“Is he not family?” the Duchess asked.
“You know what I meant, Mother,” Hannah responded, keeping her voice low. As usual, Lady Rosamund and Lady Violet were busying themselves with each other but Hannah didn’t want them picking up on anything. “He is a guest here and when he’s done with his business with Father, he’ll be gone.”
“He is your father’s cousin,” the Duchess said. “And I was beginning to think he was your friend, as well.”
“Mother!”
“Am I wrong?” The Duchess looked at her, surprise in her eyes. “Well, forgive me then. You two have been spending so much time together that I thought maybe your relationship has grown fonder.”
“I know what you’re trying to do.”
“Oh, do you now?” It annoyed Hannah to hear the mirth in her mother’s voice, because then she wanted to laugh as well, despite the seriousness of the conversation.
“You’re trying to use your wits on me, Mother,” Hannah said. “It won’t work.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” The Duchess smiled. “It’s sweet that you think that.”
Hannah didn’t get a chance to respond before her father entered. He was always late to gatherings. Hannah didn’t know why. She wondered if it was because he wanted to give everyone time to gather, or perhaps he just liked making an entrance. Either way, he stepped into the room ready to get started.
Of course, he made a beeline for his usual chair and sat, sweeping his gaze across the room. “I’m happy to see that you’re all here.”
“What is it you would like to speak to us about?” Her Grace asked.
“Since this is a matter concerning everyone residing in the household, I thought it best to have you all gather here,” the Duke said by way of explanation, his gaze resting on Mr. Albertson.
Hannah took that as her opportunity to look at him. He simply nodded to the Duke’s words, his finger lingering over his lip in thought. He was lounging casually, one leg perpendicular to the other, completely at ease with his surroundings. Hannah didn’t know why that made her heart pound. She was beginning to think that everything about this gentleman made her heart go a little crazy.
His gaze darted to her. Hannah blinked, straightening, her heart speeding up at being caught staring at him. But she didn’t look away. She didn’t have the power to. Mr. Albertson kept her there, staring, her lungs failing her.
Can he hear my thudding heart? Does he notice the blush creeping up my neck? What is he thinking about right now?
Hannah could see heat in his eyes—and it bothered her that she couldn’t decipher it. She couldn’t tell if it was anger, annoyance, confusion. Or if it was the same yearning shining at her that threatening to consume her entire body.
The Duke was speaking. She knew that. And it was important she should tear her gaze away from his and listen. She knew she had to—so why was it so impossible?
Mr. Albertson broke it first. He closed his eyes briefly, then when they reopened, they settled on the Duke. Hannah felt the air rush out of her body and just like that, the spell he had casted was broken. Unnerved, she looked back at her father, willing herself to focus on the things that were being said instead of the enigmatic gentleman sitting in the corner.
“This is a little short notice,” the Duke was saying. “I was a bit surprised myself, but I fear I have little say in the matter. Another guest will be joining us at the manor.”
“Another guest?” Lady Rosamund spoke up, sitting up excitedly.
“Who is it? Who is it?” Lady Violet asked eagerly.
The Duke leaned forward, his eyes twinkling. “A Prince,” he whispered to them as if they were the only ones he planned on sharing the secret with.
But everyone else in the room had heard and the Duchess gasped, her hand flying to her throat. “A Prince?” she echoed, incredulous.
The Duke straightened with a nod. “The Prince of Denmark will be paying us a visit within the month.”
“Why such little notice?” Mr. Albertson asked from behind. Hannah visibly stiffened at his voice. Though he was present, she hadn’t actually expected him to say anything.
The Duke sighed. “The King informed me of the Prince’s arrival only this morning and the Prince had already set out by then. I believe he is well on his way so we should prepare for his arrival. Of course, the manor is large enough to suit us all comfortably so you needn’t worry about feeling clustered.”
Mr. Albertson didn’t respond. At least, not verbally. Hannah didn’t dare turn around to see if he had nodded. She didn’t trust herself a second time around.
Hannah’s sisters were trying their best to contain themselves in their excitement. Hannah felt a tremor of her own excitement at the Duke’s announcement. They hosted guests all the time. Gresham was a big territory with wonderful sites and thriving people. Open areas were perfect for riding and the forest was very suitable for hunting. Hannah never minded having people come in and out of the manor, knowing that they wouldn’t be there for long. In fact, Mr. Albertson was the only guest they had that was likely to stay for a while.
A Prince, however, was something else entirely. Hannah didn’t know much about Denmark. She’d learned a bit about the country and its monarchy during her lessons when she was younger, but they hadn’t lingered on the topic. She wondered if there were any books in the library that would help prepare her for the Prince’s arrival. She didn’t want to be caught clueless.
“How long will the Prince be staying?” the Duchess asked.
