Talk of the Ton | S. Basset DoH

The Tea and The Fraud

The Tea and The Fraud

Swish - Part III

Coming back to Clyvedon Castle, I enter to see the staff moving around furniture under the watchful eye of my husband. "What is all this?" I ask, narrowly avoiding a work desk. "Simon?" At this I gain his attention. "Is everything well, Love?"

"Ah, Elena, yes," he replies, closing his books and greeting me with a kiss to the cheek. "I'm simply setting up work in the east wing."

"Alright, is there anything I might do to help?" Before he can answer a crash is heard.

"Careful!" He shouts, then turns back to me. "Thank you, Love, but it is all handled. You'll have to excuse me." He bends down again, this time to give me a proper kiss. "I love you." With that he leaves, off to finish whatever it is he's doing.

My cheeks warm lightly, still not used to the affection in public. I make my way down the corridor, intent on heading to the library, when, instead, I find Mrs. Colson. "Your Grace," she says warmly, swiftly moving.

I make a last second decision, and quickly turn. "Mrs. Colson," I call out. She pauses in her steps and turns to face me. "Might you join me for tea?"

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"I could not think you enough, for all the guidance and patience you've given me," I say with a small smile on my face. "While my mother may have taught me well, I am still new and sill learning. You have been such a gracious teacher, and if it's not too much, friend."

"Well, it is also pleasure to have a duchess that is kind and easy to collaborate with." She takes a sip o her tea and a smiles.

I take a deep breath before I start speaking, my nerves creeping up. "The truth as to why I asked you to tea..." I pick up my saucer and tea cup taking a small sip, and swallowing. "I fear the duke might not be entirely at ease here at Clyvedon, which is of course no reflection of you or an of your staff."

"No. I— I quite understand." Relief floods my face. "Master Simon..." she pauses. "Begging your pardon. His Grace..." she take moment to think before continuing. "His childhood was not always easy. After the death of the late duchess, the duke lived almost exclusively in London."

I interrupted before she can continue. "Do you mean to say that Simon grew up here on his own?" I ask, appalled at the actions of the late duke.

"Oh!" She exclaims. "We did out best to take care of him," she leant forward, placing a hand over mine, almost in a beseeching way. As is pleading for me to understand. "To mind him as his mother would have wanted."

"Of course you did," I respond, warmth in my tone, grabbing her hand in kind. "I do not doubt it." I think for moment before continuing. "Simon told me that his parents had strained marriage. He does not remember, but from what he's heard from unknowing staff, he concluded as such."

"Yes," she nodded. "He wanted and heir. She wanted a child." She sighed, solemnly. "She kept trying long after the doctors warned her not to. Every month when her courses came," her voice shaky as she speaks. "It broke my heart to see her."

I smiled sadly. "She was lucky to have you, Mrs. Colson." Squeezing her hand, I try to offer her comfort.

"Everyone talked as through it was her fault," she continued heatedly. "But how could they know that? It is not always the woman who is barren. Sometimes it is the mans fault, of course." I look down, contemplative, sadly. Will we have that problem? She seems to notice my shift in mood and changes her direction of words. "Oh dear. I am afraid I am speaking out of turn."