Her shy smile vanished and in its place was a delighted grin. In an instant she had thrown her arms around him, and he held her close.
“Thank you.” It was not a whisper this time, it was louder, smoother, more confident. “For everything.”
“It is my pleasure, Phoebe.” His voice rumbled in the space between them. He knew his voice was deep, not truly a source of comfort, but for the first time she didn’t seem to mind.
They broke apart, and he knew that his face was the mirror image of hers. Her smile stretched just as broadly as his own. It was warm and unguarded. She looked so like Rose, but for the first time, the sick oily guilt did not rear its head.
Instead, he felt like he had just stumbled into a meadow on a summer’s day, with buttercups in bloom and the promise of life starting anew.
Slowly Theodore stood up and Phoebe did not step away. He could sense Harriet behind him, and heard her soft exhale. He wondered if she had been holding her breath.
Theodore gestured to the toys and the dresses. “How about you put those in your rooms and perhaps after, we can all go for a stroll in the garden together.”
Phoebe’s eyes sparkled. “Lessons?”
Theodore shook his head, smiling at his little niece. “Not today.”
Phoebe grinned at him and skipped from the room. Lucy followed after, an equally wide grin on her face. Theodore watched them go, massaging his neck and rolling out his shoulders.
His heart was slowing down, but his blood still felt like it was racing around his body. He took in a long slow, breath. The skin on the back of his neck prickled and he turned to find Harriet watching him intently.
An emotion crossed her face, but it was gone too quickly for him to see. She took a step towards him, and as she did, the sunlight streaming through the window caught on her hair.
It hung around her neck in delicate curls. She had removed her scarf as they had entered the house, and his eyes lingered on the pale skin around her collarbone.
He drank her in, the green dress dazzling in the sunlight, and he smiled, taking a step towards her. He brushed the soft skin of her cheek with his fingertips, moving a lock of hair and tucking it behind her ear.
“You look lovely too.” His voice was husky.
Her eyes went to his lips. The memory of their kiss in the garden filled the room around them. His heart tugged him towards her, but his feet would not obey. He leaned towards her until she was so close that her face was little more than a blur.
There was a knock at the door and Theodore let his hand drop, whirling to face the person in the door. A savage howl boiled up within him and he squashed it down with an effort. He gritted his teeth, wrestling with an anger he had no reason to feel.
“What?” His voice came out sharper than he intended, and he shook himself. “I mean, what do you need, Mr. Grimsby?”
Mr. Grimsby bowed low. If he was startled by Theodore’s tone, he gave no indication of it. “Welcome home, Your Grace.”
“Thank you.” Was it Theodore’s imagination or did Harriet sound a little breathless. “Did you need something from us?”
“From His Grace, yes. Mr. Brown has finished his accounts early and asked that you check them. There was an issue at the Moreton farm, something to do with their sheep I believe.” Mr. Grimsby began listing off several things, and Theodoresuppressed a sigh, massaging his brow with the tips of his fingers.
You are a duke, you cannot simply indulge your whims whenever you fancy.He forced himself not to look at Harriet as he clasped his hands behind his back. His thumb brushed against the tips of his fingers.
“I should go and check how Phoebe is getting on with unpacking her gifts.” Harriet’s hand moved, her fingers outstretched and for a moment, Theodore thought she was going to squeeze his arm, but instead, her hand moved past him, and combed her fingers through her hair. “Shall we meet you in the garden?”
Theodore nodded. “I will be as swift as I can.”
He glanced at Mr. Grimsby who was standing at attention. Theodore continued, “I trust we can do this as efficiently as possible.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Mr. Grimsby nodded. “I have no wish to keep you from your family.”
Your family.The words sent a shiver through Theodore, alarm bells ringing in his mind. He closed his eyes.They are my family.“Good. I told my niece I would walk with her, and I have no intention of letting her down.”
He followed Mr. Grimsby from the room, but as he crossed the threshold, he could not help but look over his shoulder. Harriet was watching him go, her face hidden in shadow.
It took all his effort not to go back to her, and the realization should have made his blood run cold, but it did not. The day was warm and bright, and there would be time enough to worry later.
For now, selfishly, he wanted to enjoy this.
