A Scandal By Any Other Name

The day to leave had finally arrived.

The bright morning sun poured generously through the tall glass windows of Hamilton House, casting warm, golden squares of light onto the patterned carpets. Outside, the London streets were already waking up, filled with the sounds of horse hooves and carriage wheels. Inside the Duke’s house, there was a busy, excited energy in the air.

Delaney stood in the center of her large, comfortable bedchamber. She started preparing for her long departure. She wore a beautiful, simple traveling dress made of dark green wool, a garment perfectly suited for a long carriage ride to the country. Her dark hair was styled neatly, and the white bandage on her head had been reduced to a small, discreet patch hidden beneath her curls.

She looked around the room that had been her safe sanctuary. She felt a deep, profound sense of gratitude.

She was completely ready to go back to Oakridge Manor.

Two days ago, Delaney had asked Mr. Simmons for his expert help in employing proper servants for the Oakridge manor. Mr. Simmons had been entirely delighted to assist her. Using his vast connections in the city, he had quickly hired a full, loyal staff. He hired a well trained butler, a talented cook, several hardworking maids, strong footmen, and a reliable groundskeeper.

Mr. Simmons had sent them ahead in wagons the very next morning. They were already at the manor right now.

Delaney could perfectly picture the busy scene in her mind. The new servants were currently moving rapidly through the grand rooms of Oakridge. They were cleaning the marble floors, dusting the tall bookshelves, and washing the large glass windows and curtains. They were beating the thick rugs and lighting warm, crackling fires in every single fireplace. They were trying their absolute best to keep the manor entirely clean and perfectly welcoming for her arrival.

A firm, polite knock came on the door of the guest room down the hallway.

Mr. Simmons had gone to Aunt Renee’s room to offer his assistance.

"Please, allow me to take that for you, Madam," Mr. Simmons said in his smooth, professional voice.

He helped Aunt Renee bring her leather traveling trunk downstairs. He lifted it easily, walking with a straight back, demonstrating the perfect manners of a high-ranking English butler. Aunt Renee followed him, wearing a dark blue pelisse over her dress, looking very happy and Foward to seeing the manor.

Back in Delaney’s room, a knock sounded at her door.

"Come in," Delaney called out softly.

The door opened. Rowan walked into the room. He was dressed flawlessly in a dark morning coat, his white cravat tied with absolute precision. His eyes were warm and filled with deep affection as he looked at her.

He looked at the large wooden trunk resting on the floor near the foot of her bed. It was filled with the beautiful new silk dresses he had bought for her, safely folded.

"Are you ready, my darling?" Rowan asked, his deep voice vibrating pleasantly in the quiet room.

Delaney nodded her head. She picked up her small cloth reticule and her warm gloves. "I am ready."

Rowan did not call for a footman. He did not ask a servant to do the labor. He walked completely past her, bent his knees slightly, and grabbed the thick leather handles of the trunk.

Rowan helped Delaney with hers. With a smooth, easy flex of his broad shoulders, he lifted the trunk completely off the floor.

"You do not have to carry that, Rowan," Delaney protested mildly, a small, fond smile touching her lips. "You are a Duke. The servants will stare."

Rowan looked at her, his eyes twinkling brightly. "I do not care if the entire House of Lords stares, Delaney. I will gladly carry your burdens, whether they are heavy wooden trunks or heavy worries."

Delaney’s heart fluttered warmly in her chest. She stepped aside, holding the door open for him.

They walked together down the long, carpeted hallway and descended the grand, sweeping staircase. Rowan carried the trunk effortlessly, his boots stepping firmly on the polished steps.

They got to the grand foyer.

The entire household had gathered near the large, open double doors to bid them a proper farewell. The morning light flooded into the marble entryway, illuminating the happy faces of the people Delaney had come to view as her true family.

Aunt Margery stood near the center of the foyer, wearing an elegant purple day dress. Beside her stood Ines, who was happily holding little Harry in her arms. Edith, the nursemaid, stood attentively nearby. Celine stood a polite distance away, her hands folded neatly, looking completely peaceful and content.

Mr. Simmons set Aunt Renee’s trunk down near the front door. Rowan walked forward and placed Delaney’s trunk gently right next to it.

Two sturdy footmen immediately picked up both trunks and carried them outside to be strapped securely to the back of the waiting traveling carriage.

Aunt Renee walked forward first. She approached Aunt Margery with a wide, bright, completely genuine smile on her face.

Aunt Renee hugged Aunt Margery. It was a warm, friendly embrace between two older women who both cared deeply for Delaney’s happiness.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality, my lady," Renee said sincerely, her musical French accent filling the quiet foyer. "And thank you so very much for caring for my Delaney when she had absolutely no one else."

Margery chuckled warmly, patting Renee’s back gently.

Suddenly, a loud, sharp noise interrupted the sweet moment.

Yap! Yap! Yap!

Fifi, Aunt Margery’s fluffy poodle, trotted quickly across the marble floor. The dog stopped right at Renee’s feet and barked loudly at her dark blue dress, entirely suspicious of the visitor leaving.

Margery laughed a bright, happy sound. She reached down quickly and scooped the barking poodle up into her arms, petting the dog’s curly head to quiet her down.

"It is absolutely nothing, Mrs. Dufort," Margery smiled warmly at Renee, completely ignoring the dog’s fuss. "She is practically family. We love having her here."

Renee stepped back with a highly grateful expression. "Of course," Renee agreed softly.