Page 41 of The Wise Daughter
“He is spoiling me too.” She thought not only of the kiss but of scones and new gowns, lazing by the fire in the study, and a new little kitten that would keep away mice. But she also thought of Lady Ellen, the misty past of Aaron’s parents, and music he would not play.
She slowly rubbed Locket’s neck, enjoying the softness of her coat and her unique earthy scent.
“What if it is still for money?” Was she falling in love with a man who would eventually grow distant?
“Oh, Locket. I never expected it to be like this.” Her voice trembled to a whisper as a promise solidified in her heart.
“If he expresses any doubts at all, I won’t hold him to our engagement. ” Pride wouldn’t let her.
If he desires it, I will leave.
Now that her feelings were growing for Aaron, she couldn’t imagine marrying him unless he truly loved her. Otherwise, life in the castle would be unbearable.
Locket swiveled her ear and rubbed her velvety nose against Nora’s cheek, her breath rustling the hairs that tickled Nora’s neck.
“Perhaps I’m being foolish, Locket, but I can’t help it.
Now that I know how much he means to me, I fear losing him.
Who knew that falling in love could bring out such insecurities?
Why, even a lady born of ancient royalty cannot be clever and wise all the time.
” Locket huffed and looked her in the eye.
Nora swore her horse understood every word she said.
She leaned close and whispered, “Could you tell me more of what happened in here before I arrived?”
Locket bent down for another bite of oats.
“That’s all right. You enjoy your oats. You’ve earned them.
I told you the duke would have a fair supply, didn’t I?
” She found a nearby brush and went to work brushing Locket’s neck.
“Why I should concern myself with Mr. Carver’s opinion, I have no idea.
I didn’t hear all the details earlier when he was in here arguing, but his decision didn’t seem like a very fair one, did it? ”
“It certainly didn’t.”
Nora’s hand froze over Locket’s neck, her hand tightening around the brush. She spun to see Ruthers near the doorway, striding toward her.
“Would you like to ride, Miss Lacy? I’m happy to prepare your horse.”
“Oh, no. I only came to…” She looked around and stupidly held up the brush.
He chuckled. “It’s all right. I understand. I talk to the horses too. Spend any time with them at all, and a person can’t help it.”
“Yes, exactly.” She laughed with him, a tentative laugh, but how much had he overheard? “Please, forgive me if I was impertinent. I don’t know what your business was with Mr. Carver. I doubt I heard even half of it.”
“You, impertinent?” He scoffed at the idea. “Never. You’re as kind as any lady I ever met, and you’re the future duchess. You’ve a right to do and say as you please.”
Nora pressed her lips together and continued brushing Locket, still unsure what to think of Ruthers.
“I know it’s not my place to say it, Miss Lacy, but you have nothing to worry about with Derricott. When he gives his word, he never goes back on it.”
Nora’s cheeks grew hot. So Ruthers had heard quite a bit of her ramblings to Locket. At least, it made her feel less guilty for listening in on his conversation with Mr. Carver.
“Derricott means to marry you. If you’ll have him,” he emphasized.
Nora brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and tried not to think of kissing Aaron. “I’m sure the duke knows where I stand.”
“I don’t want to see my friend’s heart broken. You have no fear of him breaking yours. You’re a very fortunate woman.”
“Yes, thank you.” Nora was becoming rather uncomfortable with this line of conversation, but it did embolden her to broach the subject of the conversation she had overheard. “Ruthers, what were you and Mr. Carver discussing earlier? Has a foal been stolen?”
Ruthers gave her an appraising look before lowering his voice. “Yes, but Carver isn’t willing to see the crime.”
Nora observed Ruthers closely. He spoke openly, no telltale signs of fidgeting or avoiding her eyes, nothing that suggested he was hiding anything this time.
“Do you think Mr. Carver might simply be trying to keep peace between the duke and the people?”
“That’s only an excuse he uses. Relies on it far too much if you ask me.
What’s to keep more thieves from coming into our stables if they see one successfully making off with the duke’s new horse?
I think he’s so afraid of these thieves that he’s got this estate catering to them.
Derricott will set things right eventually, but I’m not sure he’ll recover that foal in time. ”
“Is there not something you can do to intervene? I believe the duke trusts you a great deal.” She found herself wanting to trust Ruthers more as they spoke.
“I know, but he trusts Carver too. Mark my words, Carver’s a cunning man.
Prideful too. He’ll keep the duke busy until it will be too late, just to have his way.
I’m sure that scoundrel Mr. Gaines intends to sell the foal by the time it’s grown a little.
I just wish there was a way to prove to Derricott now that Gaines stole that foal. ”
Locket knickered and nodded her head as if encouraging Nora in the fresh idea hatching in her brain.
Regardless of Aaron’s feelings for her and how they might change in the future, she had promised to do everything she could to discover who was behind the troubles in the castle.
This had to be her chance to make her own strike.
“So you know who the man is and where he keeps this foal?”
“Seen the creature myself running and whining in the fields.”
That was all she needed. If Ruthers helped her in this endeavor, perhaps she could trust him after all. “Then I don’t see what the problem is. We’ll act quickly.”