Page 23 of An Unforeseen Kiss (Captivating Kisses #4)
E den had been at Millvale three weeks now, and the days had flown by.
Mostly because of Val.
She had always thought that her own father was the standard she would use to judge every man by, but the Duke of Millbrooke could almost replace Papa as a measuring stick. He was kind. Compassionate. Intelligent. Interesting. He pushed her to think of things she had never thought about.
And that included becoming his duchess.
Oh, she knew it was fanciful. A silly daydream which could never come to pass.
She was destined to spend her life going from house to house, teaching young girls everything from grammar and geography to the manners they would apply when they came out in Polite Society.
Val was a duke, one of the highest peers in the land.
He would wed a woman of great beauty and impeccable character, and she would come from one of the wealthiest, most established, families in England.
He might enjoy spending time with her, but Eden had no family to speak of, barely two farthings to rub together, and worked for her living.
Still, she would fondly remember these days at Millvale for the rest of her life.
She took the girls riding several times a week, and Val joined them when he could.
They visited for an hour or so each night before she returned to her room and he went to the dining room for the evening meal.
That hour was her favorite part of the day.
Val had proven to be insightful and inquisitive.
They discussed everything from politics to crops to their youth.
Eden had shared more with him than she had another living soul, and she refused to think about the day when Lady Traywick would tell them it was time to return to Cumberland.
They touched one another frequently, comfortable to do so.
She would place her hand on his forearm for a moment.
He often took her hand, squeezing it as he tried to make a point.
Only yesterday, he had plucked a small leaf which had blown into her hair and then smoothed it.
She enjoyed his light touch. His citrus scent.
The attention he gave her, making her feel as if she were the only person in the world.
She wondered if she should start preparing herself for the day when they would leave and decided she would nest happily in the cocoon she now lived in. Her future, which would prove drab without Val in it, could take care of itself later.
He turned the corner now, a smile on his face which he seemed to reserve only for her. Eden rose, basket and shears in hand.
“What is this?” he asked as he reached her.
“I asked Her Grace if I might create a bouquet for her. I spend a good deal of time in the gardens at Traywick Manor, and I cut and arrange flowers for various rooms. Lady Traywick says I have a gift when it comes to flowers.”
“Here, let me take the basket. You can stop as you wish and choose the blooms you want for your bouquet.”
As they strolled, he said, “I heard from Tray, Lady Traywick’s son.”
“I like the young lord,” she replied, snipping the stem of two roses and placing the flowers in the basket.
“He was ten and six when I arrived, and I thought him like an overgrown pup, brimming with enthusiasm for all around him. He still is exuberant, but he has tempered himself some as he has matured. I think it will be good when his studies are completed and he can be at Traywick Manor more often.”
“I had written to him, asking him to come and visit Millvale, especially since his mother and sisters are here. He told me that he was committed to a few projects on his estate this summer and would prefer to see them through instead of leaving everything for his steward to do.”
“He is a good young man. Dedicated to the land. He assumed his title when he was very young. The steward has shared with me that Lord Traywick met with him for the first time when he was but ten years of age and that he is quick to learn.”
“I was sorry about the carriage accident which killed Uncle George and Lucius. Tray was Hadrian back then.” Val chuckled. “He hated his name more than most did. And there did not seem to be a good nickname for him. Aunt Agnes said that he asked to be called Tray, and she honored his request.”
“I think it a nice bit of family history that all you cousins were given such unusual names.”
“Your name is also unique,” he said. “I have yet to meet another Eden. I even looked up the meaning of your name in an old book I found in the library.”
“What did it say?”
“That Eden was Hebrew in origin and meant place of pleasure .”
“Well, I did tell you that Mama named me after the garden where the first people God created dwelled.”
His gaze seemed suddenly intent, and Eden grew warm under it. She turned away, moving to snip some primroses and then hyacinths. Though their conversation had ceased, she still enjoyed his company immensely.
When the basket was almost full, she told him, “I must arrange them before we return. There is a gardening shed with tools and a table. I can put the arrangement together there.”
She led Val to the shed, and he opened the door.
