“My governess helps me! I enjoy the stories so much, I cannot help but push myself to learn new words. Do you know what a dictionary is?”
His loneliness, she realized, the more he went on, was not just about the distance from his father but a hunger for connection. His curiosity, so rebuffed by the Duke, was endearing to her. In fact, he reminded her of herself as a young girl, curious and consumed by stories and studies.
By the time the footman came to clear the plates, Oliver was animated, laughing, and telling his own story about a Scottish pirate captain.
“And the pirate was about to make his way off with the treasure, his ship on the shores of Loch Ness when a beautiful maiden named Isla came to stop him!”
“Is that so?” Isla said as her heart swelled at the thoughtfulness of him to tell a story of someone from her home. “Ye are a wonderful storyteller.”
She had chosen to marry the Duke to protect her family, but now, sitting here in this room, she realized her purpose had grown.
“That was a most colorful tale!” She said when he had finished, as well as polished off the last of their after-dinner tea. “Ye got the beauty of the Highlands just right, as well as the pirate’s countenance. I think the heroine could use some work though.Aye, ye ken what? I will send for some of me books from Dalrigh Hall, for us to read together. If you like…”
“That would be so exciting, Your Grace! Do you mean it?”
“With all me heart, Lord Oliver,” Isla said with a smile.
Her new family, this boy and this place, needed her as much as her siblings, as much as Dalrigh Hall. In his sweet, innocent presence, she felt a quiet, triumphant happiness.
This is a start.
Benedict was a man of routine and sharp, immediate focus. He had finished his supper, a precise portion of venison and dry toast, alone in his study. His accounts were spread before him on the mahogany desk, and he was deeply engrossed in dissecting a troubling dip in the quarterly wool exports when a tap came at the door.
“Enter,” he said, not looking up.
He knew by the sound that it was Flark, his long-serving valet. He was a portly, older gentleman whose efficiency Benedict prized almost as much as his discretion.
“Begging Your Grace’s pardon, but a small matter requires your notice,” Flark said, his voice a low monotone.
Benedict sighed, his lips thinning in annoyance as he finally lifted his eyes. “Out with it, Flark.”
“It is about Her Grace,” Flark began. “And Lord Oliver.”
Benedict raised an eyebrow. “What of them? Did they not eat? Is there some other issue at hand?”
“Quite so, Your Grace they did eat,” Flark agreed, without a hint of judgment.
“It is a wedding day, not a bloody carnival. Am I meant to entertain everyone, or get to work? What is the issue?”
“Well, it was upon the footman’s delivery of the meal tray to Her Grace that she countermanded your order.”
Benedict’s quill froze inches above the ledger. “She… did what?”
“She requested the tray be removed, and that the main dining room’s smaller table be set for herself and Lord Oliver.”
A cold knot formed in the pit of Benedict’s stomach, making him wish he had indulged in more sustenance. He leaned back in his leather chair, the sound of the springs protesting slightly in the room under his force.
“It is of no matter to me,” he said sharply, though slightly peeved at the change in his order. “It is good for them to become acquainted.”
“They dined at the small table by the hearth. And they were… enjoying a lively conversation, according to the second footman who cleared the plates. A most unusual amount of laughter was noted. Lord Oliver was telling a story, apparently.”
Laughter. Lively conversation.
How long had it been since his son had laughed so openly? The thought of his Scottish bride, sitting with his reserved, dutiful son, speaking of stories…
He rose slowly, standing to his full, intimidating height. “Fetch me my greatcoat, Flark. I require a moment of air in the gardens before I retire for the evening. These ledgers will need to wait for tomorrow, with a clear mind.”
“Very well, Your Grace,” Flark said, already turning to obey.
