by Laura Landon
She lifted her gaze. “I couldn’t, my lord. You will need—”
“I will need nothing. I am perfectly capable of finding whatever Cook leaves out for me to eat. I’m sure there will be some bread and cheese, plus whatever pastries that are left over from tonight. If that is suitable to you, we will dine on that.”
“That is more than enough for me, but—”
“That’s an order, Mrs. Moore. When the last of the staff is out the door, you are free to do whatever you please for the rest of the day. You may make use of the library and read as long as you want. You might go for a walk or simply sit outside in the garden. It will be just you and me. The day will be ours to do whatever we wish.”
The idea of having a day off excited her more than she imagined it would. After working weeks of long hours, to be able to relax with a book in her hands, or take a walk around the estate would be a dream come true.
She chose to ignore the niggling unease because she and Lord Halverston would be the only ones in the house tomorrow. But she wouldn’t concern herself over that. Temple Hall was massive. Surely she could manage to stay out of his path for one day.
Nearly an entire day to herself. She felt a smile lift the corners of her mouth. “That sounds delightful. In fact, I believe that is almost as wonderful as waking up on Christmas morning.”
“Then that is what we will pretend it is—a holiday. A very special holiday.”
Isobel was too excited to finish the food on her plate. Life wasn’t perfect, but it was much better than it had been in a long, long time.
She only hoped it would last.
. . .
Alex stood before the window in his study and looked upward. The sky was clear, not a raincloud in sight. The sun shone brightly, and a slight breeze moved the leaves on the trees.
The weather was perfect for the fair. He was glad. He’d never heard so much giggling from the staff, or laughter, or excitement in their voices. Even Holmes walked at a more spritely pace, and Alex wasn’t sure, but he thought he’d glimpsed a smile on the serious butler’s face, something Alex didn’t think he’d ever seen before.
There was a rap on the door, and Alex turned to find Holmes entering with the post.
“Are you certain you wouldn’t prefer that I remain here today, my lord? You may have need of me.”
“There won’t be anything I need that I’m incapable of getting or doing myself. It’s not as if you will be gone a week. It’s only a matter of a few hours. And you deserve those hours to enjoy yourself as much as anyone, Holmes.”
“I wouldn’t mind staying behind though, my lord. Fairs are mostly for the young.”
“And who do you think you are, Holmes? Methuselah? I dare say you’re not too old to enjoy yourself. Even if only for one night.”
“Yes, my lord. If you insist.”
“I do.” Alex walked to his desk and picked up the letters that Holmes had placed on the corner of it. The letter on top was from his sister. He placed it in the front where he couldn’t miss it. He’d answer it today. He swore he would. It had been too long since he’d written her. If he wasn’t careful, Claire would tire of being ignored and force her husband, Major Samuel Bennett, to deliver her to Temple Hall so she could make sure her brother was all right.
There were two more missives, both from local gentry. No doubt wanting him to attend the spring assembly since he was at Temple Hall. Or an invitation to the church bazaar or a charity affair. He’d open those later and decide what excuse he might come up with to avoid going.
And there were the papers, The Times, and one of the gossip sheets. He didn’t look to see which one. No doubt Mrs. Moore would enjoy reading it.
“Did you give Mrs. Moore the shillings I requested?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Has she handed them out yet?”
A smile lifted the corners of Holmes’s mouth. The second smile Alex had seen on his face. And both on the same day. “No, my lord. I believe she has something special in mind.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Mrs. Moore asked that all the staff line up in the entryway before they leave. She hasn’t said a word about the money and made me promise that I wouldn’t either.”
Alex noticed the glint in his butler’s eyes. It was obvious that Holmes was excited and couldn’t wait to see what Mrs. Moore had in mind as a special treat.
“When will the staff leave?”
“In a few minutes, my lord. Mrs. Moore said they were free to assemble as soon as the kitchen was cleaned up after the noon meal and everyone had changed for the fair. Considering the speed with which everyone worked, the kitchen should be spick-and-span in record time. Even Toby had a broom in his hands—quite a concession for a footman, I dare say. No doubt because he was anxious to take his lass, Nell, out for the day.”
“Well, you’re done here, Holmes. Get ready for the fair, and enjoy your day off.”
“I will, my lord. Thank you. The whole staff wants you to know how grateful they are to you for giving them leave to attend the fair.”
“They deserve it,” Alex said, then sat down with Claire’s letter as Holmes left the room. He was immensely curious as to the kind of send-off Mrs. Moore had in mind for the staff, but thought it best to keep his distance, to give her center stage, so to speak. He’d stay here until he heard commotion in the hall.
He opened Claire’s letter, but didn’t have time to read it before he heard the staff gathering in the entryway. Alex stepped across the room and opened the door enough to hear what was being said. He remained out of sight, though. He didn’t want Lady Isobel or any of the staff to see him.
With his back against the wall, he listened until everyone was assembled and his housekeeper greeted the servants. Her voice was pleasant, her words filled with excitement.
