“Now, who shall be the chaser to start?” Harriet asked.
“I do not mind,” Lucy offered, covering her eyes with her hands. “One.”
Phoebe’s eyes widened and she tugged Harriet away from Lucy. They hid behind a tree, each stifling a giggle. Harriet’s heart felt lighter than it had in months.
“There you are!” Lucy exclaimed, lunging towards them.
Phoebe squeaked and sprinted away, smiling broadly. Harriet ducked around the tree and out of Lucy’s reach, running in the opposite direction.
Lucy gave chase, and Harriet watched as Phoebe weaved between bushes, stumbling and tripping but not falling. The smile on her face only broadened and she let out a delighted giggle.
The sound was high and girlish, full of joy and wonder. It made the garden come alive. And soon Harriet was laughing too. She looked at Mrs. Morton and saw the barest hint of a smile on her face as Lucy caught Phoebe in her arms and tickled her.
Harriet moved towards the older woman. “Are you sure you do not want to join in? I find it is always more fun with more people.”
Mrs. Morton hesitated, looking at Phoebe who was grinning at her, hair awry and a streak of dirt on her face. “Oh… Very well. But I refuse to be the chaser.”
“I think it was Lady Phoebe’s turn anyway, Mama.” Lucy beamed at the girl.
Phoebe nodded and covered her eyes. “One.”
Harriet and the other women darted away, not so far that it would be difficult for Phoebe to find them, but enough that they were just about out of ear shot. Lucy had joined Harriet as they hid behind a tree, her mother had moved to the opposite end of the garden.
“I do not think I have heard her laugh like that in months.” Lucy put a hand on her chest, her cheeks red with exertion. “Or smile.”
“She has a lovely laugh.” Harriet felt her heart soar as Phoebe laughed again, having spotted Mrs. Morton hiding. “Your mother is far more nimble than I expected.”
The governess had managed to dodge away from Phoebe and moved with far more speed than Harriet would have expected a woman her age to exhibit.I only hope I am so agile.
“Mama may act like the sternest of headmistresses, but in truth, she is an old softie. As soon as she saw Lady Phoebe smile, I knew she would want to be a part of it.” Lucy grinned. “She loves that girl, though she rarely shows it. She sees her potential, we all do. She could be a fine young lady.”
“I am sure she will be.” Harriet spotted Phoebe coming towards them and beckoned for Lucy to move slightly. “It is nice to see her so alive.”
“You have reached her in a way which none of us has been able to.” Lucy wrung her hands.
“It is hard to reach a child if there is no room for joy or laughter.” Harriet glanced towards the windows of Irondale Hall, thinking of the stretches of empty corridor.
“The Duke only wants what is best for her.” Lucy bit her lip, glancing over her shoulder before adding. “If I might speak freely, Your Grace?”
“Of course.” Harriet had one eye on Phoebe who was now being chased by Mrs. Morton and laughing delightedly.
“I can tell that His Grace cares deeply for Phoebe, and she cares for him as well. He is her only family, but neither of them seems to know how to talk to one another. They do not know how to show each other that they care. It seems to me he wants to try and so does she, but…” Lucy trailed off.
“Neither of them knows how to reach the other?” Harriet offered.
“Exactly and –” Lucy was cut off as Phoebe appeared, lunging towards them. “Found you!”
The words were nothing more than drawing-room volume. Harriet suspected that, for Phoebe, they were a cry of glee.
They scattered, but Harriet felt a touch against her thigh and stopped moving. As she closed her eyes and heard the telltale sound of a giggling child trying to stifle their own laughter, she thought of what Lucy had said.
He wants to try and so does she.She pictured Theodore in her mind, the stoic way he carried himself. Catherine’s words came back to her.
“Perhaps I am what they need.” Harriet whispered to herself.
It felt odd to say aloud, but it filled her with a sense of purpose she had never experienced. One way or another, she would mend the bridge between the Duke and his niece.
CHAPTER 12
