Page 30 of The Wise Daughter

Aaron became aware of the eyes that were on them, Carver’s, Chuff’s, footmen constantly passing by with buckets of water, maids with buckets, other maids bringing drinks for those exhausted from the work.

“Aaron?” Nora’s voice was softer than a feather’s touch, her eyes wide. “Do you know who might have done this?”

He brushed a loose hair off her face, his thumb gently tracing her cheekbone which now had a smudge of ash. “If I did, they would already be paying for this.”

Of all the responsibilities falling on his shoulders, her life was now the most significant. He had to protect her. He could not fail her. He needed her close, somewhere safe where no one could make their way to her without his knowing.

With so many people watching, his heart still furiously pounding, and the smoke still clouding his thoughts and lungs, he could hardly think. He needed a moment before he decided where to put her.

Mr. Lacy appeared, racing down the corridor, coughing from the smoke while calling out, “Where is my daughter? Is she all right? Nora, where is Nora?”

Reluctantly, Aaron relinquished her so she could run to her father.

Despite all her complaints of his gambling and terrible decisions, she eagerly hugged him, and it was more than obvious he loved her dearly.

“I’m all right, Father. No harm done.”

“No harm!” her father laughed. “My heart nearly gave out! If it weren’t for the duke suggesting I search for you to keep myself occupied, I might have died with worry.

” He pulled her close again and kissed her forehead, and together they laughed in that half-mad sort of fashion that only those who have just cheated death can accomplish.

Mr. Lacy’s eyes finally found Aaron’s. There was gratitude in those eyes, and approval.

Aaron sensed that the dread they had shared in the last hour counted for more in his future father-in-law’s esteem than all Aaron’s wealth and status combined.

They both wanted nothing more than to care for Nora and see her safe.

With this newfound sense of fellowship, Aaron patted Mr. Lacy’s shoulder. “It was a comfort knowing you were searching for her.”

Carver, looking proper and formal even in his nightclothes, approached. “We are all relieved you are all right, Miss Lacy.”

Nora eased back to Aaron’s side like a child who wanted to hide. “Thank you, Mr. Carver.”

Aaron greedily took Nora’s hand, giving in to his urgent need to be close now that he had experienced the fear of losing her. “Yes, thank you for your help tonight, Carver.”

“Happy to oblige. I must say, I’m surprised none of us were able to find you, Miss Lacy. Where had you wandered off to?”

“It doesn’t matter where she was, Carver. What matters is that she is safe and unharmed.”

“Of course, Your Grace. I’m only shocked by this trouble. What good fortune that Miss Lacy was away when the fire started.”

Chuff stomped over and wiped his glistening, soot-stained forehead with his forearm. “That’s it, Your Grace. The fire’s extinguished. We made sure of it.”

“You and everyone who has helped have my deepest thanks. Carver, Chuff, please see that everyone here has the chance to go to the kitchen for any refreshment they need after such an exhausting endeavor. I hate to wake Mrs. Bloom, but I daresay, she’s already awoken with all the commotion.

Everyone may have their choice of meats, fruits, cakes, breads, sweets, whatever they want.

Cleaning up can wait until morning. Late morning. ”

“Thank you.” Chuff looked excessively relieved.

Mr. Lacy gave his daughter one last embrace. “Nora, if you’re all right, I’ll return to my room now. These old bones won’t support my tired weight any longer.” He released a long, dramatic yawn. “You’re in good hands. Good night, Nora. Your Grace.”

“Good night, Father.” When Mr. Lacy was out of sight, Nora looked up at Aaron. “Have you noticed how he treats us as if we are already married?”

“Does it matter? We are engaged.”

“Yes, but…” She bit her lip, her cheeks crimsoning enough to appear aflame even in the hushed candlelight. “I never expected to be in such compromising situations. Or so many.”

Compromising? Was she still thinking about the possibility of breaking their engagement?

She couldn’t be. He had felt her heart hammering against his just minutes ago as he held her.

There were looks and feelings between them, enough to convince him something was building, and yet, the doubt still wedged in his thoughts, impossible to brush away.