The small building had two windows, but she told him to leave the door open for more light.
Quickly, her fingers got busy, snipping stems as she placed the various flowers into a vase she had brought to the shed earlier.
Eden pulled out a rose and moved it to another place, fussing a bit more, then stepping back to admire her work.
Val rewarded her with a smile. “You could always find work as a florist in town if you ever tire of being a governess. This bouquet is so creative, Eden.”
She flushed with the compliment. “Thank you. It is something I enjoy doing. I have tried to get the girls interested in it, but neither seem to have the patience it takes to arrange flowers.”
He had set the basket down as she worked and picked it up again, along with the large vase. “This will grace our dinner table this evening.” Pausing, he added, “I wish you would agree to dine with us.”
“No, I like the current arrangement we have settled upon. I actually enjoy a bit of time to myself each evening. And it is not only dinner. I know you all go to the drawing room after.”
“Yes. Tonight, Verina and Justina are to play for us, some pieces you have been working on with them. They also will sing a duet together.” He hesitated. “Would you care to come hear them perform?”
He looked at her pleadingly, and Eden could not refuse him. “I would be happy to do so.”
“Then dine with us, as well. That way, you will already be with us and not have to be sent for when the girls play and sing for us.”
“Just this once,” she told him, an ache in her chest. She did not want to become accustomed to dining at his table with the rest of his family.
Because it would hurt too much when she left Millvale.
“I shall take this into the house,” he said, and they left the shed, returning to the house.
They entered the kitchens, and Cook and two of the scullery maids fawned over her for creating such a beautiful arrangement.
“Cook, Miss Snow is joining us for dinner,” Val said, repeating the same to Mrs. Quigby, who entered the kitchens. “And have this arrangement placed on the table for this evening’s meal, Mrs. Quigby.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“I should go and change,” Eden said. “Since I am dining with the family.” She glanced down. “My gown is a bit stained and wet from putting together the bouquet.”
“I will see you soon, Miss Snow,” he said formally, his lips twitching in amusement. “Come to the drawing room. We shall go in to dine from there.”
Eden returned to her room and removed the gown she wore.
She draped it over a chair so it could dry.
Usually, she wore an apron when she put floral arrangements together, but she had not thought to do so.
She only hoped she could remove the stains upon her gown.
She hadn’t many to her name, and it would be a great loss if even one were taken from her rotation.
She donned a gown of midnight blue. It was the nicest she owned and would be suitable for her dinner with the others. Eden made her way down to the drawing room, finding the duchess and Lady Traywick already present.
Feeling the need to explain her presence, she said, “His Grace requested that I come to dinner this evening because my charges will be performing after dinner.”
“Did he now?” Her Grace said. “And do you sing or play, Miss Snow?”
“I do, Your Grace. But tonight is for Lady Verina and Lady Justina to shine. Perhaps I might play for you another time.”
“You always have a quick answer, Miss Snow,” the duchess observed.
“I think it shows just how intelligent Miss Snow is,” Lady Traywick said. “She has been a wonderful influence for my daughters. And here they are now.”
Justina and Verina entered, their cousins in tow. They seemed pleased to see Eden present, and she told them she was eager to hear them entertain after dinner.
“You are dining with us?” Justina asked. “Oh, I am so glad to hear that, Miss Snow. You always liven up a conversation.”
“You are saying we are dull, Justina?” the duchess asked.
“No, of course not, Aunt Alice,” the girl replied. “I just enjoy Miss Snow’s presence.”
“As do I,” Val said, joining them. “Miss Snow is wise and knowledgeable. She is pleasant to be around.”
He took a glass from a tray Quigby brought around and nodded to Eden to do the same. She did so and talk turned to an assembly to be held in three days in the village. She had heard Lady Lia and Lady Tia discussing it and was a bit surprised their mother had granted them permission to attend.
“I hope Verina and Justina can also go,” Lia said, looking at her aunt with a pleading expression.
“Do they allow girls as young as my daughter to attend?” Lady Traywick asked.
“Oh, yes,” Tia said enthusiastically. “Lia and I have gone since we turned ten and four. Everyone that age or older is welcome.”