Page 49 of Duke of Emeralds
When the last crumb was gone, Hester said, “Shall we have a walk?”
The girl nodded, already rising to her feet and dusting the crumbs of her breakfast from her frock.
Hester reached for her hand, and together, they left the breakfast room, Mrs. Smith trailing behind at a discreet distance. They moved through the hallways.
Hester led her to the library, as if by instinct. The walls were lined with row upon row of volumes, most of which Hester had never opened. It was, however, one of the places in the castle where she felt both authority and comfort.
She motioned for the girl to sit beside her on a low, tufted sofa near the fire. Then she selected a book from the shelf—an illustrated volume on British mountains—and sat down with it open on her lap.
“Would you like me to read to you?” she asked.
Again, the girl nodded.
So, Hester began to read, keeping her voice slow and careful with each word as she described the heights of Ben Nevis, the wild beauty of the Highlands, and the way the air grew thin and sharp as you climbed. She saw, out of the corner of her eye, that the girl’s expression shifted from wariness to cautious interest.
She paused at the illustration of a craggy mountain shrouded in mist and showed Arabella.
“Do you like this one?” she asked.
Arabella nodded. “It looks cold,” she said, the words muffled as she wrapped her arms about herself.
Hester pulled the girl gently closer then reached for a small blanket at the back of the sofa and wrapped it around her shoulders. Arabella made no objection but instead scooted until her hip was pressed against Hester’s thigh, as if drawing strength from contact.
Perhaps all the girl needed was affection she never had. Hester found her voice trembling as she resumed reading.
They remained thus for some time, the fire popping and settling as the light outside shifted from rainy pewter to the faintest suggestion of blue. At last, Hester closed the book and placed it on the table.
She took the girl’s hands in hers and studied them.
“You are very brave, Arabella,” she said quietly. “You have come a long way. You must be tired.”
The girl nodded though she did not pull her hands away.
“Will you tell me where you came from?”
The girl looked down then shook her head. “I do not want to go back.”
“I understand,” Hester said though she did not, not truly. “You are safe here. I promise.”
A small, uncertain smile surfaced on the girl’s lips then vanished. Hester stood and moved to the bellpull. She rang for Slater, and he appeared in seconds.
“Slater, will you send for the physician?” Hester asked. “Our guest has had a trying ordeal, and I should like her looked over. And bring another blanket if you please.”
He nodded once, and with a glance at the girl, he departed. As they waited, a footman arrived with the blanket. Hester took it and wrapped it tight around Arabella’s shoulders.
Slater returned with a letter on a silver tray, and Hester’s pulse quickened. “From the Duke?” she asked, reaching for it.
Slater’s eyes fell to the wax seal. “No, Your Grace. It is from Lady Alderton.”
Hester’s disappointment was sudden and illogical. She had not realized until that moment that she was holding her breath for a word from Thomas. She set the letter down beside her and smiled thinly.
“Thank you, Slater.” Rising, she said, “Please show us where the girl is staying.”
He led them up the stairs and down a long hallway to a small, pleasant chamber overlooking the east lawn. There, Hester helped the girl into bed and tucked her in.
“If you need anything, you are to ring the bell,” she said, pointing to the cord above the bed. “Mrs. Smith, Slater, or a maid will come at once.”
Arabella nodded and clung to the blanket, but her eyes had already begun to droop.
