by Rose Pearson
“My father died only a few months after my mother,” he said, softly, “although they were both of many years and had lived a very good life. It was as if my father could not contemplate life here on this earth without her, even though their marriage was an arrangement between both families.”
There was nothing but the sound of horse’s hooves on the stony path for a moment or two as Miss Smith appeared to contemplate what he had said.
“You do not believe that there can be genuine affection in an arrangement, then?” she asked, her cheeks a little pink.
A rueful smile caught his lips. “There was not in my own, Miss Smith.”
Her blush deepened. “Oh. I see. I cannot imagine such a state of being, Royston, but then again, that is because such a thing does not occur in Smithfield Market.”
A little interested, he lifted one eyebrow. “One can marry whoever one pleases?”
“Of course.”
“And….” He stopped, realizing what he was about to ask and consider just how inappropriate it would be to do so. He could not ask her if she had any considerations to marry in the near future, feeling heat rising up his chest as he turned his eyes back to the path and away from Miss Smith.
“Perhaps in the future, when it comes time for you to consider your own path, you might find a lady who will bring you the same happiness your own parents had in their lives,” she murmured, quietly. “I do hope that for you, your grace.”
“You are very sweet to say so,” he replied, quietly. “Thank you, Miss Smith. I shall be sorry to say goodbye to you when it is time for you to return.”
The curve of her lips dropped and the light faded from her eyes. “Indeed, I shall be sorry too, although I must return to the rest of the girls who need me.”
His interest grew. “And how many have you at this present moment?”
“Twelve,” she said, heavily. “And that does not include Elouise.” Shaking her head, her lips caught in a wry smile. “I ought not to complain, but I do worry about them. Mary Sanders is often inclined to do nothing more than consider the practical workings of the orphanage and without my presence to temper that, I fear that she may have gone a little overboard. There is another in my place, Helen, but she is only new and may not quite understand how best to deal with Mary Sanders.”
John watched her closely, seeing her concerned expression and felt his affection and regard for the lady grow. “You truly do care for these girls, do you not, Miss Smith?”
She looked at him sharply. “Of course I do. How could I not? I have been in their situation. I know the pain and the grief and the terror that comes with being in such a dark place. I have a responsibility towards them even though it is, I confess, very difficult at times.”
“Difficult?”
Sighing, Miss Smith looked away. “I ought not to complain, Royston, for I have employment and food and a roof over my head and that is more than many can say. But yes, the work is hard, and the hours are long and I often find myself bone weary. To have come here and experienced what life is like for those who have plenty has been a respite for me and I am truly grateful for it.”
“Then perhaps you will have to come back at the same time next year,” he said, with a small murmur of satisfaction in his heart at the idea. “So that you do not fade away to nothing.”
She laughed then, the tension gone from her and he found himself joining in. Their conversation turned to brighter things and they made a very merry pair as they returned to the stables at Royston manor.
9
As the weeks passed, Laura discovered that the change in the Duke of Royston had, despite her doubts, become permanent. He was laughing and smiling a good deal more now, his eyes bright and warm whenever they lingered on either herself or Elouise. It was truly a wonderful transformation and Laura knew that everyone in the house – staff included – were glad to see it.
“Miss Smith?”
She looked up from her book to see none other than the Duke and Elouise hurrying towards her, Elouise’s face beaming with the widest of smiles. She rose from where she had been idly swinging on the garden swing, her coat warming her as the midday sun tried its best to shine with more strength. Her heart quickened as the Duke’s eyes caught her own, his smile growing softer as she held his gaze. Truly, he was a handsome gentleman and even though she berated herself for letting her foolish heart flutter in such a ridiculous fashion, she knew that to even attempt to prevent herself from feeling such things would fail completely.
“My dear Miss Smith!” the Duke called, as they approached her. “We have made an excellent discovery this afternoon.”
“Oh?”
Elouise bounded up to her, throwing her arms around Laura’s waist and making her stagger back as she attempted to keep her footing. A strong hand caught her arm, helping her to stand upright and, as she looked up to thank the Duke, found his hand gentling on her arm, remaining there for just a fraction too long.
“Thank you, Royston,” she murmured, quietly. “It appears Elouise has something of considerable importance to tell me!”
The Duke chuckled and let go of her completely. “That she does,” he agreed, putting one hand on Elouise’s shoulder. “Do you want to tell Miss Smith what we found today?”
“We were exploring,” Elouise said, delightedly, looking up at Laura with wide, excited eyes. “Royston has been helping me to ride the little mare Bluebell, and we wandered into the woods for a time and came across an old, enchanted ruin!”
Laura’s lips twitched as she caught the Duke’s eye, realizing both that he had allowed the child to call him ‘Royston’ and that he had also encouraged her in her wild imagination.
“An enchanted ruin, you say?” she asked, bending down to look into Elouise’s face. “How wonderful! What was so enchanted about it?”
