Chapter 23

Since Mrs Merrick's dismissal I've felt much more at ease being back at Knole. I hadn't expected William to move so quickly to remove her but I'm glad he did even if it has caused more work as we now have to find a new housekeeper, and quickly. There was a brief discussion of bringing Mrs Fenton here but she has family in Bath and is close to retiring so it would be too much to ask of her to travel to Knole and run such a large house.

Instead Delves has been making enquiries for a new housekeeper over the last three weeks and he's interviewed a few so far. None have impressed though so the search continues for someone capable of running a house as big as Knole, it's why we're still searching after almost a month without one. The house maids are capable enough to keep the house running for now but none are experienced enough to be promoted to the position themselves.

I'm occupying myself with reading over the references of the applicant that Delves is meeting today as he has high hopes for her. If the interview goes well then I will meet her myself, William is not taking the risk of another Mrs Merrick.

"Any progress, my love?" William asks entering the library where I've set myself up to read through the list of references. He'd been busy in his study all morning; an urgent letter had come from Scotland late yesterday about an issue with the estate there.

"I won't know until Delves has met with this Mrs Gould. She has good references though so I'm hopeful it will go well," I inform him setting the papers aside to give my full attention to him.

"That's good because we've received an invitation. The season is coming to an end and Richard's mother, the Duchess of Devonshire, is hosting a ball to celebrate," He tells me handing over the invitation to me so I can read it for myself.

"I don't understand. Even if you are Richard's friend with my... reputation why would the Duchess invites me to such an important ball?"

"For that I believe we can thank Richard. He sent a letter along with the invitation detailing his efforts to secure our invitation no doubt so he can use it against me for years to come," He says with a chuckle as it's all in good fun between them, "We don't have to go if you don't with to."

"No," I reply letting out a deep sigh as I return the letter to him, "We should go. The longer we leave a return to society the more difficult it will be and with it being the Duchess's ball no one will want to cause her offence."

"Very true. I'll inform Delves and he can start making arrangement for out return to London. It shouldn't take long for the town house to be prepared for us. The ball is in a week but I'd like to leave a few days before then to meet with my solicitor so I can handle some matters in person. And we could remain in London for a while after the ball, the season will practically be over and so London will be emptying. There'll still be concerts and plays that we could attend though."

"That sounds wonderful," I reply leaning forward to kiss his cheek, "I shall go and see Marguerite immediately to being packing."

Excitement overwhelms my nervousness as I leave the room and inform a passing maid to send Marguerite to my room. Thoughts of which dresses to pack war with my fear of how I'll be received in London after so many rumours and numerous articles in the scandal sheets. I can't afford for this to go badly though; this could very well be my last chance to have a place in society provided by a well-respected Duchess. There won't be another opportunity like this.

"You called for me, your Grace," Marguerite greets with a curtsy entering my room to find me looking through my dresses.

"Yes. The Duke and I are going to London in a few days. We've been invited to a ball being hosted by the Duchess of Devonshire so I'll need something special for the event. It'll be my first ball as Duchess," I tell her becoming more nervous as I can't seem to decide which dress would be most suitable.

"Wonderful news your Grace. Now let's see what you shall need."

Together the two of us search through my entire wardrobe discussing the merits of each dress and the possible jewellery that would pair well with them. In the end we spend several hours packing my trunks so that not only will I have a dress for the ball but other evening dresses for whatever other events the Duke and I attend.

With there still being several days before our departure to London Marguerite suggests sending the trunk to London earlier and having the dresses cleaned there. Doing so now will mean that by the time we get to London they'll all be perfectly clean and ready to wear. With that decided all that if left now is the final packing of my shoes and jewellery which Marguerite has ensured me she will attend to as soon as she's seen the trunk sent off.

"Are you packed then?" William asks as I return to the library where he's sat reading.

"Not quite. Marguerite is sending one ahead to London but my shoes and other belongings still need to determined," I inform him taking a seat next to him and resting my head on his shoulder.

"Well I suppose that it's quite a change from our usual last-minute packing," He replies with a short laugh that jostles my head slightly as his shoulders move.

"Yes it is. I'm sure that Marguerite and Bucke will appreciate the notice for one. We do often decide to travel at the last-minute," I say musingly thinking back over the various times that we've only chosen to go somewhere with very little notice, "Although thinking of it, my love, it is often you that has made that choice," I continue with a teasing smile.

"Only when needed," He says back with a smile as well, "And the decision for our immediate departure to Bath I made for your health. It's a choice that I will gladly make again if it would be for your benefit."

"I love you," I whisper back to him not knowing what else to say to such a sweet declaration.

"As I love you my wife," He reaches a hand up to cup my cheek and lean into it, lifting my head off his shoulder as I do so. That hand gently guides me further towards him until he can kiss me. A gentle loving kiss as we're both more than aware that a servant could walk in at any time and see us.

