Page 33 of The Wise Daughter

The late duke’s letters spread across Nora’s thick blankets like fallen leaves. They gave her something to focus on beyond the emotions swirling in her chest, but her attention was slippery.

Someone had tried to kill her, a fact terrifying enough on its own, but what had shaken her most was seeing how much the fire had scared Aaron.

He should have known her better by now than to think she could agree, in such a state, to marry him right away.

His fear combined with hers had numbed her to any feeling she could trust. He wanted to keep her where he could watch her and hide her away until everything was safe.

What if circumstances were never safe? She had just told Aaron she wouldn’t marry him unless they caught the thieves, but what if they never caught them? Had she just sealed her fate with an impossible promise?

But she had meant what she said. She couldn’t marry him knowing he had given her everything while she had given him nothing.

She hadn’t known how to explain it to him, with that intensity radiating off him, but it was because she wanted to marry him with a clear conscience that she insisted on helping him solve this.

The temptation to hide behind her locked door while others handled problems was undeniable, but one thought gave her courage. The thieves wanted her gone. They saw her as a threat.

She was getting closer.

The rising sun pushed back the darkness with its pale yellow light, the sky fading from deep violet to silvery-blue. The extra light eased the burning strain on her eyes as she read and reread letters until a soft but urgent knock sounded on her door.

“Miss Lacy? Are you in there?”

Nora recognized Janie’s voice. She quickly gathered up the letters and shoved them under her pillow before unlocking the door.

Janie’s eyes darted to both sides of the corridor before stepping in.

“Oh, Miss Lacy! I’m so glad you’re all right.

The duke talked to me himself this morning.

Can you believe it? The duke talked to me!

I suppose that doesn’t sound very impressive to you since you talk with him all the time, but he pulled me aside as if I were one of his trusted men and told me where I might find you.

” She held a small tray of food and a rose pink gown draped over her arm, another lovely selection from the old duchess’s wardrobe. “Will this do for you today?”

Nora was touched to see Janie’s concern for her, which made her request even more difficult. “Thank you, Janie, but no. I don’t mean to be a bother, but today I must have my old gown, the pale lavender one I wore when I first arrived. Can you find it for me?”

Janie answered slowly as she laid the tray down. “I’m afraid it has several stains from the mud.”

“I understand, but I would like it anyway.”

“It might take some time to find it, but I’ll try.” Janie’s brows pressed together over her ever expressive, wide eyes.

“Thank you, Janie.”

Even if Nora’s old gown wasn’t as fine as the duchess’s, even if it was splotchy from the mud and faded from the extra laundering it must have endured, Nora wanted something familiar today. She was tired of wearing clothes that belonged to someone else.

And roaming a castle that wasn’t hers.

And wasting time worrying about her father who suspiciously stayed out of her way.

She was tired of murderous thieves and of guessing at all the things Aaron wasn’t telling her.

After nearly half an hour, Janie finally returned with the lavender gown. “You’re fortunate, Miss Lacy.” Though Janie didn’t look very happy to have found it. “I thought the gown might have been lost in the fire, but it was still in the washhouse.”

After helping Nora into the gown, Janie took extra time arranging her hair as if to make up for the mud stains. The end result was a very flattering pattern of twists and curls. When she finished, Nora released a restless sigh. She didn’t think she could sit still a minute longer.

She seized Janie’s hand. “Janie, run to your room and fetch your bonnet. I’d like you to accompany me into the village today.”

“Me?” Janie’s eyes lit up. “Like a real lady’s maid?”

“No. Like a friend. Send for a carriage on your way and don’t tell anyone what we’re up to. Make haste and meet me outside. I intend to leave before anyone can stop us.”

Janie tugged on her sleeve. “But His Grace specifically instructed me not to let you leave without him.”

Nora gave her a conspiratorial smile. “You can most truthfully tell His Grace that you had no choice. You have to accompany me to keep me from going alone, Janie. I can be very stubborn.”

Nora could see the inner debate playing out across Janie’s face. A slow but eager smile eventually won. “Very well, Miss Lacy. I’m coming for your own good.” With that, she ran out the door.

Nora used the moment alone to examine herself in the glass.