Elouise launched into a wild and wonderful description of the ruin, believing there to be all sorts of creatures nearby and stating that, were they to see it in the darkness, in the middle of the night, then most likely they would discover some enchanted creatures, such as had never been seen before. Laura listened attentively, although she glanced from time to time up at the Duke, seeing the way he was smiling gently at them both and feeling herself grow all the fonder of him. He had chosen to linger on in the light, to find a way forward for himself that would require strength, courage, and fortitude. At times, she saw him slip back into the world he had only just come from, his eyes growing dim, the smile fading from his face. She would do her best to catch his eye, to engage him in conversation, to smile at him and then, with an effort, he would pull himself back to the present. She knew that the sadness and the grief would always be a part of him, but it did not have to overwhelm him any longer. The strength and courage he possessed made her respect him all the more.
“My goodness, Elouise,” she exclaimed, as her charge came to the end of her story about the ruin. “You have had a marvelous afternoon, haven’t you? I trust that you have thanked the Duke for his company today?”
Elouise did not simply smile, look up at the Duke and thank him graciously, but rather she threw her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly, her face scrunched up in an expression of sheer delight.
“Thank you ever so much, Royston,” she exclaimed, as the Duke’s lips curved into a surprised, but pleasant, smile. “I have had the best of days. I am already looking forward to our ride again tomorrow. Do you think we could go back there? And do you think that Miss Smith could join us?”
Her arms loosened around his waist and she looked up at him inquisitively, hope burning in her expression.
“If Miss Smith is willing, then I would be delighted for her to join us,” the Duke replied, warmly, throwing Laura a glance that sent sparks flying into her very soul. “I think another opportunity for Miss Smith to ride would be a very pleasant one.”
She laughed, shaking her head. They had gone out riding a good many times over the last few weeks and she had enjoyed every bit of i
t – except the side saddle. “No matter how much you try to induce a love of the side saddle in me, Royston, I do not think it shall ever come to fruition. I am much too uncouth, I’m afraid.”
He snorted. “Nonsense. You do very well, Miss Smith. Tomorrow it is.”
“Tomorrow,” she agreed, as Elouise let out a whoop of delight. “Now, shall we go in for some refreshments, Elouise? I am sure you must be hungry.”
“I am,” Elouise agreed and, without hesitating, ran full pelt back towards the manor house, leaving Laura and the Duke behind.
Laura let out a small, rueful sigh. “It appears that my teaching on manners is sorely lacking, your grace. I do apologize.”
He chuckled and offered her his arm. “Not in the least, Miss Smith. I find Elouise quite charming just as she is. And, besides which, we are only children once. Shall we walk back together?”
She looked up at him, not quite sure what she was meant to do having never walked with a gentleman before.
“Here,” he said, with a small smile that did not hold even the slightest hint of mockery. “Place your hand under my arm and hold on here.”
Laura could feel the heat radiate from her face as she did so, realizing that this was something of an intimate connection. She kept her face turned towards the house as they began to walk, not able to look at him as they did so.
“Your sister prepares to leave for London at the beginning of next month,” she said, a little hoarsely as her emotions flew all through her, leaving her feeling entirely off balance. “Will you be sorry to see her go?”
There was a short pause. “I do not enjoy the idea of living here alone, no. For when she departs at the end of next month, you and Elouise will return with her, will you not?”
The thought pierced her. “I suppose we will.”
His lips thinned, the light disappearing from his eyes.
“Unless, of course,” she said, slowly, “there is a reason for the situation, such as it is, to change.”
She did not really know what she meant, nor what she was trying to say, but the words kept coming from her regardless.
“I know that Elouise has been very happy here,” she continued, her tongue running away with her. “The thought of returning to London is not a happy one for her, your grace.” Slipping back into formality, she closed her eyes for a moment, only to let them fly open as she drew in a sharp breath, forcing herself to get a hold of her driving emotions.
“What I mean to say is, Royston, let us not think of such things until they are inevitable,” she finished, lamely. “Although I will say that, for myself, I will miss this wonderful place and the delightful company that has come with it.”
There then came a few moments of silence as they continued to walk together, their steps slow and careful. Feeling as though she had said far too much and had not been able to express herself coherently, Laura lapsed into silence, frustrated with herself. She had been trying to suggest, in as gentle a way as possible, that the Duke consider adopting Elouise, but in her struggle to speak carefully, had managed to make a complete cake of herself. It was, however, something that she had begun to hope would occur for Elouise, aware of just how close the young girl was becoming to the Duke. It would be terribly painful for her to be ripped away from Royston manor and the Duke himself only to return to London and the orphanage, but if the Duke did not consider adoption to be something he could manage, then there was nothing else for it. Whilst she had tried her best to remind Elouise about their inevitable return to London, Elouise had always shrugged it off, telling Laura that she was much too busy enjoying herself at this present moment to worry about the future.
“I will miss you all terribly,” the Duke said slowly, breaking the silence. Laura looked up at him to see his brows furrowing, as though he had been lost in the joy of rediscovered happiness to recall that soon, it would all be coming to a close. “I must consider these matters with a good deal more care.”
Her heart lifted with a sudden hope, her lips curving into a glad smile. “Thank you, Royston. I know you will.” Glancing up, she saw Lady Alice at one of the windows and raised a hand in greeting. Lady Alice waved back, a small smile on her face.