We spend the rest of the day content in each other's company. William returns to his reading while I practise at the piano for a time before picking up my embroidery instead. I try not to let my thoughts drift to the reception I will no doubt receive in London when we get there, it will not be pleasant. And I don't know how William will react to it as since finding out about Mrs Merrick's treatment of me he's been rather protective. But he can't do as he pleases in front of the ton.

These terrible thoughts linger over the next few days as the final preparations for our departure are made. Mrs Gould is hired as the new housekeeper and while she's been tested immediately with our trip to London she'll be able to settle in properly during our absence. Both William and I are quite impressed with how well she's handled being hired at such a difficult time, together with Delves we're happy to leave Knole in their capable hands.

Soon after we've finished our breakfast we're ready to leave. The carriage is loaded with trunks and a stable hand near with William's horse waiting for us as we head outside. As during our journey to and from Bath Marguerite joins me in the carriage to keep me company although we'll reach London before nightfall, a much shorter journey than before.

Knowing that doesn't ease my boredom as I sit in the carriage trying to focus on my book. Fear and uncertainty prevent my focus though as every turn of the carriage wheels brings me closer to London and the severe eye of the ton. And the day after tomorrow we'll attend the Duchess's ball which will no doubt be attended by many high-ranking members of society. None of whom will see me as one of them.

"Welcome back to London my love," William says holding my hand gently as he helps me down from the carriage that's stopped outside of his townhouse. It's the first time that I've seen it and much like the house in Bath it's in a fashionable area of London. As we walked inside I find it as well kept and grand as I've come to expect from all of William's properties.

"It's lovely William," I reply turning slowly to take in the beautiful entrance. Humphrey had mentioned that years ago our family had a townhouse in London as well but it was sold by our father to cover his father's debts. I can't imagine that it would have been half as beautiful as this one, even Lady Anne's home which I'd considered to be the most beautiful house pales in comparison.

"Eleanor this is Mrs Risley, the housekeeper. And Copleton the butler," William introduces the older man and woman who approach us, bowing and curtsying to us.

"Your Graces. We've prepared some tea for you in the drawing room if you wish to rest there," Copleton offers and I'm grateful for his forethought. After spending most of the day in the carriage a cup of tea is just what I need.

"Wonderful, thank you Copleton," William replies leading me to the drawing room. I can't help letting out a small gasp in wonder as we enter the exquisitely decorated room. The white and gold decorated room is large and its big windows fill the room with light. And in the corner a matching white piano waits to be played, I can picture myself spending hours in this room.

"It seems I shall know where to find you from now on, wife. Do you truly like the room so much?" William teases lightly with an indulgent smile on his face.

"Yes. I don't believe I shall ever leave," I reply with a large smile across my face stepping even closer to him, hugging his arm to me I use it as leverage to pull myself up onto my toes to press a brief kiss to his cheek.

"I shall have a bed moved down here for you then so you never have to leave then," William says with a completely straight face. Only for a moment though before he chuckles and wraps his arms around me for a hug. Keeping an arm wrapped around my waist he leads me over to one of the settees where we sit together and finally have our cups of tea.

That rest and our dinner later on work wonders to relieve the exhaustion of travel. Still we retire to bed earlier than we usually would but we're both too tired to do anything other than sleep. Since the night we'd started fulfilling our marital duties again we'd continued to do the same, I hope that soon enough I'll be pregnant. Although I will miss the sense of closeness that comes with our nights together.

Settling into the London house is easier than expected. Mainly as we've not been anywhere nor had any visitors to cause any issues. It's almost like being back at Knole or Bath with only the staff and the rooms being different to how we usually spend our days. Tonight is the Duchess's ball though.

Our first venture into the public eye since Lady Sampford's ball.

Nearly six months have passed since then. I've lost a child. Fallen in love with my husband. Now I'll be back under the judgement of the ton.

"You look perfect my love," William tells me as I meet him in the entrance. I've spent the past several hours sequestered in my room with Marguerite preparing for the ball so it's the first time he's seen me as I'd not shown him the dress for tonight. A white silk underdress with a light blue overdress both decorated with gold embroidery, it's one of my most expensive dresses making it perfect for such a high-profile ball. "Are you ready to go?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," I reply shakily nerves starting to get the best of me. Placing my hand in his outstretched one he leads me out to the carriage. He'd told me earlier that the Devonshire's home isn't far from ours so we'll be there soon and the only possible delay we might experience is due to other carriages arriving at the same time.

William holds my hand the entire journey providing me with some comfort as I gather the strength to appear before the ton. I know without his hold that my hands would be shaking from fear. Many of those at this ball will have also attended Lady Sampson's so will have seen or heard about the scandal that occurred. It'll only increase their scrutiny of me. But at least I'll have William standing by my side as a pillar of strength.