Page 23 of An Arranged Betrothal with an Icy Duke
“Fairglen?”
Henry turned, seeing his mother hurrying towards him. “Mother, if you are about to suggest that I need to do something as regards my betrothed, that I need to speak with her or sit with her or – ”
“It is about your betrothed but not in that regard.” His mother’s eyes were sharp. “Fairglen, she spoke with one of the… thedisfavoredcreatures who linger in the local villagethis morning. I believe that she even gave the woman her own shawl!”
Henry frowned. “I beg your pardon?”
“One of the impoverished women came up to her as she and Lady Eaveswood took a ride across the grounds and then out towards the village. It has been told to me that one of these dirty, bedraggled, lazy creatures came to them both and your betrothed gave the woman not only a coin or two but also a shawl or a coat of some kind! From her own shoulders!”
Not understanding why his mother was so upset at this, Henry shrugged. “Why should that concern me?”
“Because she is to be yourDuchess!” came the exclaimed reply. “She is going to have every poor soul coming to your estate, coming to your very door, and demanding the same kind of generosity as this woman was given! You cannot have that, Fairglen. These people are lazy, they do not find work for themselves when they could easily do so and Miss Tidemore’s sympathy and kindness, though well-meaning, does you – and her – no good.”
“I do not think that every person who struggles to make ends meet is lazy, Mother,” Henry answered, speaking slowly so as to give great consideration to all that he said. “I can see why Miss Tidemore might have done such a thing and given that it is her possessions she is giving away, I do not think I can berate her over this action.”
“Then you must speak with her and make it quite clear that she is to refrain, despite her kind heart,” his mother insisted. “It will do you no good, Fairglen. I can assure you of that!” Without another word, she lifted her chin and strode past him towards the drawing room, leaving Henry to stand alone for a few moments. He rubbed one hand over his chin, finding himself a little uneasy. Yes, his mother spoke from a place of concern, having no desire for his estate to be overrun with urchins alldesperate for whatever funds they could glean but was there not also a place for sympathy? A place for where they understood that these people did not have even a modicum of what he himself possessed?
“In that regard, I cannot fault Miss Tidemore,” he muttered to himself, frowning a little as he too followed after his mother towards the drawing room. “I think that is a somewhat generous spirit.”
Much to his surprise, Henry found himself smiling and quickly pushed it away. He wanted to still be very careful around the lady, wanted her to prove herself to him and certainly could not let such feelings overwhelm him! Of course Miss Tidemore would have some good qualities but he could not let them cloud his judgement. He had let that happen once before and he was not about to let himself make the same mistake again.
Chapter Thirteen
“It does pain me to see so many people struggling in such a way.” Edith sighed and looked to Lady Eaveswood as they rode back to the estate. “I know that there will always be the poor but I do think it my responsibility to do what I can to be of aid to them.”
Lady Eaveswood smiled back at her. “I think that is a very generous thing, Miss Tidemore.”
“Edith, please.”
“Edith, then.” Lady Eaveswood’s smile grew bigger. “Then you must refer to me in the same way. Christina.”
Edith smiled back at her friend. “Thank you.” They had been fairly well acquainted in London but, after last evening and the unexpected arrival of Lord and Lady Eaveswood, Edith had found herself all the more grateful for their company. She and Lady Eaveswood had spoken at length last evening about the present circumstances, and Edith had shared everything with the lady without having meant to in the first place! It had all come pouring out of her and Lady Eaveswood had proven to be a sympathetic ear. It had been she who had suggested a morning ride before the other guests arrived in the afternoon, and Edith had found the suggestion an excellent one. There had come with the ride a sense of freedom, which she had not experienced in some time and for which she was very grateful for. To no longer be under the watchful eye of the Duke- even for a while- was a blessing indeed!
“I do not know what the Duke of Fairglen will think of my actions,” she sighed, glancing behind her to their chaperone – one of the Duke’s stable hands – who had been tasked to ride along with them. “I have no doubt he will be told of it.”
Lady Eaveswood lifted her shoulders. “It matters not what he thinks,” she said, firmly. “If you are convinced that to treat such people with kindness and respect is what you ought to do, then no-one can judge you for that, not even the Duke himself. After all, he must learn the sort of person that you are, the sort of character you possess and he cannot do such a thing if you keep that part of yourself hidden!”
Edith smiled and nodded, trying to release the knot of tension in her stomach.
“You have concerns about him, I understand.” Lady Eaveswood sighed and looked ahead to the path as they rode back towards the manor house. “If I am to be truthful – and I shall be, for I believe that we have become good friends and I know you can be trusted – I will tell you that the Duke was not always like this.”
“As in, he was not always as ill-tempered as he is now?”
Lady Eaveswood nodded. “I did not know him particularly well, of course, but my husband has been very dear friends for some years. However, after the Duke’s first marriage did not go as was expected, the Duke hid himself away in this estate for some years and did not once either write to or suggest visiting Eaveswood. My husband was greatly concerned, of course, and did write numerous times to him but no letter was ever answered.” She shook her head and sighed again. “My husband was never angry about that, however. He always told me that he understood why the Duke of Fairglen acted as he did. To have your betrothed marry your own brother on the very same day thatyouwere meant to be wed must have been a great trial indeed.”
“Might I ask why the Duke’s brother stepped in? Why didhechoose to marry the lady instead of the Duke? Surely if it had been her fault and failure, then there was no reason for her to marry.”
Lady Eaveswood’s eyes flashed for a moment. “You do not know?”
Edith frowned. “Know what?”
“That the reason the lady married the Duke’s brother was because they were found together in a compromising position,” came the reply, as shock spread right across Edith’s heart. “I cannot imagine what the Duke must have endured.”
For some minutes, Edith could not speak and instead rode along the path in silence. She was utterly horrified – stunned, even – to hear that the Duke’s betrothed had done such a thing. Though, she feared that the Duke’s brother might also have borne the greater weight of guilt, might have pushed the lady into accepting his affections. Either way, the Duke of Fairglen must have been utterly broken by the situation.
“That is why he is being so cautious with me,” she breathed, as Lady Eaveswood nodded. “Does he truly fear that I would do the very same to him?”
“I presume that he must think so,” Lady Eaveswood answered. “Though I can assure you, no-one else thinks such a thing!”
