Page 26 of His Darling Duchess
“That sounds like your mother talking, not you, and it also sounds like a horribly restrictive way to have to live. You should not blame yourself for the foul acts and choices of other people, and please believe me when I say no true gentleman would ever act as Grantleigh did. What he did, what he tried to do to you, was despicable.”
His emphasis, his scarcely concealed rage on her behalf, made Aurelia think he genuinely believed what he was saying. Grateful for his support, she found a small smile, nodding. “Yes. You - I cannot believe you would ever behave in such a way. Still, though, I wish I had been more able to fight back. Louis said he felt he had been remiss, that he should have shown me a way a smaller, weaker woman can incapacitate a man. He promised to show Ophelia and Viola; will you show me?”
Aurelia was surprised when Rhys let out what might have been a rough chuckle. “It will be my honour to ensure you are never again put in a position where such knowledge will be of use, but yes. Yes, I’ll show you. There’s more than one way, but I’m fairly sure I know which one your brother was thinking of.”
“Thank you.”
He still had his hand over hers, and though they both wore gloves she could still feel the heat of his hand on hers, was rather enjoying it. When he withdrew his hand and sat back in his seat, she regretted the loss immediately.
Casting about for another subject to talk about, she asked a little hesitantly if he would tell her something of Stowe Park. She feared it might be a sensitive subject because of his growing up there and his tyrannical father, but to her relief, he seemed happy to talk about his home. The long day of travel passed pleasantly enough as Rhys talked with enthusiasm of the tenants who lived on the estate and the people of the nearby villages. It was quickly apparent to Aurelia that Rhys really cared about his people, of all stations in life, and was desperate to live up to his responsibilities as their duke in ways his father had obviously never cared to.
They made good time despite the constantly drizzling rain, due in large part to the quality teams of horses ready and waiting for them at every change. They arrived at Maidenhead before nightfall, and Aurelia fully expected them to travel on into the evening, but Rhys told her he had made arrangements for them to pass the night in the town.
“I have a house here,” he admitted almost sheepishly. “I have plans to sell it, since I make use of it no more than half a dozen times a year and it seems wasteful, but I want to find a buyer who will be happy to take on the staff who are in residence.”
“That is very good of you,” Aurelia noted. “Not many would think of those who might lose their positions when a property is sold.”
“They are my people no matter at which Stowe property they make their homes, and it is my responsibility to do my best for them.” Rhys grimaced. “England has failed to do the right thing by her returning soldiers, too many of whom have found themselves without jobs or homes. I’m committed to doing what I can for them, and you’ll probably find me something of a bore on the subject.”
“Not at all,” she disagreed immediately. “I think it an admirable cause for you to champion, and I should like to help in any way I can.”
The coach halted just then, and Rhys glanced out. “We’re here,” he announced.
Looking around as Rhys gallantly assisted her from the coach, Aurelia saw a good-sized, handsome-looking house set slightly back from the road. Darkness was falling, but from the lit windows she saw further along the street, she rather thought they were close to the middle of the town of Maidenhead.
“This way.” Rhys extended his arm and she put her hand on it, realising as she did so how stiff and tired she felt. Cold, too; the bricks in the basket had chilled long ago, and the one blanket she had placed over her had been rather inadequate, though she had been too occupied in conversing with her new husband to pay much attention to her discomforts until that moment.
A middle-aged couple stood waiting on the steps, making respectful obeisances as she and Rhys ascended. The woman was handsome, probably in her thirties, Aurelia thought, with dark hair neatly coiled up under a lace cap and a plain grey dress and apron. Her husband was dressed plainly in a brown jacket and black trousers, and Aurelia immediately noticed that his left trouser leg was hemmed neatly at the knee, a wooden peg replacing his leg below that point.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bretton,” Rhys introduced, “who take care of the house for me. My wife, Lady Stowe.”
“Your Grace.” Mrs. Bretton curtsied again. “We’re so honoured to meet you. Please, do come in, there’s a fine fire going in the parlour and I’ll bring in tea for you directly.”
The woman seemed nervous, so Aurelia favoured her with a warm smile. “That sounds wonderful, Mrs. Bretton.”
“I’ll just see your men have everything they need at the stable, Your Grace,” Mr. Bretton murmured, and stumped off down thesteps to join the coach. He was very capable on his wooden leg, Aurelia noticed, his posture upright and straight. A former soldier, she thought, understanding immediately why Rhys was so determined to ensure the Brettons would not lose their position when the house was sold.
“The stable is at the back,” Rhys told Aurelia as she turned to watch. “It’s quite large; a dozen stalls.”
“I suppose your men overnight here when they’re moving teams of horses for you to the various changes.”
“Indeed, they do.” After taking his hat, greatcoat and gloves off, he followed Aurelia and the housekeeper into the parlour, noting with approval the crackling fire.
“Oh yes, m’lord, we’re very happy to host your men and the horses when they come through. Gives me something to do other than dust, when I have extra mouths to feed!” Mrs. Bretton was like a mother hen, clucking around Aurelia, taking her cloak, bonnet and gloves.
“Mrs. Bretton is a wonderful cook,” Rhys mentioned. “I am rarely so well satisfied at table as when I overnight here.”
The housekeeper blushed, chuckling. “You do me too much credit, Your Grace. I don’t doubt them fancy French chefs in London set a far finer table than me, with dishes I can’t even pronounce the names of!”
“Half those fancy dishes give this old soldier an upset stomach,” Rhys told her with obvious sincerity. “Your good plain cooking is far more satisfying fare.”
“Well.” Obviously pleased by his words, Mrs. Bretton glanced at Aurelia. “I’ll just bring in tea, shall I?”
“Sounds wonderful, Mrs. Bretton,” Aurelia said with a nod, and the housekeeper hurried out, smiling from ear to ear.
“What a lovely woman,” Aurelia said once the door had closed behind Mrs. Bretton. “I see perfectly why you are so determined to see their positions secured, Rhys.”
Quite why the sound of his name on her lips should please him so, he had no notion, but it very much did. She was standing close to the fire, he noticed then, holding her hands out to the blaze.
