To Trust a Duke

by Aston, Alexa

  Chapter Five

  Ashlyn watched the duke’s carriage drive away and stiffened her resolve. She had her work cut out for her with these two new charges.

  Entering the foyer, she saw Arthur sitting atop his valise while Harry turned in a slow circle, taking everything in.

  “Leave your cases to the right of the stairs. You may take them up later when you settle into your rooms. For now, I’d like you to accompany me to my study.”

  She turned and walked away, guessing Arthur made a face because Harry failed at stifling a giggle. Ashlyn opened the door and ushered them in, moving to a small sitting area. Arthur sat, uninvited. She stared daggers at him. He frowned as he rose to his feet.

  “Besides academics, you will take classes in dance and the arts, as well as social conversation. That includes manners. Good manners,” she emphasized, letting her stern words soak in. “A gentleman always waits for an invitation to sit before he does so. And,” she added, “he waits until all ladies are seated before he even thinks about sitting.”

  Ashlyn paused and then said, “Please, take a seat, Master Arthur. Master Harry.”

  She did so and the boys followed. Harry’s eyes were round. Arthur’s narrowed—and were wary.

  “Ten boys are currently enrolled at Dunwood Academy. I never accept any more than twelve during a term. That ensures each boy receives ample individual attention from the instructors and me.”

  “Is it true all the boys here are troublemakers?” Arthur asked. “That’s what I heard one of our groomsmen say.”

  “I would use troubled instead of troublemakers,” she said carefully. “Every pupil here has gone to a different school at one time or another. You see, everyone has problems, Arthur. Even the titled and wealthy, though not all of our students are from wealth. Some are of the upper class but their fathers have come close to bankruptcy. Others have lost a parent, just as you and Harry have. Some have been picked on for their looks or speech.”

  She looked at Arthur. “No one is perfect. Dunwood boys realize that and support one another. They help each other with their problems. They never—ever—make fun of one another.”

  “Never?” asked Harry, obviously surprised by her words.

  “Never,” Ashlyn said firmly. “It’s not acceptable at any time to do so. We are better when we come together. It’s good to recognize our differences and support one another. No one is bullied here—and no one does any bullying.”

  “Will you expel them if they do?” challenged Arthur.

  “No,” she said calmly and observed that her response puzzled him.

  “Do you thrash them?” he asked.

  “No. But I do speak with the offending boy and get to the root of the problem. As I said, this is a place where you won’t be judged, Arthur. You will also not judge others. You will say nice things or nothing at all. Boys here help one another with their assignments, be it translating Latin to Greek or proving a certain theorem right or wrong. There are also riding lessons and sports. Some boys aren’t as athletic as others but that doesn’t stop them from playing and enjoying games.”

  “Why don’t you have footmen?” Harry asked.

  “Because it’s important to do for yourself and not always have someone waiting upon you.”

  Ashlyn explained the physical chores the boys were responsible for, including the care of various animals. While Harry looked excited by the prospect, Arthur raised his objections.

  “You’re saying we not only curry the horses and feed them but we muck their stalls?” he asked with distaste.

  “Yes. You’ll also learn to cook simple dishes and care for your own clothes, pressing them and sewing on buttons that come loose or fall off.”

  Arthur snorted. “It sounds as if we are slaves. You shouldn’t be paid tuition. You should be paying the pupils for taking care of the place.”

  “There are far worse things you could be doing,” she said evenly. “Gardening, for instance. Pulling weeds. Planting flowers and cutting grass. And laundry. Washing clothes is backbreaking work. I don’t require those things but you will gain a healthy respect for the people who do those tasks for you.”

  “What if I don’t want to do all of this?” Arthur asked, testing her. “Will you send me home to Gillingham?”

  “No. You will stay here and learn. That is the agreement we’ve entered.”

  Arthur looked astonished. “I didn’t agree to anything.”

