“Then it is lucky we did not take him.” Harriet reached for Phoebe’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I would not want to put you in danger.”
Phoebe’s eyes flicked towards Harriet, and then back down to the floor. Theodore clenched and unclenched his fists as his tried to think of something to say.How does Harriet do this?
“If you want to ride, a pony would be more suitable,” Theodore said. “I suggested as much to Mr. Grimsby yesterday. Though you understand that it will be a big responsibility. You will need to learn how to ride like a lady and how to spot a good horse.”
Theodore tried to catch his niece’s eye to no avail. “Do you understand?”
Phoebe shifted and he could tell she was swinging her legs back and forth over the edge of her seat. She nodded, but did not speak.
He glanced at Harriet who was watching him expectantly, a small smile on her face as she nodded at him. He could not think of anything to add.
“Perhaps we could all go on a ride together?” Harriet looked from him to Phoebe. “There are some nice areas around – we could take a picnic and perhaps we could draw while we were out.”
“Would you like that?” Theodore asked.
Phoebe nodded again, but did not say anything.This was a mistake.He should not have tried to have breakfast with them. He glanced at his niece, who had scarcely touched her food.
“Perhaps you could show you uncle your new journal later and some of your drawings?” Harriet made another valiant attempt at conversation, but Theodore knew it was pointless.
Still, he played along. “I would like that.”
He thought he saw Phoebe’s eyes light up, but it was gone too quickly for him to be sure. She began to sketch something on the paper beside her, and pushed it towards Harriet.
He watched as Harriet took it from her. “You wish to be excused?”
Phoebe nodded her ascent, looking from Harriet to the wall behind Theodore.
“You may go.” Theodore felt a pang of disappointment course through him as his niece pushed herself away from the table and left the room.
“She barely touched her food.” Theodore gestured to his niece’s nearly full plate.
“Please find Lucy and ask her to get Phoebe something from the kitchens,” Harriet said to one of the nearby servants.
“Yes, Your Grace.” The servant curtseyed and left.
“I should not have joined you.” Theodore murmured. “She needs to eat.
Harriet’s fingers twitched as though she was going to reach towards him, but her hand remained in place. “Just give it some time, the more she gets used to you being around her, the more she will start to relax around you.”
How much more time?He bit the words back with difficulty. Something of his thoughts must have shown on his face because Harriet opened her mouth as though to say something else. A knock at the door interrupted her.
Theodore looked around, hoping for a wild moment that it was Phoebe. His hope turned sour when he saw Mr. Grimsby standing in the doorway, and he frowned. “His Grace, Percival, Duke of Wright is here to see you.”
“I was not aware we were expecting guests.” Theodore got to his feet and glanced at Harriet.
She was adjusting the creases in her dress. “I have received no requests for an audience or anything of the sort since you were away. If I had, I would have discussed such a thing with you.”
Theodore tapped his fingers against the table. “Mr. Grimsby, bring Wright to me. It is not like him to drop in unannounced.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Mr. Grimsby left and Theodore listened to the sound of his retreating footsteps as he tried to understand what had brought his friend to his estate so unexpectedly.
Harriet’s voice jerked him back to attention. “Should we arrange a plate and such for him? Perhaps a fresh pot of coffee?”
“Yes. Though he may not plan on staying long.” Theodore gestured to one of the footmen to approach. “Fetch another setting for the Duke.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” The footman bowed and left the room.
“I shall speak to the kitchens and have them send something up anyway.” Harriet left the room so quickly that Theodore was tempted to call after her.
