Chapter Four

The Duchess sat in the library still unsatisfied by the outcome of the mansion. It wasn't to her taste. Well, nothing ever was. No one ever got her taste. She expected everywhere to be as flawless as she was. Richard was coming back after a couple of days which to get seemed like ages. It was quite a sight to behold when she had told the kids of his return. One could tell it was all they had hoped for all their lives. Well, Elisa could control hers, unlike Eloise after all she was just like the duchess.

Servants moved in and out of the mansion. No one was seen less busy. It was quite a busy period. One would think the mansion was never lived in with all the work and decorations. She wanted his homecoming to be so special, though she has plans of throwing a ball. Well, that wouldn't be now. She was going to give him time to settle first. How she so missed him.

"Your grace" Sam the butler called. "His grace us back." He announced. That was the best news she had heard in what felt like eons. Finally, her boy was back.

"Should I call him up or---"

"Oh, nonsense. I will be coming down right away. I do not want to stress him with all the stairs for he has had a long and tiring journey. I will be going down myself."

"But your grace----"

"Enough Sam, let's get going." She said with a snap of her fingers.

The evening air was warm and a bit cold. One would think it was going to rain but well it wasn't going to. It's that cool summer that wants to smile at you and just cool out all the worries. Yeah, that was his it felt. You could actually feel joy breathing in the cool air. It felt bliss. This is London, Richard thought. It seemed like eons since he last stepped his feet on the soil. It felt good being back. This is home. Oh, how he missed home. One would never believe he would accept the fact he did. It felt divine.

"Oh Richard child." He heard the duchess call. The only woman that calls everyone 'child' provided she was older. It felt great to be welcomed with such joy. How he so kissed her. Everything seemed like ages to him. When last was he welcomed in such a manner? This is home, he thought. What was he doing in Paris all this while?

"Dear aunt," he said sweeping her up in a tight embrace. How he so missed this soul. Who would ever think that the great duchess would have a soft spot? Well, this is her only nephew. This is someone she loves and cares so much about. This is her family.

"Whatever were you doing in Paris for two years that you forgot about your old dear aunt or wasn't I missed? She asked with a sad smile.

" I did miss you, dear aunt. He replied with a slight smile. "I really did miss you."

"Then what kept you over there? When you could so easily come back if you did." She pointed out.

"Come on now, we can't possibly be arguing over this. I'm exhausted and I need a hot bath and a healthy meal. Where are the girls?"

"Indeed you must be very tired and here I am whining over nothing. Do not mind my manners child." She said with a slight smile. Turning to the maids she called. "Do prepare a hot bath for his grace and have a hearty meal set for him for he has had a long journey." She said, "and as for the girls ---"

"Uncle Richie?" The girls called running down the stairs two by two. Both forgetting that their lady's etiquette involved no running. All chin parallel to the ground and hands at the sides. Well, this is uncle Richie. Who cares?

"My lovelies," he said crouching down to their level. "I've missed you both." He said squeezing them in a tight hug.

" so have we dear uncle," Elisa said

"Whatever did you get for me dear uncle for I shall really be bad at you. However, a good play with me might just change my mind and make me forgive you. What says you?" Eloise rattled on and on and with a throaty laugh, Richard replied. "I did get something for you two. Do you really think I will come with nothing and with or without the presents sweetie, I still have lots and lots of games to play with you." He said giving her a light peck on her cheek.

"Very well then you are on my good side." She replied with a smile.

"You should go have your bath child before it runs cold." Her grace said.

"But I haven't had enough time with him, gran"

"He just returned child, surely he needs his bath and a meal" she pointed.

"Very well then I should get going for Diane is waiting for me. She seems to b the only one who seems to have my time in this house." She said pouting.

"I do need my rest after the journey sweetheart but for as long as I am here, I will have your time. By the way who is Diane?"

"The new governess. She's pretty. I mean so pretty. And then she's mean when she has to be. But she's really nice. I do like her."

"A new governess for how long has she been working here?"

"A month"

" if she is as nice as you say, child, I would love to meet her but if she isn't....." He said with a pause and a little frown on his face. ".... I would want to. I do not want some old lady nagging at me."

"She isn't old. Not too old I guess she would just be older than Elis by a couple of years or two."

"Very well then, I would love to meet her. It's time to take the offer of a bath her grace suggested. I will see you two shortly. Take good care of yourselves. Love you two both." He said giving them a light peck on the cheeks.