  “No, you didn’t,” Ashlyn said. “It was you mother and brother who believed you could learn here. Our classes are unique compared to most schools. I think you should give our program a try before you try to leave. In fact, I’ll strike a bargain with you both. Easter is in seven weeks. That is when you’ll be given a two-week holiday. Stay until then, doing all that I ask, and then if you choose to leave in April, I’ll be agreeable.”

  Doubt flashed in Arthur’s eyes. “So, you’re saying if we don’t like it after seven weeks, we can leave. No questions asked.”

  “Not from me,” Ashlyn said cheerily. “Of course, you’ll have your mother and brother to answer to. By then, you will have learned some of the art of polite conversation and be able to break the news to them in an appropriate manner. For now, though, you’ll stay. You’ll be open to our education methods. You won’t make fun of any other students or gang up on anyone. You’ll give me your best. That’s all I ask.”

  “Yes, Lady Dunwood,” Harry said quickly.

  Ashlyn decided that the younger boy had merely gone along with his older brother’s antics and that he truly wished to be good.

  “What do you say, Arthur? You have a clean slate. I don’t care if you’ve been a rascal in the past. Today is a new day. A fresh start. You can be whomever you wish to be.”

  “All right,” he grumbled. “I’ll try.”

  “Remember you’re not only trying. You’re trying your best. That’s a lot to live up to. Sometimes you’ll succeed but sometimes you’ll fail. We learn as much from our failures as we do our successes.”

  Again, his brow wrinkled as he mulled over her words.

  “Let’s start by hearing a little about your previous schooling. Not the schools themselves. I’m not interested in where you went. I want to know what you learned.”

  She spent an hour quizzing them aloud, getting them to talk about their experiences. Harry seemed drawn to writing and languages and adored history. Arthur was more practical and admitted that he enjoyed numbers and Latin. Neither boy had any prior experience with art or music, so she told them they would start by drawing with charcoal and advance to different paints. That seemed to please Arthur.

  “You’ll also choose a musical instrument to learn. Mr. Phillips will give you a choice but if you’re drawn to mathematics, you might enjoy the pianoforte.”

  “You said something about sports,” Arthur said.

  “Yes. We play every day the weather is good. Kicking balls. Learning archery. Playing lawn tennis.”

  “And riding?” Harry asked hopefully.

  “Yes. Mr. Jarrett is head of our stables. He and Mr. Selleck teach riding.”

  Ashlyn asked each boy about how long he’d ridden and the type of horse he preferred. She also had them write on a few topics in order to gain a sample from them. Mr. Selleck would use it to ascertain their reading level and pass that along to the other tutors.

  Once they’d completed the assignment, she said, “I think it’s time to see your dormitory. There are four boys to a room.”

  Leading them from the study, she had them carry their valises upstairs. Arthur seemed a little put out by being separated from his brother but Harry appeared enthused by the opportunity to be on his own. She then gave them a tour of the house and they watched a few classes in action. They said little but she could see they were impressed by what they observed. She made sure in each room to introduce them to the other boys and instructor.

  They entered the drawing room, where Mr. Phillips sat with Drake, who played the violin. Th
e moment the boy saw them, he stopped playing. Ashlyn glanced to Arthur and saw he recognized Drake from their previous school.

  Drake rose and moved his bow from his right to left hand. “H-hello, Arthur. H-H-Harry.” He held out a hand.

  Arthur took it first. “Hello, Drake. Do you like it here?”

  The boy nodded.

  Harry shook hands after that and Mr. Phillips had Drake continue to practice while he discussed which instruments his new pupils would attempt to learn. They both decided on the pianoforte and the music teacher nodded in satisfaction.

  Ashlyn then led them to a common room, where students gathered to study and talk. Samuel and Edward were there. She took a deep breath, knowing this would be a huge hurdle.

  “Boys, come here a moment. I have our new students with me.”

  She sensed Harry stiffen beside her as Edward, who’d been looking down at a page, turned toward them. Before, only the left side of his face was visible. Looking straight on, his port-wine stain was obvious. He rose and came across the room with Samuel.

  The boys made their own introductions without her help and she was pleased with the newcomers’ responses.

