Chapter Text
"Look, Ellie, don't the lamps in the square look lovely? And I'm sure that path's new. Do you think we have time before it gets dark to go for a bit of a trot?"
"No."
"Come on Ellie. What a perfect way to get settled in - going for a little ride! We might see who else has arrived in town too, get to know the neighbours again. Although I suppose they probably already know us - at least who we are. Maybe they remember us from when we were little."
"I don't doubt it."
"They might not, you know. It's not like Lucie was allowed to take us around the square. They probably just knew Mama and Papa. But they weren't in town that much. Why can't we go for a ride?"
"Anna, it's getting dark now. Plus, it's freezing."
"Come on, Ellie. I know you don't mind the cold."
"I mind having you sniffing at the dinner table for the next week, complaining of not being able to go out. And do you think we could stop with the 'Ellie'?"
She replied in her poshest voice, which was ridiculous, Elias thought, given that her voice was already as posh as the best governess could make it.
"Naturally. I wouldn't want your Grace's illustrious dignity to be demeaned."
He huffed. "I just think Ellie is maybe a little effeminate. Don't you?"
"Maybe you're right. We wouldn't want all those fawning debutantes put off, would we?"
He rolled his eyes as the carriage rolled up to Randall House. The heavy black door at the head of the stairs reflected the lamps of the carriage as it was hastily opened and several neatly liveried footmen and a rigid butler emerged. The carriage door was opened and His Grace, Elias, Duke of Nordon stepped down, as dignified as one would expect from the historic dukedom. Those who saw him - and there was no shortage of people peeking out windows around the square - would immediately identify him as his father's son. He was slim, with expensive clothes fitted but not hugging his figure, still pristine after hours in the carriage on the way to town, and his hair was blond, nearly white.
He turned, his back straight, and offered his hand. Lady Anna’s eyes moved constantly, examining the house, the street, the footmen, the horses (as if they might have changed from those hitched on at the last stop), so engrossed her foot landed awkwardly on the step and she found herself leaning rather more firmly than was elegant on her brother's hand. It was a not unexpected exit, and Elias caught her gracefully. Anna nodded a thank you and went back to her examination.
Her appearance was slightly more of a surprise for those spying on the new arrivals. For while Elias was everything that one would expect of a Randall, Anna’s resemblance was rather more subtle. It was there undeniably in the eyes and nose, but she was shorter and a bit rounder than she should be, or appeared that way because she carried herself with a barely contained frisson rather than the dignified grace of her brother. From under her travelling bonnet, hastily perched back on her head, ginger curls, nearly orange, were making their escape from the simple coiffure a maid had hoped would survive the journey.
Lined up in the hall were dozens of servants. Elias was acutely aware that this was the first time any of them had seen him as Duke. They would have many expectations based on his father's rule over the house. He hasn't even contacted any of them prior to coming here. Anna had a wonderful control on all his housekeeping and had arranged everything. Even more thoroughly than he expected, it turned out, as Anna was introduced down the rows.
"Betty? How is your sister now?" she was asking one of the housemaids. "Mr Matthews - we didn't expect to see you after your loss. You are most welcome to take more time at home, if you wish. Isn't he, Elias?"
Elias' positive response was more a grunt, but every interaction was softened by Anna’s smile. She was such a natural with people, so relaxed, so friendly, so lacking in snobbery. So different from every other Randall, Elias thought.
The housekeeper had prepared baths for their arrival and showed them both to their new rooms. Elias was moved to the master's room, naturally, and Anna just down the hall. She had wanted to stay in her childhood room, but the rooms by the nursery were small, and would have left Elias alone on his floor, so she'd chosen one of the smaller rooms, because of its view of the town garden and the delicate flowers in the wallpaper. Elias had asked her to have it redecorated, but other than the fabrics – which were in desperate need of refreshing – Anna refused. She didn't like to make a fuss and spending money wasn’t something that she took to easily.
Their great aunt, several times removed, Mrs Fort was to join them for dinner. She'd moved into the townhouse the previous week, at Elias' request. Anna would need a chaperone, and until he had a chance to interview for a paid companion, a family member would have to do. Not that they had many to choose from. Anna had made her curtsy three years ago under the sponsorship of their father's sister, but it had been a rush to get it done before their aunt's ill-health overcame her. Their mourning began only eight days later. Then their father's illness….
