Page 17 of The Wise Daughter
“I have another locked away for official use. I think I’ll find comfort knowing this one is in your keeping.”
She trembled as he took her hand and warmed it between the two of his. He tested the ring on each of her fingers, taking his time, letting his fingers slip over hers. It should have been obvious after the first try that the ring wouldn’t fit any of her slender fingers, but he slowly continued the exercise, patiently, gently as her breath grew shallow again.
The ring was supposed to be a distraction, not an excuse to remain close. Nora started to pull away when the housekeeper, Mrs. Manning stepped in, informing them that rooms were ready for Miss Lacy and her father along with baths and meals. Nora liked Mrs. Manning right away.
“Before you leave, Nora,” the duke said, “there is one more thing I want to make perfectly clear.” He finally slid the ring onto her thumb and kissed her knuckles. “I won’t be accused of not being romantic.”
Chapter 7
Morning light poured in through the windows, washing all the room’s furnishings in soft, golden light. The walls were tastefully covered in white floral paper with wood paneling, giving the room a simple but charming elegance that Nora quite liked. Had the inn always been this spacious and comfortable?
She stretched her arms and nestled deeper into the soft blankets to keep out the early morning chill. Her mind clung to dreams nearly forgotten as she hugged her pillow until the light grew stronger, and the fog in her mind started to clear.
The bridge, her silly wish, the man unconscious who was actually a very handsome duke…
She bolted up, remembering everything, and flung her blankets aside. Her spacious bedchamber with its four poster bed, heavy curtains, plush carpets, and large fireplace was much too elegant to belong to an inn. It was true.
She was at Holmrook Castle.
She was engaged.
To the Duke of Ravenglass.
Her head swam. To go from wealth to rags in the course of a month and then from rags to a soon-to-be duchess in a single day left herreeling. There would be no end to her father’s gloating. His plan had actually worked.
She twisted the duke’s signet ring, which was still on her thumb. Its golden oval bezel was awkward and large for her slender hand, but she didn’t dare take something that important off lest she lose it.
“He’ll likely call for me this morning only to explain that he indulged in too much drink last night and cannot be held accountable for any promises he made.”
Never mind the fact that she hadn’t smelled an ounce of liquor on him. She had certainly been close enough to detect it if he had indulged. No, there had only been a spiced citrus scent that Nora wanted to breathe in again.
This is silly of me.She flicked away a feather and determined not to start her day with thoughts of standing close to the duke.
As soon as he changed his mind about their engagement, she would return to her original plan of begging for a position among the staff. It was completely possible that she would be the one stoking the fires tomorrow morning.
She spun the ring around her thumb. “Breaking the engagement seems inevitable when we are barely attached.”
What did she really know about him after all?
She could now honestly refute any rumors claiming he was sickly or elderly. He was quite in his prime. She supposed it was possible he was mad since entering into an engagement with someone he had just met did not seem like the wisest decision.
“But that would make me just as mad.”
Even after meeting him, he wasn’t any less mysterious. Was he as generous and forthright as his actions last night suggested? He had adamantly given his word, but would he keep it? How did he treat his household? How would he treat her father? How would he treat her?
“If he takes such pride in knowing how to be romantic, he must have experience trifling with female hearts.”
She frowned at the signet ring and almost took it off when the same maid, Janie, who had helped her with her bath and dress the previous night came in humming, carrying a bundle of cream-colored fabric. A handful of years younger than Nora, Janie looked at her with open eyes that made her appear perpetually astonished.
“Good morning, Miss Lacy. I trust you slept well. I’m here to help you dress.”
Nora sat up, pulling the blankets against her chest. “Thank you, Janie, but the gown I wore yesterday, the one you took last night to be washed… well, I haven’t anything else to wear.”
“Not to worry, miss. I selected a gown from the late duchess’s old things.”
“Late duchess? Does that mean the duke’s mother is deceased as well?”
Janie’s eyes grew apologetic. “Forgive me. Mrs. Manning tells me I must learn to be more precise. No one knows exactly what’s become of the duke’s mother.”
