Duke of fire

by Monroe, Jennifer

  “Well, Miss Harcourt, how are you finding your first days here at Wellesley Manor? I hope your rooms are to your liking.”

  Jane set her spoon on the side of the bowl. “Oh, yes, very much so. I have never had a room so extravagant before.”

  This surprised the Duke. “I am glad to hear that yours is so agreeable,” he replied. “And your first day with Samuel? Did that go well?”

  “Most definitely,” she said, flashing a smile at the boy in question. “He is bright, imaginative, and eager—exactly what a governess would want in a ward.”

  Samuel beamed at the compliment.

  “And you, Samuel, do you find Miss Harcourt satisfactory?”

  Samuel nodded emphatically. “Most definitely,” he replied with a firm tone. “I think she’s quite wonderful.”

  Jane could feel her cheeks warm. “I believe we will learn much while I am with you,” she said.

  The boy gave her a quizzical look. “While you are with me? Are you wanting to leave soon? I hope not because we have so many things to learn and do.”

  “I plan to be here as long as your father will allow,” Jane said, pleased by the young man’s high interest in learning. He truly did have an inquisitive mind, and she hoped to be with him for as long as possible.

  The footman came to remove the remains of the first course and others took his place, trays of various dishes in hand. Venison with sweet preserves, boiled potatoes with butter, peas, and sliced bread. It was a veritable feast, and much more than Jane hoped to eat. She hoped her sleep was not interrupted by an upset stomach after eating too much food.

  The meal continued with light conversation, and Jane found herself enjoying the company of such fine people. Not fine in the sense that the family was titled, but rather that the members of said family were pleasant conversationalists. She filed each topic of interest Samuel discussed so she could build on them during her instruction. Most included the typical subjects of toads and insects—the later cut short by the Duke explaining that such discussion was not appropriate for the dinner table—and other topics about which she knew little but to which she hoped she could find reference. She had always been very resourceful when it came to researching information for her wards.

  By the end of the meal, Jane felt she had learned much about the man who was her employer and his son. She also began to doubt the legitimacy of the rumors she had heard about the Duke and his late wife. How could a man so kind and caring hurt another human being, especially the woman he loved?

  However, Jane also knew that many men were capable of hiding the deepest, darkest of secrets. Was this man one of them?

  She shook the question from her head. Tonight was meant for enjoyment, not speculation. However, she knew she would keep vigilant regardless of how well this evening went, for her very life might depend on it.

  Chapter Seven

  A week had passed since the lovely dinner with the Duke, and now coming to the end of her second week at Wellesley Manor, Jane found herself enjoying her new position more than she could have imagined. Samuel was a wonderful learner, and she was pleased with his attention to her instruction. However, although she enjoyed the boy’s company, she found herself missing the company of other adults, for after that single dinner with the Duke and Samuel, she had not been invited back to their table. Not that she had expected it, per se, for a governess did not share a table with her employer, but knowing how much she enjoyed their conversation made her miss it all the more.

  The other servants in the house were cordial, but no one had the time—or the desire—to converse with her. She understood that her position as governess set her apart from the rest of the servants, but she also was not a member of the family, thus she was somewhere in between the two. It had been the same with her previous employer. Yet, at least there being alone when she was not tending young Arthur had been a reprieve from the roaming eyes of Lord Clarkson.

  Perhaps in a few days she would be allowed a day to visit her cousin Anne. It would be wonderful to spend the day with her and to enjoy her company.

  “Miss Harcourt,” Samuel said, pulling Jane from her thoughts. She pulled the covers up to his chin, “are you going to kiss me goodnight?”

  Jane smiled and leaned over to place a light kiss on the boy’s forehead. “Have a good night’s sleep and dream of rabbits for me,” she said.

  The boy smiled, his eyelids heavy as he fought to keep them open. Inquisitive children oftentimes refused to sleep, and Samuel was no exception. “I will try to catch one for you,” he said and then yawned deeply.

  Jane stood and turned toward the door, and her heart leapt into her throat when she saw the Duke leaning against the door frame. He said nothing as he stepped aside to allow Jane to pass.

  Once the door was closed behind them, he turned toward her. “The sun has not yet set,” he said. Did he sound nervous? “I would like to take a stroll around the gardens and would enjoy it if you accompanied me. I must admit that, outside of a few business acquaintances, I have little opportunity for conversation with others.”

  Had the man listened in on her thoughts? Jane wondered. She racked her brain in an attempt to recall if she had somehow murmured her thoughts aloud, but if she had, Samuel would have commented. She gave him a nod, and without another word, they made their way through the house and stepped onto the veranda into the cool night air. As he had said, the sun had yet to set, though it would not be long before it did so and night befell them.

  “I hope you are settling in well in my home,” the Duke said as they began to stroll down the cobbled path.

  “Yes, Your Grace,” Jane replied. “I have found everything to my liking and much more.”

  He made no further comment as they came to a place where the path split, and they stopped before a large hedge as he seemed to consider in which direction to turn.

  “We will go this way,” he said finally, turning left, away from the house.

