The Inconvenient Duchess

thing.
    ‘Yes, I am,’ she continued. ‘When people are forced to do menial tasks for an ungrateful master, they find ways to take back some of their own. They steal; they shirk their duties; they skim from the budget, short-change the grocer and water the wine. I know that your estate must be profitable and can afford a significant increase in the household budget. At the moment, your servants are robbing you blind and the house is a shambles.’
    He stared up at her. ‘Plain speaking, madam.’
    ‘I speak the truth. The housekeeper is gone because she bought inferior cuts of meat, doctored the books and kept the difference. The staff is in turmoil, but at least dinner will be edible. A rise in pay will smooth the ruffled feathers below stairs, prove that I have the ear of my husband in these matters, and allow me to get the house in order.’
    ‘And what of Wilkins?’
    Wilkins’s lower lip twitched, which was the closest she’d seen to a butler cringing in terror.
    ‘If he can shake himself of the need to pilfer the cellars, he is welcome to return to his post.’
    ‘Wilkins, does this meet with your satisfaction?’
    ‘Yes, your Grace.’
    ‘Very well, then. And, before you go, see to the money that her Grace suggested. Five per cent.’
    She gave a covert, palm-raised gesture.
    He glanced at her. ‘Ten per cent, all around. And let it be known that her Grace is to thank for the change in situation.’
    ‘Yes, sir.’ He evaporated, leaving them alone.
    ‘Well, if that will be all, your Grace…’ She made to follow the butler out of the door.
    ‘No, it will not.’
    She turned back, feeling the dread creeping down her back.
    His expression was impassive. ‘You seem to have been busy, these last two weeks.’
    ‘Well, yes. But I saw that there was much that needed doing.’
    ‘And your situation here, does it meet with your satisfaction?’
    His eyes were cold and grey and staring into her.
    ‘My situation?’
    ‘When we spoke before I left for London, you seemed somewhat less than happy with our marriage. You expressed a desire to return home. I take it this is no longer the case.’
    She curtsied before him and dropped her eyes to the ground. ‘It was a childish and hysterical fit of nerves, your Grace. It will not be repeated. You honour me by marrying me and I am grateful and intend to return that honour as a faithful and submissive wife.’
    She thought for a moment that she heard a derisive snort at the last words, but when she looked up his face was as stern as ever.
    ‘Very well. And I notice, while I was gone, that you felt free to spend my money with abandon.’
    Was he as clutch-pursed as his mother? She dropped her eyes to the ground again. ‘You left no specific instructions of how I was to go on. I thought it best to take control of the household as quickly as possible. I am sorry if the expenditures were more than you intended.’
    ‘In the future, please let me see any receipts over a hundred pounds, but, if you continue the way you have begun, I see no reason not to accede to your judgment in household matters.’
    ‘Thank you, your Grace. And now, if you’ll excuse me?’
    ‘Of course.’
    She turned and fled, but as she reached the door he said softly, ‘Miranda.’
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘Your hair.’
    Her hand flew to the forgotten curls at her ears.
    ‘It is most becoming.’
    Despite herself, she smiled. ‘Thank you, your Grace.’ And she fled to the safety of her room.
    Most curious, she thought. Most curious indeed. Not a word of explanation as to where he’d been or what he’d been doing. He had said London, but that was all. And she’d lacked the nerve to ask. When she’d arrived, he’d claimed to be a rake. Perhaps there was a demi-rep waiting in a rented house somewhere, wearing silk and jewels and smiling in satisfaction at two weeks spent with Miranda’s solemn husband.
    While she’d been working her back to near breaking, he’d no doubt been enjoying the pleasures of the city and thinking himself well away from this hated house and its new encumbrance. She pushed against the door to her room and it resisted.
    ‘Oh, your Grace, just a moment, let me clear your things out from in front of the door.’
    Her things? She peeked her head around the crack in the door, and started in surprise.
    ‘Isn’t it wonderful? His Grace found your trunks. They were not lost after all. And so many beautiful things you have,ma’am. You’ll no doubt want to be