Instead of the familiar feel she had expected from her old gown, the fabric itched against her skin and hung loosely.

The lavender, faded almost to grey by the stains and excessive laundering, made her skin look pale and her eyes tired.

Aaron’s signet ring on her finger looked too large and commanding for the simple dress.

It looked like it belonged on someone else.

Nora turned from the glass and studied the ring up close. All those perfect little vines tangling around that elegant D were choking it, leaving no room for anything else. She slid the ring off her finger and placed it in the silver box on the dressing table that held hairpins.

“You will stay here today,” she whispered. “Too many tangles.”

Nora left her room and moved quickly through the corridors. A few servants openly stared at her before nodding a hello, but otherwise Nora didn’t see anyone else until she rounded the final corner into the great hall and bumped into Mrs. Manning.

“Oh, excuse me!” Nora collected herself.

“Miss Lacy! Pardon me! I should have been more careful.”

“No, no. The fault is mine. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Nora tried to step around the prim housekeeper, but Mrs. Manning stepped with her, blocking her path.

“I beg your pardon, Miss Lacy, but what are you doing out so early? The duke has given everyone strict instructions to alert him if we see you outside your room without him today.”

“Of course, he did.” Confound it! How many servants had Nora already passed?

Did that mean Aaron had already been apprised of her roaming?

She took a deep breath and kept her voice pleasant.

“I understand, Mrs. Manning. You have to follow orders, but as you can see, I’m perfectly well.

Would you be willing to walk extra slowly on your way to tell the duke?

I wouldn’t want you to trouble yourself too much on my account. ” Nora gave her a pleading look.

Mrs. Manning bit her lip but eventually nodded and patted Nora’s hand.

“How overwhelming this all must be for you. These are strange circumstances.” She seemed to be debating within herself.

“You know, my foot has been aching today. I can hardly manage more than a careful walk as it is. I’m sure it’s going to take me twice as long as usual to reach the duke’s study. ”

“Thank you, Mrs. Manning.”

A few minutes later, Janie came rushing down the stairs in what was probably her best dress and bonnet, her cheeks a pretty shade of pink, her eyes aglow.

She lowered into a practiced curtsey and looked expectantly at Nora.

“You’re certain this is all right, Miss Lacy? Me coming with you like this?”

Nora laughed. “You’ll be excellent company, and I promise, I won’t let this outing of ours cause you any trouble. Listen, I believe that’s our carriage now.”

The light whinnying of horses and wheels crunching over gravel reached her ears.

Nora eyed the footman who stood at the imposing doors.

If he was under the same instruction as Mrs. Manning, he didn’t bother to stop her.

Outside was a stylish black curricle, its leather head pushed all the way back to allow for an open-air ride.

Two lovely greys that Nora had seen in the stables next to Locket waited in their harnesses, ready to pull as soon as the driver gave the command.

When Nora’s eyes landed on the driver, sitting in smug handsomeness, she instantly steeled her lips in a line and folded her arms.

Aaron threw her a brazen wink, stepped out, and handed the reins to his groomsman. He had the audacity to then give Nora the most rapscallion smile she had seen him wear yet, then tipped his hat at Janie.

“Thank you for being willing to escort my betrothed to the village, but I’m afraid I must claim that pleasure for myself today.”

Janie stared openly at Aaron. Nora could see the exact moment in her face when she realized a reply was expected of her.

“Of course, Your Grace.” Janie dipped into a quick curtsey, giving Nora a look full of disappointment and apologies behind a forced smile as she rushed back through the castle doors.

Nora was sorely tempted to tell Aaron that she was not going into the village after all.

How dare he interrupt her plans? But when she turned to face him in his particularly fine riding coat, his boots freshly polished, his hair neatly styled, and the fresh scents of warm, spicy citrus beckoning her to draw closer, she grudgingly accepted his hand and stepped into the curricle.

Letting go as soon as she found her balance, she settled into her seat. More scents reached her, both sweet and savory, warm and buttery. Looking around, she discovered two large baskets strapped to the platform on the back, which she suspected were the sources of the mouth-watering smells.

“There’s enough in there to last us the entire day, I’d wager. Compliments of Mrs. Bloom.”