Page 58 of The Wise Daughter
“No. Like a friend. Send for a carriage on your way and don’t tell anyone what we’re up to. Make haste and meet me outside. I intend to leave before anyone can stop us.”
Janie tugged on her sleeve. “But His Grace specifically instructed me not to let you leave without him.”
Nora gave her a conspiratorial smile. “You can most truthfully tell His Grace that you had no choice. You have to accompany me to keep me from going alone, Janie. I can be very stubborn.”
Nora could see the inner debate playing out across Janie’s face. A slow but eager smile eventually won. “Very well, Miss Lacy. I’m coming for your own good.” With that, she ran out the door.
Nora used the moment alone to examine herself in the glass. Instead of the familiar feel she had expected from her old gown, the fabric itched against her skin and hung loosely. The lavender, fadedalmost to grey by the stains and excessive laundering, made her skin look pale and her eyes tired. Aaron’s signet ring on her finger looked too large and commanding for the simple dress. It looked like it belonged on someone else.
Nora turned from the glass and studied the ring up close. All those perfect little vines tangling around that elegantDwere choking it, leaving no room for anything else. She slid the ring off her finger and placed it in the silver box on the dressing table that held hairpins.
“You will stay here today,” she whispered. “Too many tangles.”
Nora left her room and moved quickly through the corridors. A few servants openly stared at her before nodding a hello, but otherwise Nora didn’t see anyone else until she rounded the final corner into the great hall and bumped into Mrs. Manning.
“Oh, excuse me!” Nora collected herself.
“Miss Lacy! Pardon me! I should have been more careful.”
“No, no. The fault is mine. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Nora tried to step around the prim housekeeper, but Mrs. Manning stepped with her, blocking her path.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Lacy, but what are you doing out so early? The duke has given everyone strict instructions to alert him if we see you outside your room without him today.”
“Of course, he did.”Confound it!How many servants had Nora already passed? Did that mean Aaron had already been apprised of her roaming? She took a deep breath and kept her voice pleasant. “I understand, Mrs. Manning. You have to follow orders, but as you can see, I’m perfectly well. Would you be willing to walk extra slowly on your way to tell the duke? I wouldn’t want you to trouble yourself too much on my account.” Nora gave her a pleading look.
Mrs. Manning bit her lip but eventually nodded and patted Nora’s hand. “How overwhelming this all must be for you. These are strange circumstances.” She seemed to be debating within herself. “You know, my foot has been aching today. I can hardly manage more than acareful walk as it is. I’m sure it’s going to take me twice as long as usual to reach the duke’s study.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Manning.”
A few minutes later, Janie came rushing down the stairs in what was probably her best dress and bonnet, her cheeks a pretty shade of pink, her eyes aglow. She lowered into a practiced curtsey and looked expectantly at Nora. “You’re certain this is all right, Miss Lacy? Me coming with you like this?”
Nora laughed. “You’ll be excellent company, and I promise, I won’t let this outing of ours cause you any trouble. Listen, I believe that’s our carriage now.”
The light whinnying of horses and wheels crunching over gravel reached her ears. Nora eyed the footman who stood at the imposing doors. If he was under the same instruction as Mrs. Manning, he didn’t bother to stop her. Outside was a stylish black curricle, its leather head pushed all the way back to allow for an open-air ride. Two lovely greys that Nora had seen in the stables next to Locket waited in their harnesses, ready to pull as soon as the driver gave the command.
When Nora’s eyes landed on the driver, sitting in smug handsomeness, she instantly steeled her lips in a line and folded her arms.
Aaron threw her a brazen wink, stepped out, and handed the reins to his groomsman. He had the audacity to then give Nora the most rapscallion smile she had seen him wear yet, then tipped his hat at Janie.
“Thank you for being willing to escort my betrothed to the village, but I’m afraid I must claim that pleasure for myself today.”
Janie stared openly at Aaron. Nora could see the exact moment in her face when she realized a reply was expected of her.
“Of course, Your Grace.” Janie dipped into a quick curtsey, giving Nora a look full of disappointment and apologies behind a forced smile as she rushed back through the castle doors.
Nora was sorely tempted to tell Aaron that she was not going into the village after all. How dare he interrupt her plans? But when she turned to face him in his particularly fine riding coat, his boots freshly polished, his hair neatly styled, and the fresh scents of warm, spicy citrus beckoning her to draw closer, she grudgingly accepted his hand and stepped into the curricle.
Letting go as soon as she found her balance, she settled into her seat. More scents reached her, both sweet and savory, warm and buttery. Looking around, she discovered two large baskets strapped to the platform on the back, which she suspected were the sources of the mouth-watering smells.
“There’s enough in there to last us the entire day, I’d wager. Compliments of Mrs. Bloom.”
Aaron climbed into the curricle and settled into the small space next to her, bringing their arms together and his leg brushing against her skirts. An unreasonable and most unexpected amount of flutters assaulted her, making her grit her teeth in determination to stay upset with him.
The groomsman handed Aaron the reins and stepped back, wishing him a fine outing.
“Well, Nora. Where are we off to this morning?”
His rich, green eyes were much too full of swagger considering their tumultuous conversations last night. Where had his confidence come from?