“Only a few weeks,” her husband replied. “The Prince’s grandmother is looking to strengthen relations with England. So, this isn’t just a social call.”
Even Hannah’s sisters settled down at that. They understood the weight of the words as much as everyone else did. But the Duke didn’t linger long on it. He smiled and stood. “For now, there’s no need to worry. You can all be at ease before the Prince comes.”
“You say that as if we can’t be at ease when he’s here, Your Grace,” the Duchess said amicably.
The Duke sighed, shaking his head. “That isn’t what I meant. You know what I...oh, never mind.”
Hannah chuckled along with her mother. Her father’s lips twitched into his own smile and his gaze softened at his wife’s laughing face. The room grew considerably lighter at the playful tones and Hannah took that as a good enough reason to look back at Mr. Albertson.
She hoped he was smiling. She would have like to see it, only just now noticing that he was yet to smile in front of her since coming to the manor. Hannah didn’t realize how much hope she had placed in that until she caught his face and saw how unamused he looked. He hadn’t moved and his eyes were on the floor, as if in thought.
Hannah looked away before she was caught again. She didn’t need him knowing just how interested she was in him, though she had a feeling he was already aware.
“That’s all I needed to say,” said the Duke as farewell. He gave everyone a smile, his eyes lingering on the Duchess before he left. Hannah watched her mother stare after him, a tiny smile of her own playing on the Duchess’ lips.
“Mother?” Lady Violet spoke up. Hannah looked at her sisters to see Lady Rosamund pushing her gently, as if urging her to speak louder. Lady Violet cleared her throat and said, “May Lady Rosamund and I go into town with Miss Jolley?”
The Duchess made a show of thinking about it. Hannah would have jumped in to help convince her for her sisters’ sake, but at that moment, Mr. Albertson walked by. He said nothing as he left, and Hannah wasn’t so sure anyone else felt his absence as much as she did.
The moment he walked by her, tingles raced up her spine. Her breath caught in her throat and that lady hidden deep within, the one that yearned for his touch, reared her head. Hannah tried not to give anything away as she watched him leave, though she knew no one was paying her any mind. She shielded her features, brought her shoulders back and prepared herself—because she knew that no matter where he was going, she was go
ing to follow him.
Chapter 12
Rowland knew she was following him. She wasn’t very sneaky about it, and he briefly wondered if she was doing that on purpose. She struck him as the type to be very open about the things she did and the things she said.
But no, she was following him and she was trying her best to be discreet. She must have known it wasn’t possible to do that in long hallways that served little protection. At times, he would catch her attempting to hide behind a large vase, which might have worked if her gown hadn’t given her away.
Rowland supposed he should have been annoyed by it. He liked his peace and he wasn’t looking to be friends with anyone in the manor, though he knew he had to be friendly. Yet, Lady Hannah continued to pursue him like no other. She constantly roped him into going riding with her and Rowland told himself that being polite to his hosts obligated him to accept her invitations. That way, riding with her meant he was acting to please his hosts and not himself.
Yet, she was following him and he wasn’t annoyed. He didn’t feel bothered or pestered. He was enjoying it. It amused him to catch a glimpse of her peeking around the corner at him, then grabbing her skirts and hurrying after him before he got too far away. He took discreet looks, much more discreet than she was, and so he didn’t think she noticed he was aware of her acting as a distant shadow.
More than just enjoying it, though, Rowland felt his chest tingle with excitement, images flashing through his mind that he tried his hardest to ignore. In his mind, he would lead her down a quiet hallway, or far from the rest of the family. Or perhaps into an uninhabited room. They would be alone, away from any eyes. She would flush at him the way she did at the stream earlier this morning and his trousers would grow tight in response to the innocent, yet longing look in her eyes.
No. Stop thinking like that.
Again, guilt rocked his body, its magnitude nearly making him pause. The pain of Miss Flynn’s rejection still ached, and he wasn’t sure if picturing Lady Hannah in such inappropriate situations was digging the knife in deeper, or slowly pulling it out.
She was still following him, damn near tip-toeing at this point, which he found incredibly amusing. Rowland turned down another hall, slowing his steps then turning his head at just the right angle to make it look like he was taking in the old paintings on the wall. In truth, he saw her in his peripheral vision, peeping around the corner then picking up her skirt and hurrying after him in what he assumed was the most ladylike manner she could. He hid his smile.
Finally, he reached his destination—the library. He deliberately left the door slightly ajar, to make it easier for her, and headed over to the tall bookshelves lining the wall. He chose his position carefully, grabbing a random book off the shelf and pretending to flip through it.
Soon enough, she stuck her head in. She wasn’t very cautious about it. She caught sight of him and after a few moments, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. She still didn’t announce her presence, so Rowland didn’t acknowledge it, waiting for her to make her move.
