My Bratty Wife
Chapter 227 - Two Hundred And Twenty Seven

Chapter 227: Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Seven

The rhythmic sway of the carriage and the soft drumming of the horses’ hooves on the packed earth road had lulled Suzy into a light slumber. She leaned against the velvet upholstery, her wide-brimmed traveling hat tilted slightly, a book lying open and forgotten in her lap. They were on their way from Carleton, heading towards the familiar tranquility of the Chateau Valeré, where the final, bustling preparations for the orphanage jubilee were in full swing.

Suddenly, the carriage gave a violent lurch as one of the wheels struck a sizeable, unseen rock embedded in the road. Suzy was jolted awake, her head cracking sharply against the wooden side panel of the carriage before she could brace herself.

"Ouch!!!" she exclaimed, her eyes flying open as she instinctively brought a hand to her throbbing temple. The pain was sharp and immediate, making her wince.

Noah who rode inside the carriage with her for security on these journeys, witnessed the impact. His face tightened with concern and anger. He thrust his head out of the window, his voice booming over the rumble of the wheels. "Aaron! Can you be more careful, man? You’ve hurt the Duchess! Watch the road!"

Aaron immediately reined in the horses, bringing the carriage to a more cautious, albeit bumpier, pace. "My sincerest apologies, Your Grace! And to you, Captain Noah!" his voice drifted back, strained with effort and embarrassment. "The road is unexpectedly treacherous today. There were heavy rains just yesterday, and it seems the recent passage of several heavily laden timber wagons from the northern forests has churned up the surface quite badly in this stretch. Forgive my incompetence, Your Grace. I should have anticipated this section would be worse for wear."

Suzy, rubbing the tender spot on her head, managed a weak smile. "It’s quite alright, Aaron," she called out, her voice a little shaky. "These things happen. But... isn’t this the same road we usually take when we’re going to the Chateau Valeré? I don’t recall it being quite this... rugged."

"Yes, Your Grace, it’s the very same road," Aaron confirmed. "It’s usually much smoother, but this past week has taken its toll, it appears. I’ll be sure to report it for urgent repair when we return."

"It’s fine, Aaron," Suzy replied, settling back against the cushions, though more gingerly this time. "Just please, do be more careful for the remainder of the journey."

"I will, Your Grace. My utmost care," Aaron assured her, his relief palpable.

The carriage resumed its progress, now at a more sedate pace. Noah turned back to Suzy, his brow still furrowed with concern. "I hope you aren’t badly hurt, Your Grace? That was quite a knock."

Suzy waved a dismissive hand, though her head still ached. "Oh, I’m perfectly fine, Noah, thank you. Just a little bump. Please don’t make a fuss over it." She offered him a reassuring smile, but as she leaned back, a familiar weariness began to creep over her.

The journey continued, but a question lingered insistently in Suzy’s mind, a quiet, nagging whisper beneath her outward composure. "Am I really fine?" she asked herself. It wasn’t just the bump on her head. She’d noticed it for days now, perhaps even a few weeks – a persistent, bone-deep tiredness that seemed to settle upon her more easily than it used to.

Simple tasks sometimes felt draining, and her usual vibrant energy often flagged by late afternoon. She had more moments where she just wanted to curl up and sleep than she ever remembered having before.

Another thought came to her, a rational explanation she clung to. "Maybe it’s just all the stress," she reasoned silently. The preparations for the charity auction tomorrow, followed immediately by the large-scale orphanage jubilee the afternoon after, were demanding. And before that, Evan’s funeral, Ryan’s brief period with the king... it had been a trying time. "Yes, that must be it. After the jubilee is over, and things calm down, I’ll feel like myself again. Still," she resolved, "I’ll ask Mrs. Agnes to discreetly arrange for Dr. Abernathy to pay a visit for a check-up. Just to be on the safe side." The thought of a medical examination was slightly daunting, but the persistent fatigue was beginning to worry her more than she liked to admit.

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The familiar sight of the Chateau Valeré, with its warm honey-colored stone and sprawling ivy-covered walls, was a welcome one. As the carriage rolled to a stop in the bustling courtyard, Suzy seemed to shed her weariness like a cloak.

The courtyard was already a hive of activity. Servants hurried back and forth, carrying bolts of colorful fabric, boxes of new shoes, and stacks of freshly laundered linens. The scent of baking bread and roasting meats wafted from the kitchens, mingling with the sweet perfume of flowers being arranged in large baskets.

"Right then," Suzy announced, her voice clear and carrying easily over the din as she clapped her hands together lightly to gather attention. Staff members immediately paused in their tasks, turning towards her with expectant faces. "Let’s have a quick review of where we stand for the jubilee tomorrow."

And so began a series of rapid instructions and orders. "Mrs. Cook," she addressed the head cook, a portly woman with flour dusting her apron, "are the spiced fruit tarts and the miniature meat pies progressing well? Remember, double the usual quantity for the children – their appetites are boundless! And the lemonade, plenty of it."

"Yes, Your Grace, all on schedule!" Mrs. Cook beamed.

"Excellent. Mister Horace," she turned to the estate carpenter, who was overseeing the construction of several brightly painted game stalls, "are the new puppet theatre and the sack race lanes ready? And the swings for the younger ones?"

"Just putting the finishing touches on the theatre now, Your Grace," he replied, touching his cap. "The swings are sturdy and tested."

"Wonderful!" Suzy’s gaze swept around.

"The new smocks and trousers for all the children – have they arrived from the village seamstress, and have they been sorted by size? And the toys! I want to see a mountain of spinning tops, dolls, wooden soldiers, and skipping ropes ready for distribution. Each child is to receive at least two new playthings." She continued, moving from one group of servants to another, her energy infectious, her attention to detail meticulous. "All these items must be carefully packed and ready to be transported to the jubilee grounds at the orphanage immediately following the charity auction tomorrow morning. No delays. I will be at the auction in the morning so I won’t have the time."

After nearly an hour of bustling activity, during which she addressed countless queries and ensured every aspect of the jubilee preparations was on track, Suzy finally paused. She saw the happy, diligent faces of the staff, all working with a genuine enthusiasm that warmed her heart. They knew how much this event meant to her, and to the children.

"Mrs. Agnes," she said, turning to the head housekeeper, who had been quietly taking notes beside her. "I leave you to oversee the final details here. You know my wishes precisely."

"Of course, Your Grace. Everything will be perfect," Mrs. Agnes assured her with a confident smile.

"Thank you." Suzy felt a wave of the earlier fatigue wash over her now that the immediate flurry of orders was done.

"Irene," she called to her handmaiden, who had been patiently waiting. "Please come with me to my chambers. I believe it’s time for me to... rewind, just a little, before luncheon." A quiet hour to rest and gather her strength was exactly what she needed.