The Homecoming Read Free Page A

with the running of the house. Now, I must go to Lizzie.”
    “I’m right glad you are still to be with us, miss.”
    “Oh, you will not lose me, Barry. Do not tell anyone my real identity.”
    Barry stood and watched her as she crossed the lawn. Then he began to whistle cheerfully as he returned to his work.
    The Duke of Severnshire’s secretary, Mr. Peter Bond, stood respectfully to attention beside his master’s desk three days later while the duke mused over several names he had written down. Peter was a tall, thin, awkward man who came from a good but impoverished family. He had not been able to believe his luck when he obtained the post as secretary to the duke only a year ago, the previous secretary having left to take holy orders. But sometimes he felt it was like working for a machine. The duke never seemed aware of him as a person.
    “There are two here I might begin with,” said the duke. “Lady Verity and Miss Celia Charter. We will write and invite the young ladies and their parents for a visit. Well, Lady Verity is past the first blush of youth, but the family is good, as is her dowry. Miss Celia Charter is young but that has the advantage that she can be schooled in our ways. As to the others, the Chumleys, and…What is it, Palk?”
    His butler had entered. “A Miss Trumble is called, Your Grace. She is only governess to the Beverleys, so I told her you would not be available.”
    To Peter’s surprise, the duke said, “On the contrary, Palk, I am always available when Miss Trumble calls. Show her up. That will be all, Mr. Bond.”
    Peter bowed and made his way out, but was longing to stay and see what this governess had to say to his master.
    “Aunt Letitia,” said the duke, rising. “Pray be seated. Tea, some wine?”
    “Tea, I think,” said Miss Trumble, drawing off her gloves. The duke rang the bell and ordered tea. They talked of general matters until the tea was served and the servants had retired.
    “How go your plans to wed?” asked Miss Trumble.
    “I have selected two initially to see how they go on. Lady Verity and Miss Celia Charter.”
    Miss Trumble searched in the files of her capacious memory. “Lady Verity is not yet wed, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Hernshire; matches you, Gervase, in pride and arrogance. Well enough in looks, as you probably know.”
    “I have never met either lady.”
    “You amaze me! Did you not see them at a Season?”
    “I do not visit the Season. I have spent many years travelling.”
    “Miss Celia Charter made her first come-out this year. She is fair and flighty.”
    “From my researches I gather she has a good dowry.”
    “And what is that to you, rich as you are?”
    “It saves me from the perils of being trapped by a fortune-hunter. I do not want to be married for my money.”
    “Really, Gervase! And yet you cold-bloodedly select two ladies because you know they are comfortably endowered!”
    “May I remind you, Aunt, you are not
my
governess.”
    “And more’s the pity. I would have schooled you better.”
    “As you schooled Lizzie? I should be sitting in drawing-rooms by this time making impertinent remarks to my betters.”
    “Lizzie probably does not see you as her better, but she is suitably contrite. I wish you to invite Lady Beverley and Lizzie tomorrow to take tea.”
    “This is ridiculous. Oh, very well.” He rang the bell and asked the footman who answered it to find his secretary. Peter came in and stood humbly to attention.
    “Mr. Bond, be so good as to send a footman to Brookfield House directly inviting Lady Beverley and Miss Lizzie Beverley to tea on the morrow at four o’clock.”
    “Very good, Your Grace.”
    Peter bowed low and went out.
    “I hope that young man eats enough,” said Miss Trumble sharply. “And he does not look happy.”
    “He does his job well, Aunt, so what is it to me if he is unhappy or not?”
    “Are you never moved by ordinary human kindness, Gervase?”
    “I pay my servants well