Page 15 of The Wise Daughter
“You appear to be in a strange mood this evening, Your Grace.” Aaron’s valet, Garner, one of the few servants who he regularly saw, unfastened Aaron’s boots and stood at the ready, calm and collected as always but uncharacteristically open in his assessment.
“Really? I feel perfectly well. I’m only tired.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Aaron observed Garner as he moved about his bedchamber, putting away clothes and boots as if such work were second nature to him, but how satisfied was he really with his work? Nora’s story about sickness sweeping through her household in West Riding rang in his ears.
“Garner, do you feel you have been treated fairly since being employed at the castle?”
Aaron realized he didn’t know exactly how long Garner had been employed there, only that he was ready and waiting when Aaron first arrived after his father’s death.
Garner stopped suddenly and adjusted his shirt collar. “I much prefer it here to other places I’ve worked.”
It was a careful answer.
“And where else have you worked?”
Garner started rearranging items on Aaron’s dressing table.
“When I was nine, my father started teaching me his trade.” He gave a dramatic pause and spoke ominously.
“Cabinet making.” He made a face. “My father died, and I was handed off from place to place as an apprentice. First, to a blacksmith, then another cabinet maker. I worked on a farm until I ran away.”
“You ran away?”
“Yes, but I was found by a kind preacher who took me in and put me in school, nothing fancy, but it was enough to educate me and teach me some manners. He found a position for me doing odd jobs at a wealthy merchant’s home.
I learned a great deal there. When he died, I came here. That was right before you arrived.”
“I see.” Aaron thought about this, about how much upheaval Garner must have experienced, a never-ending round of hope and disappointments. “I’m sorry I never asked before. I just want to say how grateful I am that you’re here.”
Garner looked at him curiously as he dipped his head, but Aaron could see a faint smile spreading. “Thank you, Your Grace. I’m grateful as well.”
After Garner left, Aaron went to the basin to splash his face with water. The bruise on his temple throbbed with the water’s chill, but the coolness was still soothing.
He didn’t expect to sleep at all that night.
Every time he closed his eyes, his mind flooded with images of his mother playing the pianoforte, of men sneering at him before throwing their fists, and of a simpler life abroad when his greatest tasks were to listen to tutors and discover new art.
And behind every memory, interwoven through every thought was Nora.
Was he being too impulsive, forming an attachment to her so quickly?
She was lovely in every way. Every moment together revealed some new admirable quality, her intuitive talent for understanding, her wisdom and thoughtfulness, and the enchanting way her bright blue eyes alternated between innocent curiosity and an alluring mix of shrewdness and honesty.
And how many times had he wanted to pull her into his arms and find her lips?
Yes, he was acting quickly, but it wasn’t without thought. His only worry was keeping her safe. Those thieves must never touch her. They must never come near her. He had to sniff them out and apprehend them all the quicker for her sake. And he would, he promised himself.
He just hoped he could convince her to stay.
A slight rattling in the hinges was the only warning Aaron got before Carver burst through the door and marched up behind him. “Are you out of your senses, Your Grace?”
Aaron did not acknowledge him at first but instead, took his time splashing his face again in the basin and patting it dry. Carver often surprised him throughout the day with needs of business to discuss, but intruding on Aaron in his bedchamber at such a late hour was unusual.
“Please remember in the future, Carver, that you are to wait for permission before you stampede into my bedchamber.”
Carver released an impatient sigh. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but I am overcome with urgency to help you.”
“No need. Garner has already been.”
“That is not the sort of help I was referring to. I’m talking about your future. I would have come earlier had I not been ordered to tend to Mr. Lacy’s needs today.”
Was that resentment in Carver’s voice? His cheeks drooped. His face was flushed, and his brow was stern. Aaron knew exactly what Carver wanted to discuss, but he had another idea.
“Carver, I was ready to retire for the night, but since you’re here, could you explain to me why my mother’s music room looks like it has been abandoned?”
“Oh.” Carver smoothed his waistcoat before answering, a habit Aaron had learned meant Carver was gathering his thoughts. “I had everything removed when the fireplace was cleaned. I was worried about the mess and didn’t want any of the instruments or furnishings damaged.”
“So they’re still in this castle?”