  Jane looked ahead as they walked, the boughs of the large trees on either side of the path now blocking the majority of the remaining light. For a moment, the thought of him attacking her for some reason known only to him made her feel frightened, but then she took a deep breath to regain her composure. The man had not given her reason to even consider such silly thoughts and by all accounts seemed kind enough to trust.

  “You do not say much, Miss Harcourt,” he said. “Have I done anything to upset you?”

  “No, not at all, Your Grace,” Jane replied, guilt for thinking such horrible thoughts about the man abounding. “I…well, I know my place and would never presume to speak out of turn…”

  He stopped and stared at her. “Your social standing has nothing to do with us conversing when we are alone. Please, speak freely to me as though we are well-acquainted friends.”

  Jane nodded. This was uncommon. No, unbelievable. No one she had known who was of the Nobility had ever offered her this privilege. “Very well, then,” she replied, surprised that her voice was not shaking. She attempted to come up with a topic safe enough for social conversation. “I look forward to cooler days soon. The temperature has been unbearable as of late.”

  They came to the end of the path and a large field lay before them just on the other side of a low stone wall. The field appeared to roll out and touch the horizon in the distance where the sun peeked out for one final look over the land.

  “I could not agree with you more,” the Duke said. “Soon, winter will return, and another year will have passed.” His voice sounded strained and Jane wondered as to why. “Tell me something, Miss Harcourt. Do you find me the person I have been made out to be?”

  His question caught her off-guard, and Jane was uncertain as to how to respond. If she answered in the negative, then she would be admitting she knew of the rumors concerning him and the death of his wife. If she played ignorant, he would not believe her.

  The Duke seemed to sense her inner battle to reply and turned to face her, and she immediately looke
d to the ground. “Miss Harcourt,” he said, his voice as soft as silk, “a woman of your beauty should hold her head up high, no matter who she stands before.”

  Jane raised her head and looked at the man. “Thank you, Your Grace, for your kind words.”

  “Now, please, do you find me as evil as the rumors say?”

  Jane looked into the Duke’s eyes and for the first time saw the pain they held. Why would a man of his title and wealth concern himself with the wagging tongues of others? However, high or low, all men and women concerned themselves with how others perceived them. In her heart, she knew she should tell him the truth.

  “I have found that your words and actions are quite the opposite from the rumors I have heard. I do not say that to retain my position here; it is simply the truth.”

  The Duke let out a laugh as he pushed his long hair over his shoulder. “Finally, I have found someone who speaks the truth to me. Jenkins has been with me for many years and is my most loyal servant. However, he denies ever hearing rumors about me. Thank you for your honesty, for only a friend would be so honest.”

  Jane smiled, although she was not certain why. Inside she regretted her truthfulness and she was surprised how well the man took the news that rumors did exist. Yet, she knew that, regardless of a person’s station, tongues wagged and people gossiped, and although some did not share in passing along hurtful words, all too many did.

  The Duke turned his gaze back to the field, and Jane followed suit. “I often wonder what would happen if I were to make an appearance in the town,” he said as if he were speaking aloud to himself. “Would others come to find me half the beast they think I am? However, the shame I feel is much too great, and just as Robert has explained to me, it is best if I remain here. It would be best for myself and for Samuel if those wagging tongues were given no more ammunition.”

  Jane glanced over and saw the look of hurt on his face, and a strange thing happened to her. Her heart went out to the man, a feeling of sadness for that pain. For all her words of how speaking of others was terrible, she had to admit that she had participated in gossip on more than one occasion but had never truly seen the effects of it. Although her position was to teach his son, a new obligation came to mind, a way to make right any rumors she had helped spread, even if they had not necessarily concerned him.

  “Your Grace,” she began carefully, “how long has it been since you left your lands?”

  More of the sun disappeared, leaving just a pink haze in its wake, and he gave a heavy sigh. “Nearly six years. After Elizabeth…” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “When I moved to this estate five years ago was the last time I left.”

  Jane was shocked. “That is far too long for anyone to be confined to one place,” she said, attempting to keep admonishment from her tone. Who was she to admonish a Duke? Friend or no, she still knew her place. “You must leave these grounds and begin to make your presence known to one and all. Put everyone at ease and dispel the rumors of who you truly are.”

  “Your words are kind, Miss Harcourt, but there is a problem,” he said as he turned back to her, the last rays of light casting on his face. “My face would scare both woman and child and would only fuel the rumors about me. Right now, there is a question of how badly I was burned, but once they beheld the truth, they would see that I look far worse than they could ever imagine.” He shook his head dejectedly. “No, I am afraid they would only run and hide as soon as I arrived.”

  “Perhaps,” she said. “However, just like my eyes and the ridicule that haunts me, I had to make a choice.”

  “And what was that?”