“Your sister intends to find herself a husband this Season, I hear,” Laura continued, changing the subject entirely. “She has three suitors, she told me, and you think all of them will suit her which means she has the choice entirely left to her.”
The Duke chuckled, his eyes lighting with mirth. “Indeed, is that what she said?” He shook his head, still laughing. “My dear sister is right to say that she has three suitors but as to my own thoughts on the matter, I find them quite changed, I’m afraid.”
“Oh?” Laura glanced up at him, feeling her own lips spread into a smile at his apparent humor.
“Well,” he continued, as they entered the house. “I have you to thank for that, Miss Smith. When Alice first came to me with news of her suitors, I did not think much of it. I considered that she was wise enough to choose her own husband, caring nothing for her future. Whilst I still believe that she is wise enough to do that, I intend to now take a much more interest in these three particular gentlemen. I must look into their backgrounds, their families, and their financial situation before I am certain they are worthy of her.”
That brought Laura a good deal of satisfaction. “I do believe that is all that Lady Alice is hoping for, Royston,” she said, softly, as they came to a halt in front of the butler and maid, who took their gloves, hats, and coats. “I think she does wish for your involvement.”
“Then she shall get it!” the Duke exclaimed, as the butler and maid stepped away. “Although I am not so certain she will be as pleased with my involvement when she sees just how scrutinizing I will be!”
“Oh no!” Laura laughed, as they made their way along the corridor together. “I shall be to blame for this now also, shall I not?”
The Duke chuckled, stopped and turned to take her hand in his. Without their gloves, his fingers were warm and soft, yet held a strength that seemed to reverberate up her arm. Heat crept up her spine, her face flushing a gentle pink as he bowed over it.
“I must go to my study and attend to some business, Miss Smith,” he murmured, his humor now replaced with something a good deal more intense. “Thank you for walking with me. I have, as always, enjoyed conversing with you, Miss Smith.”
“And I you,” she breathed, her whole body suddenly bursting with life as his lips gently pressed to the back of her hand. And then, as he raised his head and let go of her hand, she felt her limbs suddenly weak, as though overcome by what had occurred and by what she had felt.
“Until dinner, Miss Smith.”
She managed to smile and nod, wondering if she would need to lean on the wall in order to remain standing. “Until dinner, Royston.”
He stepped away from her, walking the short distance until he reached his study. Laura forced her weak legs to walk forward, putting on the appearance of calmness until, finally, when the study door shut, she was able to press one hand against the wall for support as she dragged in a long breath.
“Goodness,” she breathed, her body now tingling all over. “This is getting quite out of hand!”
Closing her eyes, she dragged in a few calming breaths, forcing her heart to quieten itself as she paused there. Her reaction to the feel of his lips against her hand had been extreme, sending a wave of desire crashing all through her. She’d let her mind jump to the idea of having herself wrapped in his arms, of lifting her face to his – and then, of course, recalled that she was nothing more than a poor orphaned young lady and he a Duke of the realm.
The library door opened, and Laura forced herself to stand upright, making slow steps towards the door just as Lady Alice poked her head out.
“Ah, there you are, Miss Smith,” she said, smiling. “I was wondering if you would join me. Might you care for some tea?”
“I was just going to see about Elouise,” Laura replied, hoping
her voice did not betray her. “Although I have very little idea where she has gone to!”
Lady Alice chuckled and beckoned Laura inside. “The maid found her, and she was marched up to her room with the promise that she would have all sorts of delicious goodies once she had allowed herself to be bathed properly. The maid declared, in as loud a voice as she could, that the child smelled of horses and mud! I’m afraid I had to agree.”
Laura chuckled and walked into the library, ringing the bell for tea. “I’m afraid Elouise is still not quite used to regularly bathing but I am sure she will become used to it.”
Lady Alice laughed softly. “I think she will have to, if she is to remain here.”
That had Laura turning quickly, sending Lady Alice a sharp glance. Her hopes flared all over again. “I was just speaking to Royston – I mean, the Duke – about such matters,” she said, quickly, sitting down opposite Lady Alice and keeping her gaze steady. “Do you think there is a chance that the Duke might consider keeping her on here?”
Lady Alice smiled softly. “Are you asking me if I believe my brother is considering adopting the girl, Miss Smith?”
Not quite sure that she was not overstepping the bounds of propriety, Laura gave Lady Alice a slightly jerky nod. “Yes, I believe I am,” she said, hoarsely. “Forgive me if I ought not to be asking such things but –”
“There is nothing to apologize for, Miss Smith,” Lady Alice said, warmly. “I have every intention of encouraging my brother to adopt the girl, for I believe he is beginning to be truly happy once more. The presence of Elouise here has brought such a big change about him that I cannot see how he could send her away now.”
Laura nodded slowly, her fingers knotting together in her lap as she considered it. “I am very glad,” she said, slowly, “for I know that Elouise does also care for the Duke in her own way. I have not seen the girl so happy ever since she first came to the orphanage.”
Lady Alice beamed. “I am glad to hear you say that. It appears that they have both been very good for each other – although, I will say, Miss Smith, that you have had an equally important role in the improvement of his temperament.”
