Romancing the Past

by Darcy Burke

  "Lady Mary. She's a princess," she said and turned the doll, presenting her by stretching the rag arms so far Devon feared she would rip them. If Lady Mary was a princess, her attire was not her best. It was too large, and the lace was torn around the hem. It also had what Devon assumed was a honey stain on the sleeve. He bent at the waist in a bow.

  "Glad to meet you, your Highness. I didn't realize we were so honored." He bent, and took the dirty cloth hand, placing a kiss on the back. He looked up and knew he had done as he should. Maddie was fair to beaming. "Well, what do you think Lady Mary would like to do today, while visiting this grand manor?" He asked. He hoped his question would aid him further, but wasn't prepared for Maddie to crawl out from around the large pile of blankets, and plop onto his knee. She rested her back and head to his frame, and sat for a moment.

  "Lady Mary doesn't know. What is there to do?" She asked almost shyly.

  "I am not sure myself. I guess we could take Lady Mary to get some breakfast. That might be a good start. Then, after she breaks her fast, we could go for a stroll, or we could take her for a ride."

  "Ride?"

  "Yes, Lord Breakerton has many fine horses. Lady Mary would be a proud princess indeed to ride on such a fine mount," Devon proclaimed. He was surprised at how he slipped into the role. He quite liked it as well.

  "Lady Mary can't ride." Maddie said with a good bit of disappointment.

  "That is of no consequence. I would suggest, if I may, that Lady Mary ride with you, and so we aren't separated, you may ride on my horse with me. How does that sound?"

  "Wonderful!" She squealed and jumped off the bed headed for the door in nothing but her slip.

  "Hold," he said, and she stopped and turned with an uncertain look on her face. "If I may, Lady Maddie, I will fetch a maid to assist you in preparing for your day. While you are doing that, I will go into the kitchen and make sure all is prepared for her Highness." She smiled and nodded happily. "Come, let us find you a maid." He stepped off the bed and walked to meet her at the doorway. He was unprepared, however, for her to reach up and wrap her tiny fingers around his much larger one. He smiled as they left to find some help.

  More than an hour later, Devon had managed to change into his riding suit and find Clive doing the same. He didn't quite trust his instincts in the out of doors. Within the confines of the manor, he felt certain he wouldn't botch the situation, but he needed reinforcements in this venue. Maddie had gobbled down her eggs and toast and guzzled a glass of milk in record time. He could tell she was excited, until they reached the stables and she saw the size of the two huge horses awaiting them. She froze in her tracks more than twenty paces from the gate. He looked at Clive who was distracted by lint on his coat that had just been brushed. Devon considered calling his friend on his tell by asking if he needed to get glasses for his valet.

  "Maddie? Are you scared of the horses?" Devon had crouched down so she might look him in the eye. It was then he remembered how everything had once seemed over-sized to him as a child. "They are big, aren't they?" She nodded. "The one on the right is Bane. He is Lord Breakerton's horse. He is very serious, but gentle. The one on the left will be our horse. Would you like to know his name?" Again, she nodded, never taking her eyes off the beasts. "His name is Caesar. He isn't as serious as Bane, but he loves to have his nose petted. Would you like to pet his nose?"

  "I won't be able to reach it," she said in a small voice.

  "How about if I carry you into the pen. That way, you won't feel quite so small and you will be able to meet Caesar properly, eye to eye."

  With the seriousness of her mother across her face, she thought for a moment, and then nodded once. "That would probably be best. That way Lady Mary won't befrightened of them."

  "That is true. I hadn't thought Lady Mary might be frightened. Very wise thinking." He reached out and pulled her into his arms as he stood. They made their way into the pen and dispensed with the needed introductions. Once Maddie had been snorted on and nuzzled by both grays, she declared them acceptable to Princess Mary.