“Of course. I should also warn you that I think the chimney sweep might be our thief. He was behaving very strangely when he was here.”
“Hmm. Then we should keep our eye on him. I believe there are multiple thieves, Carver.” Aaron didn’t dare explain how four men had attacked him, but he didn’t need to. Even without knowing there were at least four, he had suspected multiple thieves.
“I’m sure you’re right, Your Grace.”
“I want my mother’s music room restored exactly as it was before.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll see to all that. What I came to talk to you about was the Lacy’s. I’m shocked you haven’t dismissed them yet.”
Aaron very nearly dismissed Carver without another word, but this was a conversation he had known was coming. He saw no point in delaying the inevitable. “Why would I dismiss them right after I proposed to Miss Lacy?”
Carver pinched the bridge of his nose. “You must be suffering some ailment, perhaps, or the start of a fever. What can you possibly be thinking?”
“Right now, I’m considering calling for another helping of supper. Mrs. Bloom’s roasted pheasant was inspired, and your interruption has made me want to sink my teeth into something.” Aaron flung the cloth he had used into the basin and folded his arms.
“I cannot believe you would make such a rash decision, Your Grace.”
“I know I don’t usually indulge in extra servings this late.” Aaron slapped his stomach. “But I’m as fit as ever, so I wouldn’t exactly call it a rash decision.”
Carver breathed through his nose, his nostrils flaring.
“I’m glad to see you can jest about your current predicament, but we must discuss what happened last night.
One look at Miss Lacy, and now you want to marry her?
What do we know of her or her father? What was the cause of their supposed downfall?
I owe it to your father to guide you in these important decisions.
I cannot let you risk your good name for the sake of a stranger, especially when there are ladies of higher standing with more impressive reputations. ”
“Thank you, Carver, but I care little for reputations.”
“You cannot mean that.”
“I assure you, I do.”
“You are the Duke of Ravenglass! Who you marry carries great significance. We must not be hasty.”
“Certainly not, which is why Miss Lacy and I shall take time over the next month to become better acquainted with one another.”
Tension rippled down Carver’s shoulders. “Fine. A month, at least. We’ll take our time. Let us wait the month before announcing the engagement, assuming we still want to move forward with the scheme. A great deal can change in a month.”
Aaron looked Carver in the eye. “You do understand that I am making the decision, Carver, not we?”
Carver released another controlled breath.
“Of course, Your Grace. Forgive my turn of speech. I only meant to suggest that I intend to be here guiding you as always, as your father wanted. I only wish to reassure you that it is perfectly acceptable if you have a change of heart before the month is over.”
“And it’s perfectly pleasing if I don’t.
” Aaron was only partially successful at holding back a smirk.
“In any event, I’ve already sent the announcement to the papers.
The news will be all over London soon and, by extension, the entire country if the gossips are as quick about it as I hear they are. ”
“You’ve already sent… Before consulting me?
” Never had Carver sounded so insulted or appalled.
“In all my years, I’ve never known you to act like this, Your Grace.
Are you really so starved for female companionship?
I thought we had a plan for this. Have I somehow failed you or made you doubt my abilities? ”
Aaron placed a consoling hand on his steward’s shoulder. Carver truly looked hurt.
“Of course not, Carver.”
“Then let us adhere to what we initially discussed. We’ll keep you safe while we find the thieves.
Once that is settled, we will find you a bride, a proper, respectable lady as beautiful as any in the country.
I promise I’ll do all in my power to help Mr. and Miss Lacy find suitable situations elsewhere. ”
“I believe Holmrook Castle suits them perfectly well.” Aaron understood why Carver felt protective of him, but it had never been the permanent plan for Aaron to heed every nugget of counsel Carver dispensed.
Nora’s arrival was like the sun returning after night. Even in the depths of mourning, Aaron could feel the rippling effect of her presence, lighting corners and warming hard places. Aaron had never wanted to take his father’s place, but life was easing the sting by bringing him Nora.
“I cannot believe you have fallen in love with Miss Lacy after one brief encounter.”
Aaron supposed in this one regard, Carver was accurate. Love was something deeper and time-tested, but the possibility was thick between Aaron and Nora. Of that much, he was certain.