  “I like to be left alone,” Samuel said in his blunt manner. “Lady Dunwood says that is fine sometimes. I do participate in classes. And I’m very good at sports.”

  “I like sports, too,” Harry said in a friendly manner. “Maybe I can be on your team.”

  “Does it hurt?” Arthur asked, looking at Edward.

  Ashlyn kept from cringing, trusting Edward to be mature and lead the way.

  “About as much as freckles would,” the boy replied easily. “The only thing that ever hurts is when others make fun of me for it. I was born this way. It will never go away. I’ve accepted it. I hope you will, too.”

  “Oh,” said Arthur. “Did you fight anyone who made fun of you?”

  Edward grinned. “I wanted to but Papa said I couldn’t fight the entire world. He told me not to waste my time and energy on people who were so small-minded.”

  “And no one here really cares?” Arthur persisted, obviously fascinated.

  “No. It may have been hard for others when I first came,” he shared. “I’m accepted now for who I am.” Grinning, he added, “I’m the best in the school at mathematics. Every boy has come to me for help. Once they got to know me and saw I’m a regular chap, it hasn’t been a problem.” He paused. “Will you have a problem with it, Arthur?”

  The boy considered it a moment. “I don’t think so,” he said. “But what you will have trouble with is when I prove I’m the best with numbers at Dunwood Academy—not you.”

  Ashlyn was afraid a few fists would be thrown, then all four boys laughed heartily.

  In that moment, she believed Edward had done the impossible.

  He’d won over Arthur.

  “If you could, Edward, I have a few things to do now. Would you take Arthur and Harry outside? I’d like them to see the playing field and the stables. Have Mr. Jarrett speak with them so he knows which mount will be best for them on this afternoon’s ride.”

  “We get to ride today?” Harry asked, his face lighting up.

  “We ride several afternoons a week,” Samuel said. “May I go, too, Lady Dunwood?”

  She beamed, knowing this was true progress. Samuel rarely wanted to be around the other boys.

  “Yes, I think that would be a splendid idea. Once you’re done, please stop by my study again.”

  “Yes, Lady Dunwood,” both Arthur and Harry said in unison.

  She watched the four leave and a warmth spread through her. They weren’t perfect. Missteps would occur along the way. But Ashlyn was convinced that she’d made huge inroads with these new pupils.

  Returning to her study, she read through what the pair had written this morning and then wrote up her own observations. She would share these with her tutors this evening as they discussed what would be best for the two. Half an hour later, a knock sounded at the door and she bade them to enter.

  Harry nearly bounced off the walls, his enthusiasm contagious. Arthur was more reserved but still seemed like a much different lad than the sullen one who’d arrived this morning. She asked them a few questions about the horses and consulted her schedule, telling them when they’d start caring for the animals outside and noting they’d always have another boy with them to show them the ropes.

  “You may go to your rooms upstairs now,” she told them. “I’ve had the maids place three uniforms on your beds for you so that you’ll be dressed as the other boys from now on.”

  “When do we eat, Lady Dunwood?” Harry asked.

  She reviewed with them when mealtimes occurred and when they were to wash and dress. Making their beds each morning was also a part of their new routine. Neither boy complained as she mentioned this. Another sign of progress.

  “Do you have any more questions?”

  “No, my lady,” both responded.

  “Then you’re dismissed.”

  As they left, Harry said, “I told you, Arthur Baker. This is going to be a great place.”

  The door closed and Ashlyn smiled to herself, lifting her pencil again. Then she tapped it against the desktop, something bothering her. She couldn’t put her finger on it.

  Until it hit her.

  Baker. Harry had called his brother Arthur Baker. She realized she hadn’t heard the boys’ surname before. Then she recalled them saying goodbye this morning. While Arthur referred to the duke by his title, Harry had called the duke Reid.

  Reid Baker.

  The pencil stilled.

  Reid Baker had been Daniel’s commander. The officer who’d notified her of her husband’s death.

  Surely, it was a coincidence.

  But how many Reid Bakers were ranking officers in His Majesty’s Army?