  Clive took her while Devon mounted, then reached down and pulled her and the doll in front of him. He made certain she was seated with his arms wrapped around her, all of a sudden made aware of just how high one sat in the saddle. Visions of Maddie slipping and falling ran through his mind. He sighed and chastised himself. If he continued thinking as such, he would be in his grave well before he could get her through her first season. That thought sent a new set of unknown feelings of possessiveness soaring through him. He shook his head clear. When he glanced at Clive, he was sure he saw him chuckling.

  Damn, fool.

  Out through the gates the pair of horses strolled into the warm spring day. Clive promised a gentle ride. Just enough to get some air and give her a grand adventure to go back and tell her mother. He knew it was unfair to use Maddie to get to Ella, but she was thwarting him at most every turn. If she was going to count cards, so could he.

  ♥♥♥

  The ride was a resounding success. The visiting royalty had flopped about in Maddie's arms enjoying the countryside. Maddie seemed to have enjoyed her jaunt as well. Devon had even made her giggle a time or two. By the time the party strolled into the stable yard, it was time for luncheon. Maddie had been asleep for about thirty minutes. He had first noted the lack of chatter coming from the dark curly head bobbing in front of him. He was further made certain she had given up the battle when those dark curls fell back and she snuggled into his chest. He was glad she felt so comfortable as to fall asleep with him in charge. On the other hand, it could just be that a three year old would sleep when they needed to.

  In truth, he wasn't sure he would be so trusting.

  Clive came around the side and reached up to take the limp bundle. She never stirred. Devon dismounted and handed the reins off to a stable boy. He then turned to relieve Clive and he juggled Maddie until her head rested on his shoulder. All in all, he was pleased with his first real day as a father. His own father left riding lessons and any other lessons to someone more equipped to deal with him. He wouldn't be that kind of father, regardless of his social station. He had already lost three years with Maddie. he wouldn't lose anymore without a fight.

  The two men walked up the sloping lawn to the side door. Devon glanced over at Clive askew. He was sure his friend would be the first to tell him if he was doing something wrong, after all, Clive knew his history. The hallway was dark and cool as their boots clicked in rhythm making their way to the south parlor where the ladies were chatting.

  "Oh, look at her. Such a love. Did she enjoy her ride?" Asked LePrin when the men entered and Devon laid Maddie out on a nearby chaise draping her with a blanket. He was not aware that children slept so much.

  "Yes, she didn't stop talking," Devon said.

  "That is until she fell asleep," Clive chimed in.

  "She must have been exhausted. Nelly told us how she woke up not knowing where her mother was and with the events of last night, the poor little thing," Flick observed. "Why, what must she be thinking of all this? Her little mind must be boggled."

  "Once she knew where her mother was, and that she would see her later today, she was fine," Devon assured the concerned women. "I do think a quiet afternoon is probably in order. Should I put her to bed, or will she be fine there?" He asked, unsure what the proper thing would be to do.

  "We both have dealt with a sleeping child a few times in our lives. I believe if you leave her where she is, we can quite easily watch a three year old sleep," LePrin assured him.

  "After luncheon, once she awakens and eats, we can go for a stroll in the garden with her. I am sure she can find something to entertain out there." Before Devon could raise his concern of them keeping up with her, Flick added, "We will bring Nelly with us to help."

  Clive then jumped into the conversation to give a rundown of how Princess Mary fared on her tour of the kingdom. As he was finishing, the butler came carrying a tray filled with cold meats
, cheeses and fruit. The gentlemen remained with the ladies until after they ate, then both left. Devon had to deal with some correspondence from London, and Clive, some visiting in the area to see if he could come across any information proving helpful in ferreting out the blackmailers. Their plan was already set for this evening. Ella was meeting with the blackmailers and they were determined to get a good look at them.

  ♥♥♥

  A loud crash and scream made Ella drop a whole platter of rolls she had been planning to put out to sell in the morning. To her consternation, the crash and the scream were caused by the cat Penny had befriended. The meddlesome creature was forever knocking things over.

