our daily discussion later, won’t we, Mama?” he asked.
“Of course we shall,” her mama said.
He led Nancy down the hall and then he paused. “You’re not dressed for riding.”
She cleared her throat. “I have a great deal to do.”
“But I would like to take you out to the stables today and show you the Arabians. It’s the one thing I haven’t gotten to do that I really would like to.”
“Oh, out to the stables,” she said softly. “I don’t know if I can,” she rushed. “You see, I’m organizing the museum today and then…”
He took her hands in his. “I wouldn’t get in the way of your work for anything, my love,” he said. “You are too good at it, and I don’t wish to cause you distress. Perhaps I can come with you.”
Her heart leapt at how much he approved of her.
“You want to come with me while I do my work today?” She pursed her lips. “I’m paying calls on several ladies that I don’t think you will enjoy.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” he asked.
“No, I just don’t wish to be a burden upon you,” she said.
“You? A burden?” he queried, shocked. “How could you possibly be a burden?”
And as they passed a ticking clock, she wondered, because she did feel like a burden. Perhaps she shouldn’t, but she feared that she was. It made no logical sense. He’d never treated her thus. But the feeling was old and deep, like black muck at the bottom of a well. She shoved it aside.
She all but bounced with relief beside him. He adored her as she did him. Her work was paying off. “If you’d like to come with me, then surely you should.”
He extended his arm to her, his long coat swaying about them. “Marvelous,” he said. “Lead on.”
And they whisked outside, down to the pavement, passing the beautiful houses that had become so popular with the reestablishment of the Greek style. She began to walk quickly.
“Are we in a hurry?” he asked.
“Oh, yes,” she said. “I have a whole list of people to see.”
“A list,” he said.
“Don’t you have lists?”
He laughed. “In my head.”
“How ever do you manage?” she teased, loving the feel of his big form beside her. “How ever did you manage without me?” she exclaimed.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” he replied, giving her an indulgent smile, but her heart skipped at that because the truth was that he had been quite successful without her, and that made her nervous. She had to prove herself necessary.
And as they stopped before the house that she had planned to visit, he let out a groan. “Not the Applethwaites,” he stated.
“You don’t have to come,” she reminded.
“Right,” he sighed. “I told you I would. So, into the breach and all that.”