News
Storytelling

Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

Chapter 10

Theme:
Font Size:
24px
Mabel met his gaze. "I am the Duchess for six weeks. Everything involving the trust is my concern if it affects the household."Lucien watched the lawyer's red nose deepen in color.They began with the kitchens. Mabel opened cupboards and checked stores. She asked why the household owned twelve jars of anchovy paste, but no flour. Mrs. Crest answered that the steward had declared flour vulgar; Mabel declared the steward unemployed.Lucien tried to intervene; Mabel turned on him. "Do you want a stable household, or a decorative one?"Lucien stopped. Lucien kept his voice level. "A stable one."Mabel pointed at the door. "Then you may stand there and look authoritative."Lucien did.The inspection moved to the laundry. Lady Theodora discovered that Mabel had replaced imported scented soap with a local soap that did not smell like a funeral bouquet. Lady Theodora held up the soap. "This is cheap."Mabel kept folding linens. "It is effective."Lady Theodora frowned. "A duchess should not smell of lye."Mabel looked up. "A duchess should not smell of anything after washing."Lucien coughed into his fist. Lady Theodora looked at him. "Do you find this amusing?"Lucien kept his expression blank. "I find cleanliness reassuring."The second rule began to fail before luncheon. Lucien had promised not to interfere in Mabel's private affairs; he had not expected to find her in the old servants' courtyard.She was confronting a man who had arrived with a forged letter. The man claimed to be her brother; the man was thin, red-haired, and entirely too cheerful for someone who had just been caught using the Duke's seal.The man spread his hands. "I am not her brother. I am her cousin."Mabel folded her arms. "You told me you were her brother."The man shrugged. "Cousin sounds less tragic."Mabel narrowed her eyes. "Your name?"The man bowed. "Percival Nibbs."Mabel kept her voice flat. "Why are you here?"Percival smiled. "Family affection."Mabel stared at him. "You have not seen me in nine years."Percival pressed a hand to his chest. "Affection can mature in the dark."Lucien stepped into the courtyard. "What is happening?"Percival brightened. "Your Grace! I have come to congratulate you on your fortunate marriage."Lucien pointed at the letter. "You used my seal."Percival touched his nose. "A family resemblance."Lucien studied him. "Your nose is crooked."Percival grinned. "It runs in the family."Mabel closed her eyes briefly. "Percival has never stolen anything that was nailed down."
PREV NEXT

News in the same category

Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

29 Part