Her first words were a warning, especially to the female staff to stay within sight of the others and not go off with any strangers. Next, she told them she expected them all to be back by midnight.
There was a slight mumble, followed by a laugh, because nearly all of them would be in long before then. Especially when she informed them that they would be expected to complete their tasks as usual tomorrow, and that meant rising at six in the morning.
“Finally,” she said, “I would like you to form a circle.”
Alex heard confused whispers, followed by the shuffling of feet. When the sound of people moving stopped, Lady Isobel issued her next order.
“Now I would like you to hold out your right hand, palm up.”
There were several giggles, followed by a few teasing remarks as a few of the staff had to be told that they were holding out the wrong hand.
When everyone had followed Lady Isobel’s order, she continued. “Now, I would like everyone to close their eyes. You, too, Holmes.”
There were more giggles.
“Be sure you don’t open your eyes, now,” she said. “I have something to give you, but only if you keep your eyes closed and don’t look.”
The excitement was building. Alex heard it in everyone’s answers as they voiced their agreement.
“When you receive your gift, I want you to quickly close your hand. If you don’t, I may decide to snatch back your gift.”
There were more titters and giggles and nervous chuckles.
“Oh, what is it, Mrs. Moore?” a small female voice asked. “Hurry! I can’t wait.”
Everyone agreed, and Alex tipped his head back until it rested against the wall. As he listened, he realized his smile stretched so broadly his cheeks hurt. He hadn’t experienced such simple joy in . . . forever.
“Are all of your eyes closed?”
“Yes!” they said excitedly.
“Very well. Don’t forget to close your hand quickly, or you might lose your gift.”
Alex knew the moment she placed the first coin in the first servant’s hand. There was one gasp after another as they realized what they’d been given. He knew they were all
dying to open their eyes and take a look, but he doubted any of them did. No one would want to chance losing an extra coin.
Finally, the last of the gifts were handed out, and Lady Isobel addressed the staff. “You may open your eyes and look at what’s in your palm.”
The gasps and cries of pleasure echoed in the entryway. Several of the men boomed shouts of approval as well as appreciation. A few of the females sniffled their tears into handkerchiefs. And one female, a young lass from the sound of her voice, had to ask what the coin was.
“It’s a shilling, Delsey. Twelve pence,” one of the footmen answered. “That’s more money than you’ll probably ever see in your whole life.”
There was a moment of silence, then the young lass said, “Cook, would you hold on to my fortune for me?”
“Of course, Delsey. But what if you want to spend some of it?”
“Then I’ll come to get you, and you can tell me if it’s all right for me to spend my money on what I want.”
There were whispers of approval from several of the staff, and then it was quiet. Mrs. Moore must have motioned for silence.
“The day is wasting,” she said, “so you’ll be wanting to go. But first I want you to know that your gift comes from His Lordship, the Marquess of Halverston. He wanted each and every one of you to have a wonderful time. And so do I.”
“You’ll tell His Lordship thank you from all of us, won’t you, Mrs. Moore?” one of the men asked. Alex thought it was Toby.
“I most certainly will. Now go. Have a wonderful day. And don’t stay out too late.”
“We won’t,” a chorus of voices echoed as the door opened and the commotion in the entryway lessened, then quieted.
At the sound of the front door closing, Alex stepped out of the study and walked down the hallway. He stopped when he saw her.
Lady Isobel stood alone in the center of the entryway. She stood still as a statue, her eyes focused on the closed door, as if she envied the staff their freedom. As if she wished she could have joined them. He wondered if she did.
Alex looked at the contented expression on her face. She was fond of the staff and took great pleasure in being able to give them enough money to enjoy the day, plus have coins left over.
He took a step toward her and she turned. There was a smile on her face.
“You should have seen them, my lord.” Her voice was husky with emotion. “I’ve never seen such elation in my life. I’ve never seen such joyous surprise. They asked me to thank you.”
There was a dampness in her eyes.
Alex tried to understand the confused emotions that surged through him. He struggled with the warring sensations but failed to comprehend what he felt. The shift of his heart in his chest puzzled him. The tug that caused his heart to skip a beat mystified him. He was perplexed by what he felt for her.
“Thank you, my lady.” He took another step toward her. “You are a rare individual, Mrs. Moore. And I am very happy that you are my housekeeper.” He paused. “Even though you are much more than a housekeeper. Aren’t you?”
Her gaze lowered and her cheeks turned dark.
She didn’t know what he meant.
Neither did he.
Chapter 11
Isobel considered how she would spend her free day. There was so much she wanted to do. She wanted to finish the book she’d started and choose another from the new books Lord Halverston had added to the library.
She wanted to read the papers most recently delivered for any mention of her sister and a betrothal to Lord Partmoore.
She wanted to walk through the gardens at Temple Hall, and over the meadows. And especially, she wanted to search for the stream Holmes said ran through the estate.
And . . . although she hesitated to admit it, she wanted to spend a few moments with His Lordship, the Marquess of Halverston.