  Ashlyn’s gut told her only one existed. Should she tell Gilford that Daniel had been under his command? How could she even bring up such a subject when she never spoke of her husband to anyone? Once the duke had determined to send his brothers to Dunwood Academy and they’d made arrangements for the boys to begin today, he’d made mention of being away at war for years, ever since university. She doubted with all the men under him that Gilford would remember a young officer who’d perished not from his battle wounds but from dysentery.

  Still, knowing this man had been over Daniel left her uneasy. She was already self-conscious in the duke’s company. This made everything ten times worse.

  Ashlyn determined never to speak of Daniel in the duke’s presence.

  Chapter Six

  Reid came in after a long day out on the estate and told Anderson he needed a bath. The calendar might say mid-March but Reid was chilled to the bone. He’d spent the last two weeks since dropping his half-brothers off at Dunwood Academy become familiar again with Gillingham. He’d ridden to every corner of the property, meeting up with tenants he’d known since he was a boy and acquainting himself with new ones who’d come. He was saddened to hear about the loss of a few good men he’d known, farmers who’d been salt of the earth types who’d been kind to Reid whenever he rode about with his father.

  He’d also spent time with his estate manager and poured over the ledgers for hours at a time, seeing how profitable Gillingham had been over the years he’d been away. He wouldn’t participate in the upcoming London Season because he still had too much to learn here, then he’d make his way across England to visit his other estates. As a duke, his holdings were vast and he wanted to familiarize himself, taking time to tour each property and become known to his staff.

  Reid stripped off the clothes he’d worn and showed Anderson a tear in his coat, courtesy of an unwieldy fence that he’d helped repair. It felt good again to be out on the land, making improvements, seeing the crops and livestock, and trying out various horses in the stables. He’d finally settled on one to be exclusively his, a huge black of seventeen hands named Thunder.

  “Your bath is ready, Your Grace,” Ander
son said.

  Reid climbed into the copper tub, one his father had used and his father before him. He scrunched down, eyes closed in contentment for a few minutes before he scrubbed himself and rinsed. Toweling off, he allowed his valet to dress him, glad he was finally rid of the uniforms he’d worn for a decade. Anderson had taken his measurements and then rode off to London, selecting a wardrobe for Reid. Having been a valet to an earl before his army days, the man knew how a gentleman should dress. He’d brought back a few outfits upon his return to Gillingham and told Reid the remainder of his wardrobe would arrive soon. Based upon what he now wore, Reid could tell Anderson had an eye for quality materials and a sense of style. It affirmed his decision to bring his batman to England and he hoped they’d be together for many years to come.

  Anderson adjusted the cravat and then nodded in satisfaction. “You’re fit to dine with Viscount Martin and his daughters.”

  Reid scowled. Although he’d enjoyed renewing friendships with a few gentlemen in the neighborhood, he dreaded tonight’s dinner. Dalinda wouldn’t be present, having left Gillingham to visit her brother and sister-in-law. Reid hadn’t even known she had any siblings and wondered why this brother hadn’t attended the duke’s funeral. His stepmother explained that Dez’s wife had just given birth to their first child and she hadn’t wanted him to leave Anna alone.

  Dalinda had left yesterday to visit the couple at their country estate in Surrey and before she left, she’d let slip that Viscount Martin had two daughters of marriageable age. He realized as an eligible duke that was the chief reason Martin had issued the dinner invitation. Besides wanting to spend more time on his various properties, Reid avoided the upcoming Season because of pushy mamas of girls making their come-outs. The women would clamor for his attention. He had no interest in the Marriage Mart, chiefly because he’d made up his mind. His wife would be Lady Dunwood or no one.

  At this point, he was entirely too busy to pursue the dowager countess and it didn’t matter anyway. She’d proclaimed she wouldn’t wed again, which meant she wasn’t going to be swept off her feet by some gentleman. She’d be busy as headmistress of her school. That gave him ample time to accomplish what he needed—and then work on making her his. Besides, he wasn’t in any hurry.