And so it had taken the siblings three years to return to town. And despite the family's absence from society, their return was to be the event of the season: the very eligible (and shockingly rich) young duke and his pretty, well-dowered sister who, at 20, must certainly be looking for a husband with some urgency. The duchy needed heirs and the money needed spending.
Mrs Fort was nearly completely deaf. The first course was nearly entirely taken up with Anna repeatedly shooting questions and comments at the older lady, who neither heard nor, Elias thought, made any effort to listen. Even when she did hear, she didn't appear to care about contributing to the conversation, and it wasn't long before she herself recommended they leave her out of it all together. By the third course even Anna had given up on trying to make herself understood and Elias determined that the interviews for a companion had best begin as soon as possible. What good was a chaperone who could neither socialise nor monitor Anna's social activities? He'd ask a school friend for recommendations.
It was breakfast the following morning. The siblings would take a while to adjust to town hours, so were up before the sun and, by nine, were so hungry they decided Mrs Fort could enjoy her breakfast in peace later, while they took it now. The incredibly efficient staff didn't bat an eye.
"Does the grand shopping expedition begin today?" asked Elias.
"I don't know that I really need anything. I would like to explore, and I suppose I need a new ball dress or two – we are going to go to balls, aren't we? – but you don't need to worry about having to pawn the family jewels or anything."
Elias frowned. Anna was appalling at buying for herself but she needed new clothes if she was going to embrace the season. He looked at her current ensemble. Definitely new clothes.
"Don't you want to go shopping?"
She smiled. "Oh, of course I'd love to shop, and it would be lovely to see all the new fashions and I think I could spend a week in a fabric shop, but I know London is expensive and I don't want you to have to worry about me spending above my pin money."
He was confused. He was one of the richest men in the country. His parents' habit of secluding themselves in the country may have been awful for their social lives, but it was excellent for their bank balance. And the estate (estates) weren't exactly unprofitable. Why this concern about spending money?
"Anna, you don't need to worry about money. Have the bills sent here. We have to do something with it and outfitting you spectacularly seems as good an idea as any other."
It was her turn for confusion. "But surely we don't have much? And the house must cost a lot to maintain?"
"Anna, I don't know where you got the idea that we can't afford it. We're rich. We're very, very rich. Disgustingly so. You could buy new wardrobes for the entire square and it wouldn't cause us money problems."
"But…" Her eyebrow crease remained. Elias could see her thinking as her eyes darted around the room. "But then why did we never come to town? Or have guests? I thought we were saving. Why did Papa want me married so quickly? Why…?" She drifted off.
"Father didn't like company. Neither did Mother. And you know your come out was rushed because of Aunt's illness."
"No, that can't be right. I've been doing the household accounts, and we can't be rich. I had to arrange for rooms to be closed off and was going to ask you about letting some of the staff go." That last bit was said in nothing more than a whisper.
Truth be told, Elias had no idea about the household accounts. Anna had never mentioned them. But after Mother died, she had picked them up, and neither his father nor himself had asked questions. Certainly it was a little odd that a 15-year old should manage the Nordon homes, but there were good housekeepers and Anna had never complained. He hadn't even thought to review the budget when he had become duke.
"Have you had any more money in the household budgets since Mother died, Anna?"
"No. I just thought… I suppose I thought I'd get more money if there was some to be had. So we do have more money?"
"Plenty. More than plenty." His face furrowed again. "Look, would you mind delaying your outings for today? I think it's time you took the secretary and I through the budget. Is that ok?"
Another thought. "Annie, has your pin money changed since Mother died?"
A slow head shake. She was looking at her breakfast, still a confused frown above her eyes. How could she not have known? Yes, Father had been stingy, but still… and she only had the pin money of a child. No wonder she'd not enjoyed shopping, buying adult clothes on that. He knew father would not have accepted clothing billed to the house.
"We'll sit and sort through the accounts and then tomorrow we'll go shopping, if you don't mind me coming."
Her eyes shot up to meet his. He rarely shopped, rarely left the house, and knowing an outing was coming would all but destroy his sleep tonight, but Anna needed a treat.