Dark Passions

14.

The household was in a fever pitch of last minute preparations for the imminent arrival of Her Grace, Eleanor Katherine Shepherd, the Duchess of Gracewood. The maids spun in every direction, dusting and polishing every surface, setting out garden-fresh pots of flowers, and letting fresh air into the suite of rooms she would be staying in. The rain had cleared away, leaving the air damp and breezy. Sunlight streamed through the mullioned windows, making the rich patina of the furniture gleam.

Kate paced anxiously in the entrance foyer, stopping every few feet to peer at the tiny watch she had pinned to her bodice. Derek lounged against the doorframe, his arms casually crossed. "Kate, you are making me dizzy," he finally said, as she made her tenth pass by him on her circuitous route. "Everything is fine - relax."

"Of course, I know it is, but still..." Kate fretted, peering out the door, looking for any sign of the carriage.

Meredith had elected to wait in the classroom with the twins, telling Derek it was better for him to talk to his mother alone first. Besides, the boys were wound up like springs, waiting for their grandmother to arrive. Keeping them occupied would stop her mind from worrying about what was going to happen.

Just when Derek thought Kate would explode from nerves, he noticed the carriage at the foot of the drive. The ornate coach, pulled by four magnificent horses, rounded the curve and stopped at the base of the wide stairway leading to the front entrance. The footmen leaped from the back of the coach, putting down a step outside the door, and then sweeping the door open.

Kate and Derek hurried down the steps, as their mother stepped out of the coach, and Derek took her hand to steady her as she descended. She held her cheek up for his kiss. "Dear boy, so good to see you. What a beastly journey that was in that terrible rain - I was worried we would get mired down somewhere." She shuddered delicately. Her soft white hair was swept up in a loose knot beneath a tiny hat, and she wore a simple, but elegantly cut travel ensemble, a froth of lace at her neck. Her bright blue eyes, very much like Derek's, gazed warmly at her only son.

"I am glad you made it, Your Grace," he told her, kissing her soft cheek. Her familiar scent of roses and lilies wafted up to him.

Then she held her hands out to Kate, and embraced her. "Kate, my dear, you look well. Country life agrees with you." She looked around. "And where are my grandsons?"

"They are with Meredith," Kate answered. "She will bring them down once you are refreshed from the journey."

"Oh, yes, the governess. How is she doing with them?"

"Most excellent, however..."

"Mother, there is something I need to discuss with you before we do anything else," Derek spoke up, determined to make it clear that Meredith was not just the governess now.

"Yes, indeed," Eleanor said, patting his hand. "We have much to discuss, you and I." Her fingers were light and slender, the many rings she wore winking in the bright sunlight.

Derek looked at her in confusion. She could not know about Meredith. He exchanged a glance with Kate, who shook her head silently. They headed inside, as the footmen scurried to unload the trunks and baggage from the second coach that pulled up. He glanced over his shoulder at them. Judging from the small mountain of luggage, his mother was planning to stay awhile.

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They settled into the solarium, looking out onto the lush gardens, now freshly washed and vibrant after the rain. The butler had set up the table with tea and scones, honey and butter. Eleanor accepted the cup gratefully from Kate, and sipped it carefully. "Ah, much better," she said happily. "The tea at some the inns is quite unacceptable."