Page 34 of The Wise Daughter

Aaron climbed into the curricle and settled into the small space next to her, bringing their arms together and his leg brushing against her skirts. An unreasonable and most unexpected amount of flutters assaulted her, making her grit her teeth in determination to stay upset with him.

The groomsman handed Aaron the reins and stepped back, wishing him a fine outing.

“Well, Nora. Where are we off to this morning?”

His rich, green eyes were much too full of swagger considering their tumultuous conversations last night. Where had his confidence come from?

“We were not supposed to go anywhere, my duke. Janie and I were supposed to go to the shops in the village.”

Aaron shook the reins, sending the horses into an easy canter, and soon, their curricle was pulling away from the castle, through the courtyard, and finally through the castle’s outer walls to the tranquil lands beyond.

The dirt road she had seen only at night when she had first arrived in Ravenglass was littered with fallen leaves and lined with trees and fields of heather, the view only broken by flashes of river.

Her first night in Ravenglass now felt like a lifetime ago.

A thin steeple in the distance that she hadn’t noticed before drew her gaze.

“Holmrook chapel,” Aaron said, pointing.

“The one that needs repairing,” she confirmed.

“We can ride past it if you like.” He didn’t mention marriage, but Nora didn’t know how he could suggest such a thing without thinking it.

She merely shrugged, determined not to talk to him until he brought up the fact that he had interrupted her plans, but it was difficult to maintain a scowl in such crisp, fresh breezes. “Did you see how disappointed Janie was when you dismissed her?”

He looked behind him as if he might see Janie still standing behind them. “I’m sorry for that, but don't you think you should be apologizing to me?”

Nora angled herself to gape at him. “I beg your pardon?”

“You were supposed to wait for me this morning.”

“You expected me to, but I do not recall you asking nor I promising.”

He was silent for several seconds. Sheep in a far-off field bleated and grazed.

The curricle creaked over a large bump in the uneven dirt path.

Trees passed them while distant rooftops drew closer.

A pair of flirtatious birds hopping from branch to branch held her attention until his hand wrapped around hers, sending a new wave of flutters up through her stomach and flying down her arms.

“Your safety is not something I trifle with, Nora. Why did you not wait for me?”

The way her heart skipped like a stone tumbling down the river was strangely at odds with the calm reassurance that seeped into her muscles at his touch.

He lifted their clasped hands and looked them over.

Heat washed over her as she realized he must have been looking for his signet ring. He arched his brow but said nothing.

She swallowed and finally found her voice. “After what happened last night, I needed an escape from the castle.”

“An escape.” His hand tightened around hers like a reflex. His eyes fixed straight ahead as if he were afraid to meet hers. His next words came slowly, deliberately. “I don’t blame you. Last night was one of the worst moments I have ever experienced in my entire life.”

Nora closed her eyes, hating the somberness of his tone and the telling silence that stretched before he spoke again. Without thinking, she gave his hand a squeeze in return.

“I was afraid I had lost you, Nora, that I had failed you. I was the one who knew the dangers, but I proposed marriage to you anyway. I can only blame myself if anything happens to you.”

Her determination to stay upset with him wavered. “Being so severe on yourself will solve nothing.” Several painful heartbeats struck her chest. “I’m sorry to have worried you.”

His grip around her hand relaxed, and his tone grew lighter. “In any event, you cannot blame me for wanting to accompany you on your first visit to the village.”

This brought the smile back to her face. “You forget I passed through it before I ever stepped foot in the castle.”

“That’s different. You and I were not yet engaged.” Before she could reply, he hurried and asked, “Are you wearing your old dress again?”

“I wanted to wear something familiar today.” She looked down at the fabric, stained and faded. The dress was familiar, but it was not the same.

“Don’t forget your new wardrobe is underway. I sent your measurements to one of the best reputed modistes in London.”

“Thank you, Aaron, but I want to select a few things myself.”

“Ah, so the truth finally comes out. You do not trust my taste in fashion. You doubt my ability to select gowns fine enough for you.”

He spoke so casually, so playfully. She never would have guessed from his light-hearted tone that anything else was weighing on his mind. Many things weighed on hers, but she tried to follow suit.

