The Duke’s Guests Laughed as the Maid Fell Into the Lake — She Said, “I’ll Remember Every Face”
Chapter 32
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"The ship only came into port three days ago," Thomas said. "I didn't want to tell you until I was sure he was really on it. I didn't want you to be hurt again." He came forward and held out his hand to her father. "Mr. Doyle, welcome home."John Doyle looked at the Duke's hand for a long moment. Then he ignored it completely and pulled the young man into a big, rough hug."You were a terrible little rider," he said gruffly. "Always falling off.""I know," said Thomas, laughing. "You told me so every Sunday."At 11:00, the great doors of Ravensworth Church swung open. Every seat was full again: the same lords and ladies, the same silk, the same feathers, the same jewels.Down the long aisle came a young woman in ivory silk, on the arm of an old man with a white beard and a sun-brown face, who walked slowly but very proudly. Behind them came Ned Turner and his Annie in their Sunday best, both already crying, and Toby, now 14, in a smart new coat—the youngest head stable lad in the history of Ravensworth.In the front pew, the Dowager Duchess stood up. She looked at John Doyle. She bowed her head to him very low and held it there. When she lifted it again, there were tears on her old cheeks.At the altar, the Duke of Ravensworth waited. He did not take his eyes off his bride for one second. And this time, when the vicar asked if any man knew a reason why these two people should not be joined together, the whole church was silent. Nobody said a word.After the service, the new Duchess of Ravensworth came out of the church into the bright sunshine on her husband's arm. The guests lined up along the path to offer their congratulations.One by one they came forward, and one by one, because she was now a duchess and they were not, they had to bow and curtsy before her.Mr. Henry Faraday in a blue waistcoat bowed so low his nose nearly touched his knees; his face was scarlet. Miss Lavinia Price with yellow ribbons curtsied and could not look up. Sir Walter Bigg, the banker, stammered his congratulations and dropped his hat. The Misses Clarendon, both in pink, curtsied together like two frightened birds. Lady Augusta Moore, who had once called her a drowned rat, sank so low into her curtsy that she nearly could not get up again.Clara smiled at each of them—a gracious, gentle smile. "Thank you so much for coming," she said to every single one.When the last of them had passed, Thomas leaned down and whispered in her ear: "You're being very kind to them, my love. Kinder than they deserve.""I know," said Clara.She looked back along the path at all of them: all the faces from the lake, all the faces from the church, every one of them now bowing to the housemaid they had once laughed at in the water.And the new Duchess of Ravensworth smiled."I told you," she said softly. "I remember every face."