Page 40 of The Duchess’ Second Chance

Amanda walked across the room, feeling the swish of the skirt against her ankles. “It’s good,” she said.

“You aren’t at risk of tripping on it?”

“No, definitely not.”

“And it’s a perfectly decent length,” the modiste said. “All right. Step behind the screen and take it off, and then bring it back to me and I’ll finish the alterations. I’ll have it ready for you by tomorrow and send it back over so you can try it on again and make sure you don’t want any further changes before the ball.”

Amanda nodded and turned so that Mrs. Corian could loosen the gown’s fastenings before she went behind the screen. Once she had gone out of sight, she took off the gown. Mrs. Corian’s hand reached around with her day dress, which Amanda accepted and stepped back into. She emerged and turned once more so the modiste could lace her in properly.

Just as the lacing was finishing up, the door burst open again.

Rose came charging into the room, squealing with delight. Amanda barely had time to register the girl’s presence before she saw what was coming behind her—a large black dog, tongue hanging out of his mouth and mud on his paws.

“Hermes!” she groaned.

Rose laughed energetically as the dog galloped into the room. “He wanted to come in, Amanda! I couldn’t tell him no! He’s been such a good boy lately. And besides, no one will ever let me go out to him, so letting him in was the only way to play with him!”

“Rose, you know better than to do that,” Amanda said, putting herself between Mrs. Corian and the dog. “You know that Hermes is an outdoor sort of dog. Even in the rain, he stays in the stable.”

“I know, but I wanted to play with him and no one would take me.” There was a mulish tone to Rose’s voice. “I asked everybody, you know. I asked very nicely, but no one would agree. You should be happy. At least I didn’t go out by myself.”

Mrs. Corian’s eyes were wide with fear. “I…forgive me, Your Grace…our work is done, and I don’t…” Her eyes were fixed on Hermes. She gathered up her things, skirted around Amanda, and took off in the direction of the door.

Rose chuckled. “I think she’s afraid of dogs.”

“You frightened her, Rose,” Amanda said, frowning. “That wasn’t kind. And you know you’re not supposed to bring the dog in here in the first place.”

“I didn’t know she would be frightened,” Rose protested.

“Well, you know that his paws are dirty. Even if she hadn’t been timid about meeting him, you might have caused trouble by bringing a messy animal in here. Mrs. Corian was trying to prepare my gown.”

“She was taking such a very long time.” Rose let out a sigh. “I just got tired of waiting.”

“I understand that.”

“You seem angry about it.”

“Not angry.” Amanda went to the window seat and sat down. She patted the space beside her. After a moment’s hesitation, Rose came and sat beside her.

Hermes trotted over as well and presented his big head for pats. Amanda smiled. “He is a very good dog.”

“Yes, he is! Can you blame me for wanting to spend time with him?”

“Not a bit,” Amanda assured her. “But I need you to try to understand, Rose, that our lives have changed. We’re no longer the forgotten members of my father’s household, free to do whatever we wish all the time. I am a duchess now, and you are a member of the duke’s household as well, and that means there are different expectations on the two of us than there have been in the past. We must learn patience. We must be kind to the people who are working to serve us—that means Mrs. Linden as well,” she added. “You need to be kind to her, because she is doing her best for you.”

“She just likes to order me around.”

“You know that isn’t true, Rose. She won’t let you go outside on your own because it isn’t safe to do so, not because she likes to give you orders. You need to mind her. And when Mrs. Corian comes to help us with our clothing, we must be kind to her, because she is a good woman who is working hard for us. That’s the way members of a noble household need to behave, and that’s who you are now.”

Rose sighed. “It sounds like an awful lot of work.”

“There are times when it will be just that,” Amanda agreed. “But it isn’t more work than you and I can manage, is it? We’ve been through harder things than a few dress fittings, and we’ve always stood by one another. This is just our next challenge. And the good thing is that we get to live in this beautiful house while we do it. We get to eat the fine food Jean prepares for us, and we’re going to be able to play with Hermes. He’s a lovely dog, by the way.”

Rose beamed as if he was her own. “Isn’t he?”

“He is. But you must remember what I’m telling you. There are ways in which you and I are expected to behave now. Do you think you can do it?”

Rose lifted her chin. “I can,” she said. “You know that I would do anything for you, Amanda.