Page 13 of The Duke and his Muse (Wayward Dukes’ Alliance #32)

The last fortnight had passed as slow as cold treacle. Jane wore one of her two new gowns, the blue, to greet the duke and his son.

“Good afternoon!”

“Good afternoon,” the duke replied with a bow, one hand in Daniel’s. “Any outside adventures today?”

She shook her head. “None planned, but we can let Daniel stretch his legs before we have tea.”

“Would you like to go for a walk?” the duke asked the little boy.

“Forest!” The boy released his father’s hand and ran forward to clasp one of Jane’s. “Forest!”

Her heart swelled with happiness as she held the boy’s hand and walked with him to the clearing with the stump.

“Leopold!”

And there was a Leopold in the clearing. A red fox stood at the edge of the trees, startled by their appearance. The animal sniffed the air before turning its back on them and disappearing into the woods.

Daniel made to rush after the fox, but his father stepped forward to swing the boy into his arms.

“Remember how we talked about being nice to animals, Daniel? We wouldn’t want to frighten Leopold so he never returns to the stump, do we?”

Daniel had struggled in his father’s embrace to get down but now stilled. He shook his head solemnly. “Leopold is friend.”

“He is,” his father replied with a grin. “And so is Oliver, so must be nice to Miss Hayward’s cat this visit.”

“Daniel nice.”

She smiled at his words. “Daniel is very nice.”

“Papa nice.”

“He is very nice, too,” she replied, feeling heat on her cheeks.

“Thank you, Miss Hayward. We think you’re nice as well.”

There was an uncomfortable silence filled only with the rustle of a breeze through the trees and the song of birds.

“Forest!” Daniel again struggled in the duke’s hold, and his father set him back on the ground.

The little boy stomped around the clearing for a few minutes and then his father asked him, “Shall we go in for tea? Perhaps there are cinnamon buns.”

“Yes! Tea!” This time the boy insisted on holding his father’s hand and one of Jane’s.

She kept her gaze on Daniel or her feet as they returned to the cottage.

Once settled in the parlor with tea and sweets, Jane looked over the pages the duke brought with him. A few minutes later, Maisie appeared to escort Daniel to the kitchen and an audience with Oliver the cat.

The duke ate cinnamon buns and ham sandwiches as Jane read the words he’d written.

When she had finished reading, Jane let out a happy sigh. “Perfect. What you’ve written is just perfect.” She closed her eyes a moment.

“Worthy of your father’s approval?” the duke asked softly.

“Is that important to you?” she asked, opening her eyes and staring at him.

“He left a wonderful legacy. I would hope I lived up to his standards. And yours.”

“You have,” she breathed softly. “You most certainly have.”

The duke nodded briskly. “I’ll be going to town in two days. Would you like me to present the manuscript to the publisher?”

“You’re visiting London?” she asked, blinking.

“For several weeks. I want to show Daniel the museums, the parks… It is nearly September, and Mrs. Blight thinks it is a good idea to travel before the cold weather sets in and we are confined inside Bartlett House more often.”

“I hope you have a wonderful time in Town.” She collected her thoughts. “Let me write a short letter of introduction to my publisher, Mr. Davis. You may take the manuscript to London. If the publisher accepts it he will send on a contract. I will let you know if he offers for the book.”

She proceeded to write a missive to Mr. Davis briefly explaining her collaboration with a duke.

What would the man think! It was too late now to worry about such matters.

Right now she must be calm and not think about the duke going to London to find a wife.

If she thought about it, her dismay and sadness would surely show on her face.

“All done!” Jane added the missive to the stack of pages the duke had provided and her sketches for the book. “ Daniel the shy Hedgehog is ready to go out into the world. Shall we see how your son and my maid are getting along?”

They both got to their feet as Daniel rushed into the room. “Oliver! Oliver!”

“The poor cat deigned to let the lad pet him,” Maisie said as she entered the parlor. “Daniel only pulled Oliver’s tail once.”

Jane had anticipated seeing the boy today and had made him a gift to help lessen the distress the boy felt when he left the cottage. And also perhaps as a goodbye present. She reached for it now, at the bottom of her sewing basket.

“This is for you, Daniel.”

The boy took the little hedgehog Jane had knitted for him. It had been hard to recreate the roly poly animal, but the task had helped keep her occupied the last fortnight.

“Daniel?” the boy asked.

“Yes, Daniel the hedgehog,” she said mistily.

“What a wonderful gift. Say thank you, Daniel.” The duke picked the boy up in his arms.

Daniel, intent on his new toy, muttered something that was close enough for Jane.

“You’re welcome, Daniel.”

The duke nodded to her. “I look forward to your letter once you’ve received an answer from Mr. Davis. Good afternoon and thank you for a lovely tea.”

Maisie showed the duke and his son out of the cottage.

Good afternoon . No discussion as to whether they might write another book together, ever see each other again.

* * * * *

Graham felt torn. The girl cared for him. It was as plain as the nose on his face. He’d given his mother his word. He would go to London without a wife and was sure to return without one.

Daniel sat beside his father babbling to the hedgehog in his lap. It really was a remarkable little thing. How someone could make a ball of yarn into an animal you could recognize. Jane was evidently talented in handcrafts.

While he was in London he would consult with a few of his friends although their opinions didn’t really matter.

If Jane accepted his suit when he returned, he would hear no word against her.

She was a gentleman’s daughter, her mother had been a member of the peerage.

She was lovely, kind, and he believed she loved Daniel.

But they had never touched, never kissed. Perhaps she would abhor his touch as much as Caroline had. When next they met he must touch her. He had to know if she felt any passion for him. Goodness knows, he felt passion for the sweet woman who had brought such happiness into his life.

A soft snore heralded Daniel’s drift into sleep. He smiled down at the child, wondering if he would soon give the boy a brother or sister. Or both. The idea of having a child with Miss Hayward, Jane, gave him immense pleasure. As would the making of the child, he was sure.

Graham groaned, regretting not taking the woman’s hand or stealing a kiss. He must remember she was an innocent.

In a month’s time he would return from Town and tell the girl how he felt. If she chose to accept him, they would collaborate not only on books, but in life.