  "Damn it! One of us is going to have to go," Ella snapped at the cat while she bent to pick up the rolls, which would now take her an extra batch of dough in the morning to replace. She had taken the time this afternoon to make them, hoping to save herself time tomorrow. She also was able to keep herself busy. "Why can't you go out and catch mice like other cats?" she asked the feline who was now making amends by prancing around her, rubbing her sleek body along Ella's ankles and purring loudly.

  She knew if not for everything on her mind, she would find the act endearing, but today, it was just more frustrating. She couldn't even get a cat to listen to her and do as she asked. She finished picking up the rolls and put them in the barrel she had by the door for food waste for the pigs down the road. The farmer always seemed to send a juicy roast her way during slaughter time since she helped to fatten them up.

  After the morning baking, Ella had sent Penny into the main room to help customers. Ella was in no mood to paste a sunny smile on her face and greet people. In addition, she was sick of Penny jumping from playing nursemaid to her and talking about her own sad situation. If Ella could, she would just give Penny the money for a bride's price to give to Eric's father. If things worked out and Devon got his way, perhaps she would just leave the bakery to Penny. Then Eric's father would have no reason to argue the match.

  Ella froze in her tracks. If things worked out? If things worked in Devon's favor, she would be leaving Scotland and heading into a life as his Viscountess. She didn't want that–did she? Ella felt lightheaded. The notion didn't seem as foul as she had thought earlier. In fact.

  No, it was just her nerves working their magic. Nothing could make her want to go back to London and have a man rule over her for the rest of her life. It was just the stress of everything. That is all it was was, just nerves.

  Resuming her march across the kitchen, she attempted to shake the chills prickling down her back and arms. Her body betraying her adamant refusal of the notion. She finished cleaning and double-checked the stew bubbling on the fire. She had explained to Penny that she had a meeting and would be leaving soon after Maddie returned. Penny was more than capable. She kept Maddie when Ella went on her trips to Edinburgh.

  She wondered about Maddie as she made her way upstairs to change. She hoped Maddie had a good day. She found herself thinking about what they might be doing. Her and Devon. Were they getting on well? Did he claim to want to spend time with her, and then pawn her off on Flick and LePrin? That is what her father would have done, but he wouldn't have claimed a desire to spend time with her. A voice resonated through her mind, I am not your father. I never will be like your father. Devon had been thoroughly insulted when she compared him to her father. She remembered the time Devon had caught her father threatening her while they were at The Tate. Her father never raised his voice to her again after that. She knew Devon spoke with him in private after, but she never asked what was said. No one had ever been in a position to stand up for her before. Never.

  Once she had dressed and re-pined her hair, she switched her rather soft slippers for sturdy boots. They were at least one size too big, but they worked well in the fields. She crossed to the small table and took up the pouch there. It was heavy and the coins clinked as she opened it to recount the amount again. She didn't dare meet her blackmailers without the money, even if she didn't want to pay them. They broke her window. They should be paying her.

  She heard the bell sound over the front door, and heard Maddie's bright voice carrying through the rafters. "Hi Penny! Where is Mommy?"

  "Well, did ye 'ave fun today, Poppet?" She heard Penny ask. Ella didn't hear the reply because she turned and hurried down the stairs to the back of the building, making her way into the front room, only to be brought up short. Devon stood tall and regal in the room.

  "My Lord, I had expected a footman to escort Maddie home. You needn't have bothered with such a thing," she said, surprise in her voice.

  "Mommy!" Maddie squealed and ran to be picked up and hugged.

  "I missed you! Did you enjoy yourself?" Ella waited as Maddie seemed to think about her answer.

  "Well, I woke up and you were gone," she said with all seriousness. Ella hadn't even thought of Maddie being out of sorts. She should have. She scolded herself.

  "I am sorry, sweeting. You must have been scared." She could feel Devon's eyes on her.

  "I was, but then he was there. He made Princess Mary laugh and me. Then, we went for a ride on Caesar. We went almost to Edinburgh! I fell asleep, then I played in the garden. Can I go back?" She stopped to take a breath at last, hope in her eyes.

