Page 137 of His Duchess in Disguise
“Your Grace! We met but three days ago. These things take time.”
“What! Not love at first sight?”
“Not hate at first sight, at least. I enjoy your company. I feel safe when I am near you. Your man, Mr. Hamilton, clearly likes and respects you, as does Captain Arnault. Mrs. Pearthorne thought well of the Captain, so I think his judgement of you can be relied upon.”
“Hmmm. So, compared to the Earl of Cleweme…”
“There is no comparison, Leo. I made sure my dance card was too full to stand up with him, and you will observe I went to a great deal of trouble to run away from him. I know a little bit more about running away now, so you may rest assured that if you frightened or disgusted me, I would have been gone by first light this morning.”
“Oh, I don’t know…perhaps marrying a duke is more attractive to you than marrying an earl?”
Emma made a face at him. “Now you are teasing me. If such things mattered to me, I am assured of being a duchess if I marry you. I would only be a lady were I to wed an earl. But I would marry an ordinary country squire over Lord Harlow, so long as the squire was an honorable man.”
“So, you see me as an honorable man? Are you sure that this journey is not one intended to deceive you?
“No, I’m not sure. But I do trust you. I have been told that trust is important in marriage. I hope you are not deceiving me, Your Grace.”
“And I, you. So while we are plain speaking, let me say a few words before this conversation gets too far afield. Emma, you are like a young warrior maiden. I admired the way you stood up to the roustabout, even though he was more than twice your size. Robbie admired the way you kept on going, even though the morning he caught sight of you was cold and wet. You do not disdain difficult tasks, but you are not as skilled at taking care of yourself as you like people to think. We can work on that if you like.”
Emma colored up to the roots of her hair`. “Your Grace, I think you give me too much credit.”
“Not at all. I do wish you would call me Leo. When you call me ‘Your Grace’ I can feel the walls going up between us. I brought Mary and Hamilton because I hoped it would protect your reputation and make you feel more comfortable. Now, I almost wish I had not. Getting a moment alone with you has been very difficult.”
“Do you want a moment alone with me, Leo?”
“Oh, very much so, sweet Emma. In fact, I’m looking forward to a lifetime of moments alone with you. Do you care so very much about dances and ballrooms?”
Emma sighed. “Not nearly as much as I thought I would. In fact, washing that mountain of dishes my first night in the kitchen was almost easier. Had my body not already ached from walking and riding far more than I am accustomed, it would almost have been pleasant.”
“Oh? I would not have thought scullery duty to be pleasant.”
“Your Grace, I was warm, there was a roof over my head, the company was pleasant. Even though the work was hard, Mrs. Chambers is very kind. You have no idea what a gem you have as a cook.”
“I do appreciate the food that comes out of her kitchen. But I am guessing you are telling me that she has other virtues.”
“She reminds me of Mrs. Able, the housekeeper who oversaw most of my upbringing. I do hope she and Mr. Jones are all right.”
“I’ve sent a man to make inquiries. If I can lure them away from their present situations, I hope to have them as part of your household.”
“You have? Oh, Your Grace, that is splendid! In all events, I shall have word of them, and they will know that they need not worry about me.” Emma squeezed his hand and leaned toward Leo.
“It would be splendid if you remembered to call me by my name and not the confounded title,” Leo said with some asperity.
To his surprise, Emma giggled and gave his hand a squeeze. “You are much, much more than a title, Duke Leo.”
Leo sighed. “That is progress, I guess.”
“Oh, Leo. Does it bother you so much?”
“It does bother me. It is a reminder that I have lost my father and my brother and been thrust into a position for which I have no training and never really wanted. But someone must take responsibility for the estate and the people. In this last year, much has fallen into disrepair. That sheep shed you sheltered in, for example. It should have warm blankets, a small store of food, a cook pot, and wood. While nominally for the herders, it is also intended to serve just the purpose for which you used it.”
“You took care of it?”
“I took care of it. Or to be more accurate, I dispatched Robbie to take care of it.”
“I’m glad. It is very lonely out there on the chalk, especially at night with the snow coming down and the cold wind blowing. I think Rags and I might have frozen to death had not Sir Faithless sought shelter, as well.” Emma leaned against Leo’s shoulder, just a little.
“Sir Faithless?” Leo asked, shifting slightly to encourage the lean.