“Nora, I don’t want anyone to know where you will be staying tonight.

For your own protection. I was planning on showing you to a new bedchamber myself.

” He felt the deepest flush wash over his face, down to his chest. “But if it is too improper, if you would rather I ask Mrs. Manning, I can have her arrange something.”

She looked over her shoulder to where a few men still lingered, cleaning debris and buckets before making their way to the kitchens or their beds.

If she worried about compromising situations, he would not force her to follow him, but the part of him that wanted to protect her like a soldier in battle hoped she would agree.

“I think it would be safest if I follow you.”

A wave of relief rolled over his shoulders.

Perhaps she was learning to trust him after all.

First, he led her to another floor with guest rooms. He didn’t know whether any of them would actually be ready for guests, but it didn’t matter.

They weren’t what he had in mind anyway.

It was only a precaution for appearances in case anyone was attempting to follow them.

He took his time, leading her through the corridors.

Once he was sure no one was watching, he led her to his study.

“Aaron, why are we here? Why the confusing route?”

“To keep you safe. You’ll see what I mean.” Though it was dark, it only took him a moment to open the door hidden behind his bookcase. “This is my favorite room for many reasons.”

“Not another passageway.” She frowned but followed him anyway.

Inside, his heart hammered as she clung to him.

Having relinquished his candle to have his hands free, they were in complete darkness.

It wasn’t his preferred way to traverse the castle either, but if he was truly to protect her, he had to prepare her with knowledge.

With her hand in his, he taught her how to navigate by touch, what to feel for and how to test whether she was in the correct passage.

“This wooden rail will lead you back to my mother’s music room, but when you feel the break in wood, you must turn left and anticipate the stairs. If you follow to the right, you shall find the hidden garden.”

He tried to keep his focus on guiding her, but it was impossible not to notice the softness of her hands and the clean, apple blossom scent in her hair.

She jumped suddenly and gave a muffled cry, her whispers frantic. “Aaron, something just scurried past my foot!”

“Just another mouse.”

She took a fistful of his night shirt and pulled his face close to hers. “I know someone just made an attempt on my life tonight, but thus far, the most terrifying moment has been just now when I felt something run past my ankle.”

He covered her hand with his, hugging it to his chest where she must have felt the urgent rhythm of his heart. “I promise to avenge both your beautiful ankles should anything happen to them.”

She was silent for several seconds. He could almost see her thoughts thickening.

It was too much, them standing in the dark in the middle of the night in their nightclothes.

She was already worried about compromising situations, but instead of chastising him for talking about her ankles, she poked his chest. “I’ll hold you to that, my duke. ”

He pressed a kiss to her hand. “We’re almost there.” What he really wanted was to pluck her from the ground and carry her the rest of the way, but there wasn’t room in the passageways.

He led her up a flight of stairs to a door that let out to a cozy, cream-colored sitting room with matching white doors across from one another.

Two matching windows that nearly reached the ceiling were covered with heavy, green curtains.

Aaron paused, looking around the empty room, then gestured for Nora to enter.

The door to the passageway was disguised by the bookshelves just like in the study.

He opened the door on his left and felt the heat of another flush rush over him.

“This is my bedchamber, Nora. I want you to know where it is should you ever need to find me at night, if there were another emergency,” he quickly added.

She nodded solemnly.

“I wouldn’t have brought you here if I weren’t worried for your safety.

” She nodded again, never saying a word as he went to the door across from his and opened it, revealing another large bedchamber.

“This is where I would like you to sleep tonight. It’s meant to be your room after we are wed anyway, and it’s the only other room I knew for certain was properly prepared for you.

Now that I better understand the state of the castle, I wasn’t sure whether any other room would be fit. ”

Again, Nora nodded, looking in but not yet entering.

“This is our shared sitting room, for no one else’s use but ours.” Blast this flush! It was worse than the fire! He cleared his throat. “You should lock your door, but I’ll sleep with mine open. You need only call out to me if there is trouble.”

Again, she nodded.