He’d had another dream last night, although it hadn’t been as horrific as the others she’d witnessed. By the time she reached his room, Boswick had calmed him, and he was sleeping again. This morning he rose at his normal time, so that indicated he’d had at least a little sleep. But she couldn’t help but think that if she discovered the cause of his nightmares, they would come less frequently.
Yet, being alone with him was the last thing she should allow. Getting to know him better put her in more danger than she could protect herself from. Allowing emotions to surface that she’d tried so hard to tamp down was the most ill-advised thing she could do.
But now, after watching the staff excitedly leave for the fair, she felt a pang of wistfulness at being alone while everyone else went off to enjoy their day. She felt melancholic at having been left behind.
Feeling downhearted was silly, of course. Yet, she felt a compelling desire to enjoy someone’s company other than her own.
She focused on the Marquess of Halverston’s words as he stood next to her speaking quietly.
“I enjoyed how you made handing out the coins so special. The excitement it built in the staff was contagious.”
“You saw them?”
He shook his head. “I heard them. My door was open, and I listened. You were marvelous.”
“I knew how excited they were. I’ve listened to their plans for weeks. It was impossible to miss how much they anticipated the day off to go to the fair. Your generosity only added to their excitement. I wanted to make it as special as possible.”
“Then you achieved your goal, my lady.”
Isobel didn’t even think to correct him for using her title. It made her feel . . . special.
“So, what are your plans for the day? Have you decided what you wish to do?”
“Yes. Except I already know my list is far too long to accomplish everything before the day is over.”
“Then my suggestion would be to do the one thing you’ve looked forward to the most. What would that be?”
Isobel smiled. “You are going to think me silly, my lord.”
“I doubt I could ever think you silly, my lady.”
She lowered her gaze. “Shortly after I arrived, Holmes told me there was a stream that ran through Temple Estate. He said it was the most beautiful spot on the property.” She shifted her gaze to the window. “It is so lovely out, I would like to take a walk and see if I can find it.”
“Yes,” he answered. “Holmes is correct. It is one of the most beautiful places on the estate.” He hesitated a moment, then gave her his full attention. “Did you prefer to spend the day alone, my lady? If so, I believe I could give you adequate directions that you could find it. Otherwise . . .”
“Yes?”
“If you wouldn’t mind my company, I would be delighted to show you the way. It has been some time since I myself have visited it.”
“I find that a most agreeable suggestion, my lord.”
A smile broadened his face enough that dimples deepened in both cheeks. An unexpected heat grew with stunning speed inside her chest.
“I’d advise you to get a bonnet, then, and I’ll provide a blanket for us to sit on. Relaxing on the bank and watching the water rush by is peaceful beyond imagination.”
“I won’t be but a minute then,” she said as she turned to the stairs. She could hardly stop herself from running to her room like an excited schoolgirl. Spending the afternoon with the Marquess of Halverston was the most foolish thing she could do. But suddenly she didn’t care. This was her special day, and there was nothing she’d enjoy more than spending it with the marquess.
She snatched up her bonnet and tied it quickly, then raced back down the stairs. His Lordship was waiting when she reached the bottom.
“It will be shorter if we go onto the terrace and through the garden. Do you need a shawl?”
“I doubt it. I love the outdoors, and the weather seems perfect.”
“Very well, then.” He held out his arm.
Isobel accepted his offer and walked with him across the terrace, through the garden, then down a faint path across a meadow. She w
as in heaven. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed the out-of-doors. How much she’d missed the sun shining down on her, the breeze blowing on her face. She felt like she had when her governess released her from the classroom, and she was able to escape the confines of the four schoolroom walls. She wanted to skip through the meadow but knew that would be most unladylike.
“We’ll go this way,” he said when they reached the edge of the meadow.
He took her hand and led her into a copse of trees. It was like a wooded fairyland. Bowing branches of huge maple trees fanned above them, shading them as they walked through a darkened tunnel. The effect was magical.
And then she heard it—the gentle whispering of currents making their way downstream.
Isobel couldn’t contain the excitement coursing through her. Without realizing she’d done it, she released Lord Halverston’s hand and rushed forward.
The sound of the babbling stream grew louder. She hurried her steps in her eagerness to reach the stream.
She wasn’t as close as she thought. It took her several more steps before she broke through the shaded darkness and into a scene that stole her breath.
Before her wasn’t simply a stream so clear and clean that you could see to its very depths. Or see in vivid clarity the fish that swam past her in graceful lines. Or the smooth pebbles that lay on the streambed, or the larger rocks that either peeked above or towered beyond the water.
There was more. There were colors so vibrant and green, so crimson and gold. They defied imagining. The beauty wrapped around her heart and held it. But most of all, she was affected by the mammoth trees that stretched out across the water as if their limbs were fingers reaching to touch the extending branches of special friends on the other side of the stream.
The peacefulness was indescribable. She felt as if she’d been wrapped in comforting arms. As if she’d stepped into a most magical glade and had been cocooned in a warmth and security that was found no place else on earth.
“I don’t need to ask if you like it,” he said from beside her. “The expression on your face says that you do.”
