Page 25 of The Wise Daughter
“I wish I knew where she was.”
Nora didn’t say anything. Her other hand rose and gave his arm a gentle squeeze. All at once, the coldness inside him fled, not gone completely, but pushed back and held at bay by her unexpected warmth. How had she done that so efficiently?
The floor beneath him momentarily swayed as a light, sweet scent that reminded him of apple blossoms filled his breath. Had he imagined it, or was this touch from Nora different than before? He stared down at the curves of her arms, the gentle slope of her shoulders and neck, and the lovely way her hair twisted and fell around her face in soft curls.
He waited for her to look at him, eager to read her face and see if she was just as attuned to what he was feeling now, but when she finally met his eyes, she turned away, her face flushed. She raised a hand to her lips, then pulled her arm out of his.
She stood with her back to him, hugging herself. “You obviously have much on your mind, Your Grace. I’ll leave you with your thoughts.”
His memories must have weighed on him more than he realized. For, when he finally pushed away the fog enough to reach out–
“No, please don’t go–”
She was already gone.
Chapter 10
“You appear to be in a strange mood this evening, Your Grace.” Aaron’s valet, Garner, one of the few servants who he regularly saw, unfastened Aaron’s boots and stood at the ready, calm and collected as always but uncharacteristically open in his assessment.
“Really? I feel perfectly well. I’m only tired.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Aaron observed Garner as he moved about his bedchamber, putting away clothes and boots as if such work were second nature to him, but how satisfied was he really with his work? Nora’s story about sickness sweeping through her household in West Riding rang in his ears.
“Garner, do you feel you have been treated fairly since being employed at the castle?”
Aaron realized he didn’t know exactly how long Garner had been employed there, only that he was ready and waiting when Aaron first arrived after his father’s death.
Garner stopped suddenly and adjusted his shirt collar. “I much prefer it here to other places I’ve worked.”
It was a careful answer.
“And where else have you worked?”
Garner started rearranging items on Aaron’s dressing table. “When I was nine, my father started teaching me his trade.” He gave a dramatic pause and spoke ominously. “Cabinet making.” He made a face. “My father died, and I was handed off from place to place as an apprentice. First, to a blacksmith, then another cabinet maker. I worked on a farm until I ran away.”
“You ran away?”
“Yes, but I was found by a kind preacher who took me in and put me in school, nothing fancy, but it was enough to educate me and teach me some manners. He found a position for me doing odd jobs at a wealthy merchant’s home. I learned a great deal there. When he died, I came here. That was right before you arrived.”
“I see.” Aaron thought about this, about how much upheaval Garner must have experienced, a never-ending round of hope and disappointments. “I’m sorry I never asked before. I just want to say how grateful I am that you’re here.”
Garner looked at him curiously as he dipped his head, but Aaron could see a faint smile spreading. “Thank you, Your Grace. I’m grateful as well.”
After Garner left, Aaron went to the basin to splash his face with water. The bruise on his temple throbbed with the water’s chill, but the coolness was still soothing.
He didn’t expect to sleep at all that night. Every time he closed his eyes, his mind flooded with images of his mother playing the pianoforte, of men sneering at him before throwing their fists, and of a simpler life abroad when his greatest tasks were to listen to tutors and discover new art. And behind every memory, interwoven through every thought was Nora.
Was he being too impulsive, forming an attachment to her so quickly? She was lovely in every way. Every moment together revealed some new admirable quality, her intuitive talent for understanding, her wisdom and thoughtfulness, and the enchanting way her bright blueeyes alternated between innocent curiosity and an alluring mix of shrewdness and honesty. And how many times had he wanted to pull her into his arms and find her lips?
Yes, he was acting quickly, but it wasn’t without thought. His only worry was keeping her safe. Those thieves must never touch her. They must never come near her. He had to sniff them out and apprehend them all the quicker for her sake. And he would, he promised himself.
He just hoped he could convince her to stay.
A slight rattling in the hinges was the only warning Aaron got before Carver burst through the door and marched up behind him. “Are you out of your senses, Your Grace?”
Aaron did not acknowledge him at first but instead, took his time splashing his face again in the basin and patting it dry. Carver often surprised him throughout the day with needs of business to discuss, but intruding on Aaron in his bedchamber at such a late hour was unusual.
