Page 60 of The Wise Daughter
“Good. Because I was hungry and ate them all before you came outside.”
Nora’s jaw dropped. She was about to reprimand him when his laugh burst out, a deep, hearty, laugh that made it impossible not to join him with at least a small snicker.
“I shall not let you get away with this that easily, my duke. I insist on taking twice my share when we breakfast tomorrow.”
His eyes danced. “Does that mean you promise to breakfast with me tomorrow? No attempting to sneak off again? I thought we were past that.”
Nora looked away to hide her smile as she folded her arms. “I make no such promise.”
He gave her a playful nudge. “Then I can’t promise to save you any scones.” He tilted his head toward her. “But I do promise to hope for your company and wait in anticipation.” After riding on for some time, he cleared his throat. “Nora, I must remind you, by venturing out like this together, we are going to create quite a rise from the people today.”
“Ah, yes. That fulfills one of your conditions of our engagement. I am your excuse to become known to the people.”
“Are you prepared for all the attention?”
Truthfully, Nora didn’t know if she was. She hated the thought of finding anyone familiar with the rumors in West Riding, but Aaron had already shown her he didn’t care about such idle gossip.
“I’ll do my best.”
At the first shop, Nora insisted he wait outside. She wanted to do this part alone, and since there was the curricle to tend to, he didn't argue with her. Inside, Nora was greeted warmly by a middle-aged woman with nimble fingers, a tight bun, and an intelligent look about her. She introduced herself as Mrs. Fatheringham and went to work taking Nora’s measurements.
Nora soon discovered that Mrs. Fatheringham was the sort of person who was polite enough not to press for too many personal details but could pull them into the conversation anyway.
At the end of their transactions, with her curiosity twinkling, Mrs. Fatheringham asked, “Where shall I have these beautiful gowns sent when I’ve finished with them?”
“Oh.” Nora cleared her throat. “Would you mind having them sent to Holmrook Castle? I’m engaged to the duke.” The words were sticky on her tongue, this being the first time she had spoken with anyone outside the castle of her engagement.
“The duke,” Mrs. Fatheringham repeated under her breath. “The Duke of Ravenglass?” Looking as if she might faint, she took Nora’s hand and pulled her to a chair in the back corner and made her sit. “Miss Lacy, I don’t wish to offer opinions where they aren’t wanted, but from one woman to another… The Duke of Ravenglass? Are you sure? Was this arranged for you? Have you met him? You must find a way out before it is too late.”
Nora almost laughed. She had known this sort of reaction was possible, probable even, but after spending so much time with Aaron, she found the rumors utterly laughable.
“I assure you, Mrs. Fatheringham, he is nothing like the rumors imply. I’ve spent a great deal of time in his company and can say with complete accuracy that he is kind and generous. And handsome.” She swallowed, not knowing why it felt important to add that last bit. She hurried to add, “He takes his responsibilities as the duke very seriously. I even heard him speaking with the vicar about repairing the chapel. I’m sure everyone will soon see how generous he is. I really am a very fortunate woman.”
This last sentence, spoken more to herself than Mrs. Fatheringham, spread in her thoughts like a blossom opening in the sun, and she knew she had spoken truth.
Mrs. Fatheringham’s concern turned to surprise. “Well, I had no idea. I suppose I must congratulate you, then. Perhaps you could drop a hint in his ear to be merciful to the families struggling to pay their dues. I don’t know why the late duke raised everyone’s expenses, but it has come at a cost.”
Nora was moved by Mrs. Fatheringham’s kindness and concern. “I certainly will.”
Had the late duke truly had so many doctor’s bills to pay that he needed to raise everyone’s costs? Or was there some other unforeseen expense, a debt or poor investment?
After one more shop where Nora purchased a new bonnet and held a similar discussion with the woman there, she walked the length of the street where the people of Ravenglass were entering and exiting shops with varying degrees of bustle. Several ladies eyed her with curiosity. A few gentlemen eyed her far more than she would have liked, but most of the people either nodded an amicable greeting or offered agood day.
As they had agreed, Aaron was waiting at the end of the street where clusters of curious onlookers pointed and whispered. When he noticed her, he placed a small basket covered with a white cloth at his feet and jumped down from the curricle to help her up.
“Are you eating more sweets without me?” she asked, taking his hand.
But it was soon apparent he wasn’t. As she settled into her seat, the lumpy white cloth in the basket started squirming and mewing.
“Was your shopping successful?” He nestled into the seat beside her.
“Aaron, what is that?” She pointed to the basket, unwilling to be distracted.
“I was hoping to wait until our picnic to give this to you, but I don’t really have a place to hide it. Now is as good a time as any.” He reached down and lifted the most adorable grey and white kitten from the basket, partially wrapped in the white cloth, and placed it in Nora’s outstretched hands. “I bought the little fellow from a woman with a whole basketful. There must have been seven or eight of them crying pitifully for a new home.”
“Oh!” Nora lifted the kitten to her cheek where it nuzzled against her skin and into the little space beneath her jaw against her neck. “What a precious creature!”
“You mentioned that ridding the castle of rodents would be romantic. I thought, when he’s older, perhaps he can help with that.”