“I’ll judge your taste when those gowns arrive, but remember, I need much more than fine gowns. Do not forget, I must also have my morning chocolate on occasion, and for better or worse, I’m growing much too fond of Mrs. Bloom’s scones.”

“Would you forgive me for interfering with your plans today if I tell you a few are in those baskets behind us?”

She couldn’t suppress her smirk. “Not really. Janie brought me one before helping me with my toilette.”

“Good. Because I was hungry and ate them all before you came outside.”

Nora’s jaw dropped. She was about to reprimand him when his laugh burst out, a deep, hearty, laugh that made it impossible not to join him with at least a small snicker.

“I shall not let you get away with this that easily, my duke. I insist on taking twice my share when we breakfast tomorrow.”

His eyes danced. “Does that mean you promise to breakfast with me tomorrow? No attempting to sneak off again? I thought we were past that.”

Nora looked away to hide her smile as she folded her arms. “I make no such promise.”

He gave her a playful nudge. “Then I can’t promise to save you any scones.

” He tilted his head toward her. “But I do promise to hope for your company and wait in anticipation.” After riding on for some time, he cleared his throat.

“Nora, I must remind you, by venturing out like this together, we are going to create quite a rise from the people today.”

“Ah, yes. That fulfills one of your conditions of our engagement. I am your excuse to become known to the people.”

“Are you prepared for all the attention?”

Truthfully, Nora didn’t know if she was. She hated the thought of finding anyone familiar with the rumors in West Riding, but Aaron had already shown her he didn’t care about such idle gossip.

“I’ll do my best.”

At the first shop, Nora insisted he wait outside.

She wanted to do this part alone, and since there was the curricle to tend to, he didn't argue with her. Inside, Nora was greeted warmly by a middle-aged woman with nimble fingers, a tight bun, and an intelligent look about her. She introduced herself as Mrs. Fatheringham and went to work taking Nora’s measurements.

Nora soon discovered that Mrs. Fatheringham was the sort of person who was polite enough not to press for too many personal details but could pull them into the conversation anyway.

At the end of their transactions, with her curiosity twinkling, Mrs. Fatheringham asked, “Where shall I have these beautiful gowns sent when I’ve finished with them?”

“Oh.” Nora cleared her throat. “Would you mind having them sent to Holmrook Castle? I’m engaged to the duke.” The words were sticky on her tongue, this being the first time she had spoken with anyone outside the castle of her engagement.

“The duke,” Mrs. Fatheringham repeated under her breath.

“The Duke of Ravenglass?” Looking as if she might faint, she took Nora’s hand and pulled her to a chair in the back corner and made her sit.

“Miss Lacy, I don’t wish to offer opinions where they aren’t wanted, but from one woman to another…

The Duke of Ravenglass? Are you sure? Was this arranged for you?

Have you met him? You must find a way out before it is too late. ”

Nora almost laughed. She had known this sort of reaction was possible, probable even, but after spending so much time with Aaron, she found the rumors utterly laughable.

“I assure you, Mrs. Fatheringham, he is nothing like the rumors imply. I’ve spent a great deal of time in his company and can say with complete accuracy that he is kind and generous.

And handsome.” She swallowed, not knowing why it felt important to add that last bit.

She hurried to add, “He takes his responsibilities as the duke very seriously. I even heard him speaking with the vicar about repairing the chapel. I’m sure everyone will soon see how generous he is. I really am a very fortunate woman.”

This last sentence, spoken more to herself than Mrs. Fatheringham, spread in her thoughts like a blossom opening in the sun, and she knew she had spoken truth.

Mrs. Fatheringham’s concern turned to surprise. “Well, I had no idea. I suppose I must congratulate you, then. Perhaps you could drop a hint in his ear to be merciful to the families struggling to pay their dues. I don’t know why the late duke raised everyone’s expenses, but it has come at a cost.”

Nora was moved by Mrs. Fatheringham’s kindness and concern. “I certainly will.”

Had the late duke truly had so many doctor’s bills to pay that he needed to raise everyone’s costs? Or was there some other unforeseen expense, a debt or poor investment?