Page 59 of The Wise Daughter
“Wewere not supposed to go anywhere, my duke.Janie and Iwere supposed to go to the shops in the village.”
Aaron shook the reins, sending the horses into an easy canter, and soon, their curricle was pulling away from the castle, through the courtyard, and finally through the castle’s outer walls to the tranquil lands beyond. The dirt road she had seen only at night when she had first arrived in Ravenglass was littered with fallen leaves and linedwith trees and fields of heather, the view only broken by flashes of river. Her first night in Ravenglass now felt like a lifetime ago.
A thin steeple in the distance that she hadn’t noticed before drew her gaze.
“Holmrook chapel,” Aaron said, pointing.
“The one that needs repairing,” she confirmed.
“We can ride past it if you like.” He didn’t mention marriage, but Nora didn’t know how he could suggest such a thing without thinking it.
She merely shrugged, determined not to talk to him until he brought up the fact that he had interrupted her plans, but it was difficult to maintain a scowl in such crisp, fresh breezes. “Did you see how disappointed Janie was when you dismissed her?”
He looked behind him as if he might see Janie still standing behind them. “I’m sorry for that, but don't you think you should be apologizing to me?”
Nora angled herself to gape at him. “I beg your pardon?”
“You were supposed to wait for me this morning.”
“You expected me to, but I do not recall you asking nor I promising.”
He was silent for several seconds. Sheep in a far-off field bleated and grazed. The curricle creaked over a large bump in the uneven dirt path. Trees passed them while distant rooftops drew closer. A pair of flirtatious birds hopping from branch to branch held her attention until his hand wrapped around hers, sending a new wave of flutters up through her stomach and flying down her arms.
“Your safety is not something I trifle with, Nora. Why did you not wait for me?”
The way her heart skipped like a stone tumbling down the river was strangely at odds with the calm reassurance that seeped into her muscles at his touch. He lifted their clasped hands and looked themover. Heat washed over her as she realized he must have been looking for his signet ring. He arched his brow but said nothing.
She swallowed and finally found her voice. “After what happened last night, I needed an escape from the castle.”
“An escape.” His hand tightened around hers like a reflex. His eyes fixed straight ahead as if he were afraid to meet hers. His next words came slowly, deliberately. “I don’t blame you. Last night was one of the worst moments I have ever experienced in my entire life.”
Nora closed her eyes, hating the somberness of his tone and the telling silence that stretched before he spoke again. Without thinking, she gave his hand a squeeze in return.
“I was afraid I had lost you, Nora, that I had failed you. I was the one who knew the dangers, but I proposed marriage to you anyway. I can only blame myself if anything happens to you.”
Her determination to stay upset with him wavered. “Being so severe on yourself will solve nothing.” Several painful heartbeats struck her chest. “I’m sorry to have worried you.”
His grip around her hand relaxed, and his tone grew lighter. “In any event, you cannot blame me for wanting to accompany you on your first visit to the village.”
This brought the smile back to her face. “You forget I passed through it before I ever stepped foot in the castle.”
“That’s different. You and I were not yet engaged.” Before she could reply, he hurried and asked, “Are you wearing your old dress again?”
“I wanted to wear something familiar today.” She looked down at the fabric, stained and faded. The dress was familiar, but it was not the same.
“Don’t forget your new wardrobe is underway. I sent your measurements to one of the best reputed modistes in London.”
“Thank you, Aaron, but I want to select a few things myself.”
“Ah, so the truth finally comes out. You do not trust my taste in fashion. You doubt my ability to select gowns fine enough for you.”
He spoke so casually, so playfully. She never would have guessed from his light-hearted tone that anything else was weighing on his mind. Many things weighed on hers, but she tried to follow suit.
“I’ll judge your taste when those gowns arrive, but remember, I need much more than fine gowns. Do not forget, I must also have my morning chocolate on occasion, and for better or worse, I’m growing much too fond of Mrs. Bloom’s scones.”
“Would you forgive me for interfering with your plans today if I tell you a few are in those baskets behind us?”
She couldn’t suppress her smirk. “Not really. Janie brought me one before helping me with my toilette.”
