Page 33 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
Another figure followed Henry around the corner, and she gasped when she saw the Duke of Montbury with Dash walking to heel beside him.
This is quite ridiculous, she thought. It’s as though he not only takes my breath away but also freezes my thoughts. Every time I meet him, I feel tongue-tied as if I’m going to stumble over my words.
He was rude to me and apologized. I’ve nothing to feel anxious about.
She kept walking towards them, thinking about how she needed to put one foot in front of the other and appear graceful and poised.
She bobbed the usual curtsey in greeting. “Your Grace.”
“Lady Farrington,” he said, bowing, blue eyes rising to meet hers.
She stopped, rooted her feet to the spot, and smiled in greeting. “Have the boys been good?”
Why on earth did I say that? It’s nothing to do with the duke whether my son is good or misbehaves. He’ll think I’m concerned about Henry’s behaviour.
“We’ve had a pleasant time looking at the horses in the Tavern stables. I had to prevent young Henry from applying for the job of stable hand. They have a vacancy now that I’ve poached young Jim to work at the castle.”
“I’m sure he enjoyed that. He loves horses. He’s very capable with them, in fact.”
“Do you ride?” asked the duke with interest.
“I do. It’s one of those great pleasures in life. I’m looking forward to riding across the moors here.”
“Perhaps we could ride together one day?” he suggested, almost casually.
Arabella felt her heart beat a little faster and hoped that her face wasn’t flushing. “I’d like that,” she said quietly.
“I’m aware you’ve only seen me fall from my horse,” he said, laughing. “But I am quite an accomplished rider. There are some lovely riding trails around the Montbury estate, and I’ll be happy to show you.”
“Mama, Mama, Lord Robert says that spaniels are the best dog breed. They have a litter of puppies at the castle, and he says he’ll show me.”
She smiled her thanks. “Henry, I believe you should call his grace the Duke of Montbury and not Lord Robert,” she corrected gently.
“Oh no,” said Robert, putting his hands in the air. “Absolutely not. I’ve told Henry he can call me Lord Robert. Freddy calls me Uncle Robert, and it will be easier for them both to use my name.”
“What a beautiful village,” she said. “It’s quite magical. I always think of it as a scene from a fairy story. Perhaps Monsieur Perrault visited Montbury Village?”
“You know the stories of Charles Perrault?” he asked in surprise. “I grew up with those, but then my nanny was French.”
“Mais non,” she replied, “seulement en traduction … I was given the book of translated stories as a gift by my husband.”
She felt dizzy for a moment, remembering the day that Edward had given her the book. He’d always been surprising her with small gifts and had given her such joy. That was the past, and she could take it out and remember those lovely years whenever she wanted. She realized with surprise that she had mentioned a memory of Edward’s without the usual cloak of grief which usually overcame her at such times.
“We should ask Nathaniel, Reverend Colbrooke, to cover those stories in his lessons,” added the Duke of Montbury. “So many of them are set in woodland scenery, and I think the boys will enjoy them.”
“A good plan,” Arabella added, “which reminds me that I need to speak to my cousin before I take Henry to the tavern for a treat.”
“Can I make a suggestion? Freddy has been a very good boy, occupying himself while I interviewed a new land agent. He deserves a treat. Can we join you at the Beehive?”
She nodded her agreement and hurried to speak with Emma.
“We can join you,” said Emma.
Nathaniel nodded his agreement. “I’d be glad to join you. The boys can do some observations of nature on the way to the castle. I suspect I have gained another pupil,” he laughed as he pointed to Dash. “He is such a well-behaved dog that he’s welcome to join Henry for any of our lessons.”
After a pleasant time at the Beehive Tavern, where they feasted on caraway seed cake and lemonade, they returned to the castle.
The Reverend Colbrooke and Emma led the way, followed by Henry and Freddy. Arabella was in awe of how the Reverend Colbrooke asked them searching questions about botany and wildlife without either of the boys seeing this as learning. He had true talent as a tutor.
