Page 21 of The Wise Daughter
When the duke opened the door, a breath of rain and wet stone rushed over her. She stepped into the crisp air and saw that they were standing on the roof of some sort of watchtower. The land below stretched as far as she could see in any direction she turned. The sky was shifting from pale grey to clear blue as great gusts of wind tugged on her hair and shook her dress. The stone was speckled with earlier raindrops that were already drying with the emerging sun. Nora spun around, taking it all in, then stopped where the view displayed the estuary and sea beyond.
“Oh my.”
The Esk River wound through the land and village like a necklace, joining the sea which shone in the distance like silver glass. Never had she been so high. Never had she had such a vantage point. She mightas well have been standing at the edge of the world. The thought made her retreat a step.
West Riding was nowhere in sight. That life was entirely behind her. She had not believed it until this moment.
A cold, brisk wind made the hairs on her arms rise. As she wrapped her hands around herself, the duke placed his coat over them, enveloping her in the warmth that carried the same spiced citrus scent that made her want to breathe more deeply.
“Thank you.”
He nodded like it was nothing. If the chill affected him, he didn’t show it, though his white sleeves ruffled in the breeze. She wondered whether he felt any of the same feelings of awe that she did looking out at the land before her, or whether he had seen this view too many times to be much affected by it.
His eyes narrowed but gazed about as if he were seeing beyond the greenery and waters to other memories and thoughts. Nora hugged his coat tighter to keep out the wind and wondered, where was the man who had jested with her by the riverbank? This version of the duke was quiet and pensive.
“My father,” he began, “brought me here when I was a child, not long before he sent me off to school. He told me to look out as far as I could.This will all be your responsibility one day,he said. From the hills and forests all the way to the sea.”
Nora shivered as a cold gust rippled up through the coat’s opening and across her neck. Was he trying to show her his power and reach? She had never overseen more than her own household.
“It’s a great deal to take in, Your Grace. It’s very beautiful.”
“It certainly is.” He nodded. “And it’s massive. I’ve been touring through cramped cities and museums for so long, I’d forgotten what it feels like to live here.” He closed his eyes and lifted his face to the sun. “I just want you to know, Nora, that if this feels overwhelming to you, I understand. It does for me too. As you discover the castle andRavenglass and all its surrounding parts, I will be rediscovering it with you.”
She looked at all the land once again, green and soft. The last thing she had expected was to hear him speak feelings that so closely echoed her own.
“I hadn’t realized you felt that way.” Somehow, acknowledging how overwhelming everything was lightened the sensation. “I’ve lived in West Riding all my life. It must feel strange to call a place home that you have not lived in for many years.”
He quirked a brow. “Just as strange, perhaps, as coming to an unknown castle that is meant to be your future home.”
“Yes, perhaps.” She brushed a hair behind her ear. His words made her feel shy and eager to discuss topics that did not reach so deep. “I’m sure there are stranger things, though,” she said, lightening her tone in hopes that he would follow suit. “Like ladies who talk to portraits.”
Behind the smile he released, she could see him brewing up his own jest. “Or, hmm, let me think. No. I can’t think of anything stranger than that.”
Her mouth dropped open and she found herself wanting to poke him in the side, but then she remembered that she would be poking a duke, not just the man by the riverbank who had teased her. Instead, she pulled his coat tighter around herself and folded her arms. “You won’t get your coat back when you say things like that.”
He laughed, then shrugged. “I could stay out here all day like this, but you must be hungry. Won’t you join me for breakfast now?”
Now that she had wandered the castle and breathed in the morning air, her stomach fully awoke.
“Since I have the advantage of your coat, I’m tempted to see who can last out here the longest, but you’re right. I am ready for breakfast.”
After several minutes of walking, they came to another wooden door with another set of unique sconces, and inside was, yet again, not the breakfast room.
It was the study from last night but with a new life bestowed by daylight. Shelf upon shelf of books winked at her between enormously tall windows. A barge of a desk basked in the sun of the stunning view outside. The two high-backed, cushioned armchairs were positioned around a small table where scones, butter, jam, cream, and two teapots with cups and plates were carefully laid out.
“Welcome to my library, study, and sitting room all in one. It’s one of my favorite rooms in the castle.”
For the first time since coming to their agreement, she felt the promise of possibilities. This was the sort of room homes were made of. She ran her fingers lovingly down the spines of the nearest books. If she spent even a small amount of time here, the room was in danger of becoming a favorite of hers as well.
“It’s perfect, Your Grace. You must recommend some books for me.”
“I’d be happy to.” His chest rose slightly as he surveyed his domain. “But remember, I’d like you to call me Aaron. I am your intended, Honora. There are to be no formalities between us.”
He was right. She should be ready to call her betrothed by his given name. Strange that she didn’t mind him using hers, but she wasn’t ready to take the same steps. She could exchange quips with him as easily as she could with anyone, but using his name now would only pretend a closeness that did not exist between them.
From where she stood, she could almost taste the heavy richness of the warm pastries that waited for her on the table.
“No formalities at all? Because my stomach also dislikes formalities.”Without waiting for further invitation, she dropped into one of the cushioned chairs and added a large scone to the plate in frontof her. “If you insist on using my Christian name, I would rather you call me Nora. Honora sounds too antiquated.”
