[1.5] The Duchess of Kent and Strathearn | B. Bridgerton

Chapter 15

The Monarchy In Crisis

Whitehaven Castle, Cumberland

The Duchess of Kent and Strathearn woke up earlier than her husband. Birds were singing outside the windows while there was a deadly silence inside the castle. The only alive sound in the chambers were the light snores of the Duke of Kent and Strathearn, who didn't seem to be wanting to wake up any time soon. He looked peaceful, and she couldn't help but admire him. The man she loved so dearly.

"Good mor—"

Lilia immediately stopped talking when she saw the Duchess laying in bed with her index finger on her lips, motioning her to be quiet.

"Let him sleep for a while longer," Charlotte whispered to them as she stood up from the bed and approached her ladies. "Let's talk outside."

"Your Royal Highness... Have you figured out the reason why His Royal Highness requested your presence in London so suddenly?" Cora asked curiously as they walked out of the room and Lilia closed the doors.

"Honestly? No," she replied. "I only hope it is not an unfortunate situation."

"What's the worst that could happen?" Lilia wondered. "Could it be about the war in America?"

"I do not think so, Sister," Cora shook her head.

"A family member's funeral, maybe?" The Duchess suggested. "After all, we have many family members. But, oh, I truly hope it is not that."

"Or about His Majesty's unfortunate condition?" Lilia asked, and Cora rolled her eyes, finding her suggestion a bit inappropriate because of how delicate is the matter.

"I do not think so," Charlotte said sincerely. For once, she didn't feel affected by the thought of her father's condition. "I do not think my brother would inform me of my father's state until I was back. It hasn't changed in years."

"Understandable, Ma'am," Cora nodded with a sad smile.

"Alright. Very well," Lilia tried to light up the mood and change the subject, all that with a wide smile on her face. "Today is your nice and nephew's christening. Do you have a particular dress you would like to wear?"

"I have no specific dress in mind, Lilia," a small smirk graced her face. "But I suggest you do?"

"The purple dress with cream details, Ma'am," she admitted. "No jewelry in case the children want to play with it, but I find it necessary you wear the hat with purple flowers."

"The hat with scabiosas and candytuft?" Cora questioned her sister. "Didn't those flowers wither?"

"Yes. They unfortunately did while we were in Scotland," Lilia nodded and smiled innocently. "But since I had guessed Her Royal Highness had no preference on which dress she would wear... I changed the hat's flowers in case she did not change her mind."

"Oh," the Duchess raised her eyebrows in amusement. "You have quite the motivation and taste for my clothing, Lilia."

"Oh, Ma'am. I will always want you to be the most beautiful woman in the room," Lilia said sincerely, and sighed contently. "Although no matter what you wear, you always look pleasant."