the housekeeper upstairs while Rhys went to sort out whatever problems arose between her sons. She had a small regret that he was being thrown into the fire as far as fatherhood was concerned but she knew if any man could handle two rambunctious boys, it was her husband-to-be.
As Dalinda supervised Tandy’s unpacking, Mrs. Marsh talked over the next few days of menus with her. She informed the housekeeper they would be at Sheffield Park for two weeks before departing for Torville Manor, where she and Lord Sheffington would be wed.
Mrs. Marsh’s face softened at the mention of the wedding. “We are so happy for you, Your Grace. Lord Sheffington is a very fine man.”
“I think so, too. I will be proud to be his countess.”
The housekeeper left as her sons hurried into the room.
“Come, Mama,” Harry urged. “You need to see my room.”
“Mine, too,” Arthur begged. “Harry and I are next door to each other.”
“That way we can knock on the wall and hear one another,” Harry noted. “And if I am scared—I won’t be, but if—I can go and slip into Arthur’s bed.”
Dalinda knew Harry had a tendency to hear noises at night and was the more fearful of the two. It was one of the reasons she’d had them share a room, knowing Arthur would look out for his little brother.
“Show me the way.”
They took her hands and led her a few doors down from her rooms. Harry’s bedchamber came first and he pointed out all the reasons he had selected this particular room.
“I think you did a fine job in choosing, Harry,” she told her son, who beamed at her praise.
“Come to mine, Mama,” Arthur urged, tugging on her hand.
He, too, showed her around the large, airy bedchamber and noted where he planned to read and the area he could set up the small army figures he favored playing with.
Rhys appeared in the doorway. “Do you like their choices?” he asked.
“I do. It doesn’t seem as if they argued about the decision at all.”
“Not a bit,” he assured her. “I do need the three of you to come downstairs with me now.”
“Are we having an early tea?” Arthur asked. “I am famished.”
“I can arrange that,” Rhys said. “Come along.”
As they reached the final landing before arriving at the ground floor, Dalinda saw the foyer lined with people and realized it must be all of the household’s servants and many of the others who worked outside on the estate.
The four of them came to stand on the last stair and Rhys said, “I asked you to gather because I have some excellent news to share with you. Her Grace has consented to become the next Countess of Sheffington.”
Applause rang out and she felt the hot blush stain her cheeks as attention was focused upon her.
Rhys placed his hands on her sons’ shoulders and added, “This is Lord Arthur and Lord Harry. They are the sons of the Duke of Gilford—and I am proud to claim them as my new family members, along with the duchess.”
Dalinda glowed with happiness, seeing how Rhys had truly accepted her boys as his own. More importantly, it seemed as if Arthur and Harry were also happy at being part of a new, hopefully, growing family.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Your Grace,” Mrs. Marsh said, “a carriage is approaching.”
Dalinda looked up and said, “It must be the Robinsons and Mrs. Nathan. Are their rooms ready?” she asked the housekeeper.
“Yes, Your Grace. And Cook has asked me to pass along her thanks at the new cook you brought with you from Laurelwood. It has made a significant difference in getting meals to the soldiers and relieved Cook greatly.”
“A house can only be as happy as its cook is,” she said as she rose to go and meet the new arrivals.
The two women went downstairs and outside where Mr. Marsh and two footmen awaited. The carriage, which Rhys had sent, pulled into the drive and came to a stop.
First out was Dr. Robinson, who assisted his daughter and then their servant from the vehicle. Dalinda went to greet them.
“Welcome to Sheffield Park, Doctor. We are happy to have you, Miss Robinson, and Mrs. Nathan here with us. We have rooms ready for you in the east wing. Would you like to go to them now and freshen up?”
“No,” he said. “Our journey was short. I think we are all eager to meet our patients.”
His daughter and Mrs. Nathan nodded in agreement.
“Very well. If you’ll follow me. We are using