Page 20 of A Flaming Lady's Secret Valentine
“Now that I have been honest with you, will you be honest in return and tell me why you really sought so quickly to leave Norwich after our—” She stopped herself and shrugged one-shouldered, filling in the blank.
“It had nothing to do with you,” he lied. “There is much to prepare before the Season, namely the hiring of a new steward.”
“You are leaving us?” she asked sadly.
“No. Your father suggested we look into hiring another man to take on a portion of the estate, to save from having me juggle both London and Norfolk—to say nothing of the rest, especially now that Lord Edward has developed a taste for the international.”
Cecilia nodded. “Which portion of the estate would you be undertaking?”
“Whichever half His Grace sees fit to assign me.”
“If he assigns you to London, would you be vacating the cottage?”
Raphael had not expected the prospect to daunt him as much as it did. He had known he had grown comfortable in Norfolk, but he had not known he would find it difficult to leave.
“I would have to,” he answered honestly, averting his gaze to his boots. Cecilia did not attempt to discuss the matter of his moving further.
The carriage entered Cambridge, and Raphael smiled. He had not set foot in the town since he had finished university, four years ago, but it had not changed much. They drove over the River Cam, and Raphael kept an eye out for the University buildings ahead. Flooded by gentle memories, he did not notice Cecilia watching him.
“What is caught your eye?”
“Nothing in particular yet. I attended University here.”
“I did not know that! I wonder what your colleagues would think of you now, working for a duke.”
“Considering the better part of them were sons of peers, or as good as, I doubt they would bat an eye.” They passed his old lecture hall, around which had convened a small collection of students. Satisfied, Raphael sat back.
“Did you enjoy your time at university?”
He considered his answer. “I greatly enjoyed it.”
“I suppose one has to be familiar with law and numbers to work as a steward.”
“Among other things. Between you and me, I was a humanities man.” He drummed his fingers against the side of the box excitedly.
“History was my vice.”
“I would not have thought that of you.”
“No?”
“No. You are much too…” She tried to imitate him, squaring her shoulders, and tightening her make-believe cravat.
Raphael concealed a grin behind his hand. “Boring.”
“Not boring! Pragmatic.” She sat back as well. “What is your favourite period of history to study?”
“Anything French, but preferably the late monarchy. Although that is better kept between us as well. To your earlier point, I think pragmatism and history go hand in hand. History is a summary of facts.”
“Recorded and relayed by biased historians, interpretedad nauseumby biased students. There is reason the world is at war, and it is because no one can agree on what happened a hundred,hundredyears ago, and who owns what and why.”
Raphael started,“Those are sage words, Lady Cecilia.”
“I am not illiterate,” she teased, calling back to their argument in the stables. “Perhaps that surprises you.”
“Only because you constantly underestimate yourself, so everyone else does as well.”
“I do notdo that.”