  Ella glanced up at Devon and almost laughed. She looked so like him. They both stood with identical pleading looks. The difference was Maddie knew hers. Devon, she figured, was unaware of the look he held on his face. If they were in public together much, people would know the truth. Still, it warmed her heart to see father and daughter want more time together.

  "Well, I think tomorrow we had planned on having you go after breakfast. Would you like that?"

  "Yes, very much! Did you hear Lord R.? I can come visit tomorrow!" She ran up to him and gave him a big hug, which to Ella's further surprise, he bent to accept.

  "I think that is wonderful. Will Princess Mary be joining us?" He asked with true interest.

  "She might be too tired after today. I will see in the morning," she stated like a true mother.

  "I understand. She is welcome of course. Shall I have the horses ready in the morning?"

  "Yes," she stated and turned to her mother.

  "Why don't you take Princess Mary up and put her to bed, then come back down for dinner."

  Maddie beamed again at Devon, waved, and disappeared. Penny took her cue and left as well. Ella busied herself covering bread loaves for the night. The dratted man seemed to fill any room he was in.

  "Thank you. I had a wonderful time with her today."

  "You are welcome. It appears she too enjoyed herself." She needed to gain control or she would be begging him to take her into the storage room. If the new window didn't open the shop to the world outside, she wouldn't be adverse to him leaning her against the counter— wonderful, as if she needed to have that image just now. A shiver ran down to the pit of her stomach.

  "I was hoping you and I might have some time together. Remember our agreement?" He asked.

  "Oh, well, actually, I was just getting ready to go visit a sick woman on the other side of the moor. I take her bread when there is left over. It will have to be another time."

  "Tomorrow then?" It was a question that for all purposes was no question at all. She eyed him before she answered.

  "Tomorrow would be fine. Would you care to join us for dinner? We eat early because we have to rise so early."

  "Perfect. I find all this fresh air increases my appetite. I will leave you to your visit then." He bowed and looked as though he would have kissed her, but he too noted the new glass opening them to the whole of the village. She watched as he lumbered through the door and onto the street. His horse stood waiting. He mounted and headed north toward the manor. Now she would have to wait until she was sure he was gone before she left.

  She locked the front door and took a moment to admire the new window Devon had installed. She marveled at the speed of which a man with money could get th
ings done. Shrugging, she made her way back into the kitchen and to the back door. Penny had Maddie well in hand, so she slipped out without disturbing them. She would get some answers tonight. Of that, she was sure.

  Chapter 10

  From her position in the bushes to the west of the clearing, Ella watched for her blackmailers. She still managed to get there early enough to see where her blackmailers were coming from. As she waited, a low eerie mist rolled across the field as if it were chasing the light as it dipped below the horizon. A chill went down her back.

  She needed to get her mind off all things dark and dangerous. She conceded that she was not as brave as she would like to be. Her mind went to seeing Devon and Maddie together. They were getting on famously. Ella felt a pang of envy. Maddie not only enjoyed her father's company, but he had enjoyed hers as well. What she would have given for just one day of harmony between her and her father.

  Not to mention the fact that Ella was realizing more and more that she wanted to spend time with Devon as Maddie had. She would never begrudge her daughter a thing, but she so wanted to be part of the scene.

  The noise of horses to the north brought her out of her reverie. To her left, set back next to the trees was a small cabin crouched in the shadows. The noise stopped behind it, but then male voices could be heard. She couldn't make out the words, but whoever they were, they were not getting on well. After a moment, two men much older than she was came around the front of the cabin.

  Both wore plain clothes that were in disrepair. They were of average build, but the one to her left, hugging the shadows with the cabin, was taller and thinner by a bit. Their hair was balding and not well brushed. Where the taller man had a bushy gray-black beard, the other only kept a mustache that was as unkempt as his partner's beard. She thought about how her mother had hated men with mustaches. She would all but cringe when she saw one, a very strange memory to have in the middle of the woods in such a situation. She mentally shrugged. It was obvious Ella was trying to calm her nerves by thinking of her mother.