Page 67 of An Innocent Maid for the Duke
‘In the upper chamber they have a view of St Petersburg,’ Eleanor said, drawing his attention to her. She looked more animated that she had for a while. His offer had pleased her and he could not help but feel glad. Mostly these days she simply looked sad. ‘I read in the paper that it is even better than going to visit the actual city,’ she continued. ‘Apparently one can see the whole thing, though it is quite a climb to the top.’
‘You had better eat a hearty breakfast, Rose,’ Grandmama said, with a chuckle. ‘You are going to have your hands full with those two.’
‘Two?’ Rose asked.
‘Lucy and Jake,’ the old lady said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Rose smiled such a sweet smile his heart gave a strangely painful little thump. It meant nothing. He was glad for her, that was all. He simply wanted to give her an opportunity that might never present itself again.
What was he letting himself in for? An expedition alone with Lucy and Rose, that was what. Something he was looking forward to far more than he should.
* * *
The morning was warm, the sky blue with only a few puffy clouds sailing along on a light breeze when Jake helped Rose into his town carriage. A grand black affair with its wheels picked out in yellow and the ducal crest emblazoned on the door. Once she was settled, he handed Lucy in as if she was a grown-up young lady.
The child spoiled the impression with a giggle. Once inside she hopped up on the forward-facing seat beside Rose, wiggling around until she was comfortable.
After giving instructions to the coachman, Jake climbed aboard and took the seat facing them.
‘How long will it take to get there?’ Lucy asked.
‘Half an hour,’ Jake said. ‘Depending on the traffic.’
The coach pulled off.
‘Exactly what should we expect to see when we visit this Panorama?’ Rose asked. ‘Perhaps you should explain it to Lucy.’ She’d looked up the word, but it hadn’t been listed. His grandmother had waved a vague hand and called it a vista, which Rose had learned came from the Italian word forview.
Jake gave her a rather mischievous look. ‘It’s a surprise.’
He looked younger with that expression on his face. More handsome than ever. Somehow more dear.
The nervous flutter in her stomach increased. She had hoped he would give her some guidance as to what to expect. There were so many traps to avoid when moving among the members of theton. But clearly he wanted to surprise his little niece. Who was she to want to spoil the occasion? And, truth to admit, she was really looking forward to accompanying Jake on this adventure. For that is what it would be.
‘Oooh!’ Lucy exclaimed, bouncing off the seat and lurching towards the window. ‘Birdies.’ She grabbed the ledge and pulled herself up to lean out, pointing.
In a flash, Jake leaned forward and pulled her back to sit on his knee.
‘Uncle, you made me miss the birdies,’ Lucy grumbled.
A second later a horse and carriage going in the other direction passed so close Rose recoiled from the noise and the swirl of air that swept into the carriage, raising a cloud of dust in its wake. Her breath caught in her throat as she realised it could easily have hit the little girl’s head.
‘What did I tell you about leaping about inside a moving vehicle?’ Jake growled. He sounded so severe the little girl visibly shrivelled. Poor little thing.
Rose recalled one of the maids telling her that his father and brother had died in a carriage accident. No wonder he looked so fierce.
He cared for this child. Deeply. Rose couldn’t help admiring his protective streak even if he had spoken too harshly.
Then she saw that he had softened the effect of his admonition with a gentle touch, one hand holding the little girl gently but safely on his knee while the other rubbed comforting circles on her narrow little shoulders. He shifted so she could once again see out of the window, but this time in safety.
‘You know if you stick your head out like that you will frighten the horses coming the other way,’ he said.
Lucy gave a nervous little giggle. ‘They would be scared of my head?’
‘Certainly,’ he said. ‘Horses are stupid creatures. They are terrified of rabbits and can shy at the mere sight of a ribbon fluttering on a hat.’
‘Did Grandpapa’s horses see a hat?’
Rose’s heart stopped. Jake never talked about his father. He became positively remote if the subject came up.
