Val listened as intently to Cecily speak as she had to him earlier that morning. He had known that she was blind, but he had never thought about all the things that meant for her. So many things that he took for granted, like walks through gardens, riding and the horses and choosing and admiring furniture and tapestries for a home were so different for her.
Lost to her was the ability to see the colors of her surroundings, or to watch where she was going when she was riding. He could tell, just from her story, that there were many things she believed were beyond her reach now. He felt a new level of compassion for her. But he felt something else, as well. He realized just how strong and brave she was to carry on through life without a single complaint.
She seemed content, despite her disability, and she had not lost her love for simple things, like visiting the horses, even though she could not see them. Perhaps, his mother had been right about her all along, when she gave her reason for inviting Cecily and her family for dinner. Maybe Val could learn something from her about living and enjoying a normal life, despite his own physical abnormality.
He could tell that she was getting emotional as she spoke. But he could sense that she abhorred the idea of receiving pity, as well. So, instead, he took her hand and put his lips close to her ear when she had finished speaking.
“Thank you for sharing that part of yourself with me, Cecily,” he said, just as she had said to him. “It warms my heart that you would tell me these things. And please, know that you can tell me anything, always.”
Cecily looked at him, her smile warmer and sweeter than he had ever seen it. Her cheeks were pink and, though she averted her gaze, he thought she was very pleased with his response.
“Thank you for listening,” she said softly. “And I will keep that in mind.”
Val nodded.
“I’m glad,” he said.
They reached the stables just then and were immediately met by the young stable boy.
“Good day, your Grace,” he said with warm, boyish innocence.
Val bowed and Cecily curtseyed.
“Good day, Tom,” Val said just as warmly. “Allow me to formally introduce you to Her Grace, Cecily Archer, the new Duchess of Archington.”
Tom removed his hat and Val winced. He knew that Cecily likely did not see the gesture, but he did not want to embarrass her in front of him. However, the young boy did not seem to notice Cecily’s lack of eye contact. He simply grinned and officially addressed her.
“It is a pleasure, your Grace,” he said. “My name’s Tom, and I am humbly at your service.”
Cecily giggled, a sound Val was quickly growing to like, and curtseyed again.
“The pleasure is mine, Tom,” she said. “And thank you very much.”
Tom nodded, still smiling, then turned back to Val.
“How is the new addition doing?” Val asked, glancing toward the back of the stables, where mother and baby were housed.
Tom’s grin widened.
“They are doing extremely well,” he said. “Would you like to see them?”
Val turned to Cecily. He could tell by her expression that the idea thrilled her.
“We would love to,” he said.
As they walked through the stables, Val kept a slow pace. He could see how happy it was making Cecily to get a better idea of her surroundings, and he was thrilled to continue to do it for her.
“There are six horse stalls in total,” he said. “Six on each side. The stall walls and exterior are dark brown wood with black trim.”
The Duchess nodded and grinned.
“I can smell the fresh hay in each one,” she said. “And the oats used to feed the animals, as well.”
Tom looked glanced back over his shoulder, momentarily confused. Val was preparing to defend his wife should the boy say something out of turn. But a minute later, the stable boy’s eyes lit up with understanding, and he gave the pair another warm grin. Val returned it with one of gratitude.
“Correct, Cecily,” he said. “And draped over each wall between the stalls are two large grey wool blankets. The feed buckets hang outside the stall doors on nails in the beams that separate each stall.”
Cecily nodded, closing her eyes briefly. He understood that she was literally imagining every detail he described. Once again, he was in awe of her.