  “To live in fear or face it,” she stated firmly. “Let those who wish to speak ill of you to do so to your face. They will speak so just the same, for that is all they know. Let those who hide behind their false smiles utter their words of contempt in the open!” Her heart was beating faster and harder and her breathing had shortened, as if she had run a great distance. “You are a strong man in heart and mind, and your legacy will not be diminished by those who are not worthy to speak your name.” Saying the last words, she realized, much to her horror, that she had raised her voice and the authoritative tone made her cheeks heat up to the point she felt feverish. How could she have spoken so forcefully to this man? She had overstepped her bounds, and with head bowed, she offered her apologies.

  “I have spoken out of turn, Your Grace,” she murmured. “I cannot begin to apologize enough. Please, forgive me.”

  The Duke placed a hand on her arm. His touch was gentle and did not make her recoil as had that of Lord Clarkson.

  “There is nothing for which to apologize,” he said with a small smile. “You did as I asked and answered me as a friend would. For that, I am thankful. I will take your words into the greatest consideration.” He glanced up to where the sun had last been. “Now, however, let us return to the house, for the sun has left us.”

  Jane nodded and then set out with the Duke by her side. Although it was dark, the white stones that made up the path guided their steps. And contrary to what the Duke said, she glanced over and saw light in his eyes.

  ***

  The candlelight flickered, casting moving shadows on the wall as the steady patter of light rain pelted against the window. Jane sighed and then smiled as she looked at Samuel as he lay in bed, his eyes heavy. The young boy fighting sleep was inevitable, just as it was for other boys his age, for they wished only to keep a vigilance on the world around them.

  “Miss Harcourt,” he said, the drowsiness in his voice evident. “Do you have a mother?”

  Jane stifled a sigh as she brushed back his hair. Memories of her mother came back to her and her heart constricted. “I did, but she has been gone for quite some time now.”

  His eyes searched her face. “Do you miss her?”

  “Yes,” she replied with all honesty. “I think about her every day. She was a good woman who was strong and had a kind heart.” She smoothed out the blanket that covered the boy in an almost absentminded way.

  “Father told me that my mother was a kind person, too. I wish I could remember her.”

  Jane's heart broke as she rose up from the bed. “I am sure she was, Samuel. Mothers tend to be kind and loving to their children, and some more than others. Now, it is time for you to sleep or you will be much too tired to go exploring and you do not want that, do you?”

  “No, I have,” -Yawn- “too much to do.”

  “Then I will see you in the morning.”

  The boy yawned again and his eyes closed. Within no time, his measured breathing told her he had fallen asleep. Taking the candle from the stand, she headed out of the room. Taking a final look at the boy, she pulled the door closed with a quiet click and almost screamed when she turned to find the Duke standing behind her. How was it he could sneak up on her at any moment?

  “Your Grace,” Jane gasped, her hand going to her breast.

  “Forgive me for startling you, Miss Harcourt,” he said. He glanced at the now closed door, a thoughtful look on his face. “I am fascinated by the way Samuel has taken to you, far faster than any other governess he has had before.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace,” Jane said, the candlelight illuminating them both in the otherwise dark hallway. She knew not what else to say, so she remained quiet as the Duke looked down at her. He did not stand so close as to be inappropriate, but she found his nearness discomforting. Or was it exhilarating?

  “You do not hesitate to look at me like you once did,” he said. “I see your head held high.”

  Jane’s heart skipped a beat. Had she offended the man? Her worry must have shown for the Duke smiled, his voice light and calming.

  “I am glad to see it for no one should hang their head.”

  Jane breathed a sigh of relief. For the past week she had worried night and day about her outburst in the garden, and despite the fact that he had said she had done no wrong, she could not help but wonder if he would use her actions against he
r. A woman, especially a servant, did not raise her voice to a Duke no matter the reason.

  “I have considered your words concerning my leaving the house and venturing into the town,” he said. “I have decided to heed those words and do just that.”

  She could not stop the smile that spread across her face. “This is wonderful, Your Grace,” she said in all honesty.

  “This Saturday, I will take Samuel out in the carriage. Although I do not plan to go into the town proper, a ride beyond the lines of our property would do us both good.”

  Jane could not agree more and was pleased to hear his words. She could not imagine being tucked away for so many years, even if Wellesley Manor was a large and beautiful place in which to live.

  “I know you will enjoy your outing,” she said.

  “Our outing.”

  “Pardon me?”

  “I would like it very much if you would accompany us, Miss Harcourt.”

  Jane stared at the man. It was not the carriage ride through the country that stilled her tongue from an immediate response but rather the time spent with a man she to whom she could not help but feel some attraction. Granted, they would be in the company of young Samuel, but she could still not help but wonder whether spending too much time with the man was an unwise idea. She almost laughed at this. Here she was debating on whether she should be alone with a man and his son while she was standing alone with the man in a dark hallway.

  “Excellent,” he said before she realized she had agreed. She knew not if it was by magic or because of the smile on his face that had caused her to do so, but agreement she had made. “I will see you in the morning.”

  She watched as he walked away, his stride long and his posture impeccable. Soon, all she could make out was the light from his candle that allowed her to see only a silhouette of the upper part of his body.

  Retiring to her room across the hallway, her thoughts were on the carriage ride as she changed into her nightdress. She smiled as she considered the conversations they could have.