Page 67 of Stolen and Seduced By the Duke

Mrs. Norris concealed what looked suspiciously like a smile. "His Grace wished you to rest this morning. When he returns, you are to demonstrate how you have been feeding Master Hugh, so that he may observe the progress you have made."

Margaret's eyebrows rose. "The audacity of this man. He is arranging my schedule according to his preferences again." She pushed a loose strand of dark hair behind her ear and gave an indignant little huff. "I am his wife, not one of his footmen."

Mrs. Norris folded her hands before her. "His Grace has always believed that order prevents confusion, Your Grace."

"His Grace has always believed that order prevents anyone from doing anything he has not personally authorized," Margaret corrected, giving the older woman a pointed look. "There is a distinction."

Mrs. Norris's lips twitched. "Yes, Your Grace."

Margaret studied her suspiciously. "You agree with me?"

"I would never presume to agree or disagree with my employers."

"That was an extraordinarily diplomatic answer."

"Years of service, Your Grace."

Margaret could not help laughing. For all her annoyance, she liked Mrs. Norris, and she suspected the housekeeper was far too clever to be fooled by Pierce's stern exterior. Still, Margaret was not about to surrender her independence simply because her husband had decided that her morning should be spent sitting obediently in her chamber.

I warned Pierce that if he imposed himself too heavily upon me, I would resist. I had meant it then, and I mean it now.

Therefore, when she found Hugh awake, she decided that the best way to make her point was to spend the rest of the late morning with him on her own terms. With the nanny nearby, Margaret sat beside the little boy and talked to him as though he were capable of answering every question she asked.

Hugh rewarded her with an increasingly confident smile, and each time he smiled, Margaret's heart seemed to grow a little softer.

"You see that?" she whispered, brushing a finger gently across his cheek. "Your father thinks he must arrange everything for you, but I have discovered that you and I require no such arrangements."

Hugh gurgled happily and reached for the ribbon at her sleeve. Margaret laughed as she gently rescued it from his determined fingers. "Precisely. You understand me perfectly."

By noon, Hugh had eaten most of his meal, played with a wooden horse, and finally surrendered to sleep. Margaret watched him for a moment after the nanny carried him away, feeling an unexpected warmth in her chest. She had entered this household believing she was merely fulfilling an obligation, yet the child was making it increasingly difficult to maintain that distance. She might not know what she felt for Pierce, but she knew she already cared deeply for Hugh.

She glanced towards the clock, almost one. Pierce still had not returned.

Margaret considered the message he had left for her and felt her irritation return.

"Rest," she muttered beneath her breath, gathering her skirts as she crossed the room. "Demonstrate. Wait for His Grace. How very convenient that every command he gives me is somehow described as a reasonable suggestion."

She paused before the mirror in her chamber and studied her reflection. A smile slowly appeared. "Well, if His Grace is permitted to conduct business without asking my permission, I see no reason why I cannot conduct a little business of my own."

The afternoon was perfect for shopping.

When Margaret announced her intention to go into London, Mrs. Norris appeared almost immediately, as though the housekeeper possessed some mysterious ability to sense impending trouble.

"Your Grace," she began cautiously, "might it be better to wait until the Duke returns?"

Margaret reached for her cloak. "Absolutely not."

"But His Grace…"

"...is not here," Margaret finished, fastening the clasp beneath her chin. "Which means that for the next few hours I am in charge of myself."

Mrs. Norris sighed softly. "You intend to go shopping?"

"I do."

"Should I call the carriage?" Mrs. Norris asked.

"Obviously."