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Authors: Susan Johnson
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are always useful, my dear. I'll see that some others of my friends help out as well. And if you'd be so kind and give my steward some advice on how to begin such a project, I think I'd very much like to do the same here."
"One feels an enormous sense of accomplishment at seeing a small child cured, or a young mother given adequate care during birthing, or an injured workman who would otherwise be invalided nursed back to health. I derive great pleasure from my work, although my parents sometimes think I should lighten my schedule."
"You're young and energetic. Why not do what you like when you have vigor. I still recall my days on the stage with great delight, although we worked long hours in sometimes difficult conditions. But I wouldn't have given up the experience for all of Cyril's money."
"Jack said last night that yours was a love match. How wonderful."
"Cyril was the most perfect of men. I consider myself very fortunate to have found him in this rough-and-tumble world."
"Have you been alone long?" Venus didn't wish to pry into the details of the duke's death should the memory be painful.
"Ten years now, and I still miss him every day. He ignored his family's outrage to marry me. He was very brave."
"He was very fortunate, I think."
"We both were much in love for forty years. Tell me of your family. Everyone knows of your father and grandfather. Do you have brothers and sisters? I'm told your mother's from Kent."
For the remainder of the journey to the warehouse, the women spoke of their families. The duchess had two children born late in her marriage. Her son was currently in Egypt on a desert trek, while her daughter, married to a diplomat, was posted in Vienna.
"They'll both be back in England this fall. Do you intend a lengthy visit?" the duchess asked.
Venus shook her head. "Another fortnight, perhaps a month, but no more. I came to buy some of the new equipment displayed at the Great Exhibit, and once I've accomplished my task, I'll return to Paris."
"You and Julia would have suited wonderfully, although she's somewhat older than you. She believes in independence for women, you see, although I can't imagine where she acquired such radical notions." The duchess's smile was teasing. "And should my son show the faintest inkling of taking a wife someday, I'd try to induce you to stay and meet him. Although his father was nearing forty when we married," she reflected. "I suppose Geoffrey feels he still has ten years before he needs to take a wife. Julia's given me my wonderful grandchildren, for which I'm grateful. If I were to wait for my son to produce an heir," she said with a small sigh, "I'd be long dead."
Wishing to keep the conversation on a happier note, Venus asked the duchess about her grandchildren and was regaled for the remainder of the journey with their glowing achievements.
The ladies spent the afternoon overseeing the re- moval of the supplies from the warehouse to the Duras's ship, and once their task was completed, the duchess cajoled Venus into returning to her home for tea. "No need to dress, my dear. We'll be quite alone. And you haven't seen my garden yet, so I won't take no for an answer."
After the duchess's generous donation and help, it would have been difficult to refuse, but Venus found her likable as well. "If you promise I shan't have to meet anyone of fashion in this dirty gown," she replied, trying to brush a smudge from her skirt.
"Only my own fashionable self, my dear." The duchess spread her arms wide, displaying her own dusty gown, smiling as she might have years ago on Drury Lane's stage.
"Then 1 accept with pleasure, although 1 warn you, I'm extremely hungry. I'll make a shambles of your sweets and sandwiches."
"How shocking," the duchess said in mock horror. "A woman who eats. My female acquaintances all nibble like so many, tame squirrels. Do you like lemon-curd tarts?"
"I adore anything with lemon curd."
"I do think we must be related." The duchess patted
"One feels an enormous sense of accomplishment at seeing a small child cured, or a young mother given adequate care during birthing, or an injured workman who would otherwise be invalided nursed back to health. I derive great pleasure from my work, although my parents sometimes think I should lighten my schedule."
"You're young and energetic. Why not do what you like when you have vigor. I still recall my days on the stage with great delight, although we worked long hours in sometimes difficult conditions. But I wouldn't have given up the experience for all of Cyril's money."
"Jack said last night that yours was a love match. How wonderful."
"Cyril was the most perfect of men. I consider myself very fortunate to have found him in this rough-and-tumble world."
"Have you been alone long?" Venus didn't wish to pry into the details of the duke's death should the memory be painful.
"Ten years now, and I still miss him every day. He ignored his family's outrage to marry me. He was very brave."
"He was very fortunate, I think."
"We both were much in love for forty years. Tell me of your family. Everyone knows of your father and grandfather. Do you have brothers and sisters? I'm told your mother's from Kent."
For the remainder of the journey to the warehouse, the women spoke of their families. The duchess had two children born late in her marriage. Her son was currently in Egypt on a desert trek, while her daughter, married to a diplomat, was posted in Vienna.
"They'll both be back in England this fall. Do you intend a lengthy visit?" the duchess asked.
Venus shook her head. "Another fortnight, perhaps a month, but no more. I came to buy some of the new equipment displayed at the Great Exhibit, and once I've accomplished my task, I'll return to Paris."
"You and Julia would have suited wonderfully, although she's somewhat older than you. She believes in independence for women, you see, although I can't imagine where she acquired such radical notions." The duchess's smile was teasing. "And should my son show the faintest inkling of taking a wife someday, I'd try to induce you to stay and meet him. Although his father was nearing forty when we married," she reflected. "I suppose Geoffrey feels he still has ten years before he needs to take a wife. Julia's given me my wonderful grandchildren, for which I'm grateful. If I were to wait for my son to produce an heir," she said with a small sigh, "I'd be long dead."
Wishing to keep the conversation on a happier note, Venus asked the duchess about her grandchildren and was regaled for the remainder of the journey with their glowing achievements.
The ladies spent the afternoon overseeing the re- moval of the supplies from the warehouse to the Duras's ship, and once their task was completed, the duchess cajoled Venus into returning to her home for tea. "No need to dress, my dear. We'll be quite alone. And you haven't seen my garden yet, so I won't take no for an answer."
After the duchess's generous donation and help, it would have been difficult to refuse, but Venus found her likable as well. "If you promise I shan't have to meet anyone of fashion in this dirty gown," she replied, trying to brush a smudge from her skirt.
"Only my own fashionable self, my dear." The duchess spread her arms wide, displaying her own dusty gown, smiling as she might have years ago on Drury Lane's stage.
"Then 1 accept with pleasure, although 1 warn you, I'm extremely hungry. I'll make a shambles of your sweets and sandwiches."
"How shocking," the duchess said in mock horror. "A woman who eats. My female acquaintances all nibble like so many, tame squirrels. Do you like lemon-curd tarts?"
"I adore anything with lemon curd."
"I do think we must be related." The duchess patted
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