“Is that book interesting?” she asked finally. Rowland nearly laughed out loud.
Instead, he shook his head. Perhaps he could have feigned surprise, but he didn’t care to. He closed the book and looked at her. “I don’t know. I’m just perusing.” And to make things interesting, he added, “Is that why you’re here, as well?”
She answered quickly, without breaking character. “The library is one of my favorite places in the manor. I come here all the time to take advantage of my father’s vast collection.”
“Yes, vast is one thing you could call it,” he mused aloud. He closed the book and returned it to the shelf, facing her. “I reckon it would take years to go through everything in here.”
“And His Grace is always adding to it. You understand my predicament then.”
She laughed gently. Rowland was suddenly hit with the realization that they were alone in the room, like they had been in his imagination. He knew deep within that this was wrong. Her shadow should be with her, the maid that always followed her around. They couldn’t be alone like this.
But all he could focus on was how flushed she looked, a little breathless, though she was trying to hide it. Trying to keep up with him had taken its toll and her chest rose and fell more generously than usual. Rowland tried not to stare, but keeping his eyes on her face instead was just as dangerous. Her pouty lips were parted, her mismatched eyes looking elsewhere. They glowed from the distance, taunting him. He feared that when she looked at him, she would know exactly what he was thinking.
If she could, then she would have already. And she would stay far away from me.
Unless her interest in him was similar to his interest in her.
Rowland looked away when her eyes sought him, annoyed he was caught staring. “Where is your maid?” he blurted out, harsher than he wanted it to be.
“Lily? Hmm, I’m sure she’s somewhere looking for me. She’ll find me soon enough.”
Her light tone didn’t make this any easier on him. It didn’t look like she cared that they were alone together, no matter how large the room was.
“I believed she would be worried about you if you disappear for too long,” he said. He was glad that she didn’t come any closer. The distance was helping.
Lady Hannah waved her hand dismissively. “She worries about me all the time. I always tell her that if she doesn’t stop soon, she’s bound to age much faster than her years.”
“You do strike me as the type to do things that would worry anyone.”
“Are you worried about me, Mr. Albertson?”
The question hung in the air a second longer than it should have. “No,” he responded. “I have no reason to be.”
She laughed but he didn’t. He was more worried for himself. Lust was one thing, but he could usually control himself. Why couldn’t he where Lady Hannah was concerned?
“I’m just jesting, Mr. Albertson. I don’t expect you to be.” She moved, wandering over to a shelf and brushing her fingers against the old spines. “My father’s announcement must have made you uncomfortable, since you left in such a hurry.”
“On the contrary, I felt relieved to know that the Duke and his family wouldn’t feel burdened with making me feel comfortable all the time. Their attention would be elsewhere.”
And maybe it’ll be easier for me to stay away from you.
“Would you prefer it that way, Mr. Albertson?” she asked, her tone soft.
Rowland couldn’t tell if there was something off about her question or if he was just imagining it. “I think we would all be more comfortable if I were treated like family.”
Her smile was quick and all consuming. It made her face bright and Rowland was very annoyed with his sudden instinct to step closer in light of it. “That’s what I like to hear, Mr. Albertson. We are, are we not? I’m sure if I were to tell Lily that, she would leave us alone more often.”
Silence descended into the air before she chuckled awkwardly. “That was another joke, Mr. Albertson. My goodness, I fear my sense of humor isn’t settling very well with you.”
He might have laughed if he hadn’t been so enamored with the idea. “I’m sure I’ll get used to it.”
“In time, I suppose. Do you like reading?”
“I read all the time in the colony,” he answered without thinking. “My mother enjoyed reading. She believed the only way to true knowledge was to read as much as you can.”
“And you adopted that way of thinking from her, I assume?”
“Yes, I did.” He thought back on the tiny woman who constantly preached the importance of reading. “She didn’t like when I wasn’t reading. So much so that she would butt heads with my father at times since they had different views on what I should be doing.”’
Lady Hannah chuckled. Rowland nearly jumped. He hadn’t realized how close she had come. Now, she was standing next to him, soft gaze running over the books before her though he doubted she was
really seeing any of them. “Sounds like you grew up in a very happy home, Mr. Albertson.”
“Is that what you received from what I said?”
“Of course,” she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “You had parents who were very invested in your welfare and upbringing. Not the same can be said of many others. Most children in England are passed on to a governess until they are old enough. Or, at least until they have outgrown the age at which they are normally seen as a nuisance.”
“Is that how you were raised, Lady Hannah?”
She shook her head vehemently. “Quite the opposite. I must admit, the first few years of life were a little rocky. I moved around a lot but I was young, so I didn’t mind all that much. And when I finally settled down at the manor, I was given the chance to have the sort of childhood other English children of the gentry were offered.”
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