Page 36 of Claiming His Lost Duchess
Sophia launched herself into his embrace without hesitation, her small arms wrapping around his neck with complete trust. Graham closed his eyes and held her close, breathing in the clean scent of her hair and marveling at how perfectly she fit in his arms.
“Can I keep one biscuit?” she asked hopefully. “Just one?”
Graham chuckled, taking one of the treats from her small fist. “Just one. But we'll share it, shall we?”
He lifted Sophia into his arms and made his way back through the house toward the nursery he’d had put together expertly for her comfort, stopping only to light a single candle to guide their way. Sophia chattered quietly about her day, telling him about the books she had read and the games she had played with her dolls.
“Mama taught me to read very early,” she confided as they climbed the stairs. “She said it was important for girls to be clever, not just pretty.”
“Your mama is very wise,” Graham agreed. “And you are both clever and pretty, just like her.”
Sophia giggled. “Do you think Mama is pretty, Papa?”
“I think your mama is the most beautiful woman in all of England,” Graham said honestly.
“But she gets sad sometimes,” Sophia said, her voice becoming more subdued. “She tries to hide it, but I can tell. She looks worried a lot.”
Graham felt his chest tighten with concern. “What do you think she's worried about, sweetheart?”
Sophia was quiet for a moment as they reached her chambers. Graham set her down gently and began turning down her bed covers.
“I think she's scared you might think that you do not want us anymore,” Sophia said in a small voice. “She used to get the same worried look when we did not have enough money for food. I think she was scared something would happen to me.”
The innocent observation hit Graham like a physical blow.Of course. Joan's protective behavior, her reluctance to trust him with Sophia, her constant vigilance – it all made perfect sense now. She wasn't afraid of him specifically; she was afraid of depending on anyone other than herself.
“Sophia,” he said gently, tucking her under the soft covers, “I want you to listen to me very carefully. I will never, ever leave you or your mama. Do you understand? No matter whathappens, no matter how worried she gets, I will always be here to take care of both of you.”
Sophia's eyes were very serious as she nodded. “Promise?”
“I promise,” Graham said, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “Now, get some sleep,mo leannan. Tomorrow we'll ask Cook to teach you the proper way to ask for midnight snacks.”
Sophia giggled sleepily. “Goodnight, Papa. I love you.”
The words hit him like lightning, filling every corner of his being with warmth and purpose. “I love you, too, my sweet girl. More than you could possibly know.”
As Graham made his way to his own chambers, his mind was spinning with new understanding. Joan's fears weren't about him – they were about survival, about protecting the most precious thing in her world from potential abandonment.
He would simply have to prove to her, day by day with every passing moment, that her fears were unfounded. That he was not going anywhere, that he would move heaven and earth to keep both his girls safe and happy.
It might take time, but Graham had spent five years searching for Joan. He could certainly spend however long it took convincing her that she was finally, truly home.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Joan was still in her night clothes, sharing breakfast with Sophia in the sunny little sitting room that adjoined their chambers, when Penelope burst through the door with barely contained excitement.
“Your Grace!” the maid exclaimed, practically bouncing on her toes. “Madame Dubois is here with her assistants. They've come to fit you and Lady Sophia for new gowns!”
Joan nearly choked on her tea. “I beg your pardon?”
“The modiste, Your Grace,” Penelope clarified, as if this explained everything. “His Grace arranged for a completely new wardrobe to be made for both you and Lady Sophia. There's an important ball coming up, and he wishes to attend with you, and saw it as a good opportunity to get the little lady some new clothes as well.”
Joan set down her teacup with trembling fingers. Graham had arranged for new clothes without consulting her? The gesture was generous, certainly, but the presumption behind it made her stomach clench with familiar anxiety.
“I wasn't aware that such arrangements had been made,” Joan said carefully.
“Oh yes, Your Grace! But you do not have to worry about a single detail, because the duke has arranged all the necessary details. His Grace was quite specific about wanting only the finest fabrics and most fashionable styles. He said...” Penelope paused, a slight blush coloring her cheeks, “He said that his duchess deserved to be dressed like the queen herself.”
Before Joan could respond, Sophia clapped her hands together with delight. “New dresses, Mama! Real lady dresses like the ones in my storybooks!”
