A Regency Lord's Command. Anne Herries

‘Do you have plans for this morning?’

      ‘I was thinking of riding into Thaxted to visit someone. Did you wish for the carriage? If you are going visiting, I could accompany you tomorrow.’

      ‘I know very few of your friends,’ Lucinda said. ‘I have not felt able to visit, though I believe one or two of your neighbours have called. I was unfortunately out at

      the time—but perhaps tomorrow we could go visiting together?’

      ‘Yes, we shall do so. I was unaware that you had not troubled to make yourself at home to our friends.’

      ‘It…was remiss of me. I must settle on a day when I am always here,’ Lucinda replied, refusing to meet his eyes. ‘I have visited Jane Lanchester and she has been here on three occasions.’

      ‘That is all very well, but you must be aware of your position, Lucinda. As my duchess you are expected to keep a certain standard. You should be at home on at least one day a week and visit friends on another—and you must concern yourself with what is going on in the district. We hold various functions for the villagers during the year and my mother enjoyed opening the church fête. I believe the vicar used to call once a month to tell her what was needed for the poor of the locality.’

      ‘Forgive me. I did not know what was expected. You did not mention my duties, Avonlea.’

      He looked at her for a moment in silence, then his expression softened. ‘No, I have not discussed these things as I ought and that was remiss of me. I have neglected my duty towards you, Lucinda. I beg your pardon. My visit this morning has been arranged for a while, but tomorrow I shall take you visiting—and this evening we shall discuss some of the things that are expected from the duchess. I shall give you my mother’s diaries. They will help you, I dare say.’

      ‘Yes, thank you,’ Lucinda replied. ‘I shall not keep you, Avonlea. I have things to do.’

      He was standing very close to her, his eyes curiously intent as he looked down at her. His hand reached out and he touched her cheek, stroking his fingers down to her mouth, smoothing his thumb over the softness of her bottom lip. She trembled inwardly, thinking he might kiss her and wanting it, longing for the smile that would tell her the man she loved was back, but it did not happen.

      ‘You are very beautiful, Lucinda.’

      ‘Thank you. I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed you, Justin.’

      ‘Nonsense. I am at fault. I am thoughtless and too demanding. There is plenty of time for you to learn your duties.’

      He nodded to her and strode away. As soon as she was certain he had left, Lucinda ran upstairs and fetched her cloak. She had not been able to visit her daughter since her husband’s return. Angela would be upset and she must make the most of what time she had.

      It was mid-afternoon when Lucinda left the cottage and began to walk home as fast as she could. Her daughter had wept when she saw her, clinging to her all day. Leaving her was very hard and Lucinda had delayed until the last moment, knowing that she would not have time to visit the next day.

      ‘Stay with me,’ Angela begged her. ‘Do not leave me, Mama. I promise to be good if you take me with you.’

      ‘I cannot take you yet,’ Lucinda said and kissed her, putting her into her nurse’s arms. ‘Be a good girl and I shall come as often as I can.’

      ‘Angela is always good,’ Nanny said. ‘She is learning her numbers and her letters—and to speak as she ought. She will do well enough when you have gone, Lucinda.’

      Lucinda knew that her friend spoke wisely. Children always clung to their mothers. Had she been able to have her at Avonlea she could not have spent more than an hour or so with her each day, for she had many duties. The child must learn to be a young lady and with that came discipline. It was because she had to leave her in the cottage that she felt so guilty, she supposed, but there was nothing more she could do for the moment. She was finding it hard enough to do all the things that Justin seemed to expect of her.

      Justin ought to have known when he asked her to marry him that she would not be accustomed to so many servants or the way things should be run in such a large house. If he wanted her to behave as his mother had, he should have married someone who had been taught these things—or at least shown her what to do and given her time to learn.

      ‘We meet again, Duchess.’

      ‘Lord Lanchester…’ Lucinda laughed as she jumped. ‘You startled me. I was lost in thought and did not see you there. I was in a hurry to get home for tea.’

      ‘If you do not mind, I shall walk with you,’ he said. ‘I was hoping to catch Avonlea for a few minutes.’

      ‘You must take tea with us,’ Lucinda said. ‘You and Jane will come to the ball, I hope?’

      ‘I should not miss it for the world,’ he said and smiled at her. ‘You will save the first waltz for me, Duchess?’

      ‘Yes, of course. I should like it if you would call me Lucinda, sir.’

      ‘I am honoured to be your friend,’ he replied and was rewarded by her shy smile. ‘Jane is helping with the village fête next month. Your ball will be over by then and she thought you might like to open the occasion for them. I did it last year and your husband the year previously.’

      ‘Oh, yes, that would be pleasant. Perhaps Jane will tell me what I should say?’

      ‘You need only say how happy you are to be there and that you wish everyone a good afternoon,’ he said. ‘You might make a little presentation of some small gifts for the children—sweets or tin whistles, something of the sort.’

      ‘Yes, I believe Mama did something of the kind when we had a fête for the church in our gardens,’ Lucinda said and laughed. ‘I remember how good it was to be given such treats when I was a child.’

      ‘You are still young and innocent yourself,’ her companion said. ‘You deserve all the treats I am sure Avonlea gives you.’

      ‘Yes, perhaps,’ she said, but turned away and did not meet his look. They had left the wood behind and were walking on Avonlea land now. Hearing hoofbeats behind them, she glanced round and saw that her husband was riding towards them, having come from the direction of the park. ‘Here he is now…’

      ‘Ah, yes, just in time for tea as you expected,’ Andrew said and stopped walking as Justin pulled his horse to a halt and looked down at them. ‘Justin, I was on my way to see you when I met your enchanting duchess, who has kindly invited me to tea.’

      ‘Yes, of course, good to see you,’ Justin said and dismounted, leading his horse as he walked beside them. ‘Lucinda, my love, you look beautiful. Walking in the fresh air suits you. I must try it myself.’

      ‘Thank you.’ Lucinda glanced at him. His eyes were intent, not angry but thoughtful and certainly not remote. ‘We were speaking of the fête next month, after the ball has taken place. Jane wondered if I might open it and I have said I will. I trust that pleases you, Avonlea?’

      ‘Jane thought everyone would like to get a better look at your duchess,’ Andrew said and grinned. ‘You’ve kept her pretty close, Justin—and the locals want their share of her. I’ve told her all she needs to do is smile and look pretty—and perhaps bribe the children with some sweets.’

      ‘Oh…’ Lucinda laughed softly. ‘That is not quite what you said, sir. I believe I can find something appropriate to say that may please.’

      ‘I am certain of it, Lucinda.’

      His smile was so warm that she blushed.

      ‘I dare say Lucinda will grow accustomed to these things in time. I shall give her some pointers once she decides to take up her duties.’

      ‘Oh, no one expects too much just yet, old fellow,’ Andrew said. ‘You are hardly wed and with Lucinda being called to the bedside of