Chapter 34

"Right…" Cataleya answered distratingly, having her eyes still on the duke.

The duke turned to the maids this time. "Bring the food to the garden." 

"Yes, your grace." The three maids chorused.

"Then, please, let me guide you there, lady Briston." The duke offered his arm for her to reach. 

Cataleya was hesitant to be of comfortable distance with him but might be inappropriate to refuse the duke's kindness…if that was ever fitting into the situation.

"Thank you," Cataleya said and placed her hand to his arm. 

The duke gave her a satisfied smile before he led them out outside the kitchen through the back door instead of trekking back inside the mansion. Outside, they saw mny servants were already busily doing their respective tasks. 

There were maids washing linens in huge rounds of wooden buckets,  men tending to animals, trimming the garden, cutting woods and etc.