The carriage rumbled on and in through the wrought-iron gates of the Shawdale estate but as it did so, she snatched his walking cane from the seat and clattered the ceiling. “Stop, please, George. We’ll walk from here.”
“It’s freezing, Charlotte,” the duke muttered beneath his hat. “Don’t be absurd.”
“Stay, if you wish, but I want to walk and enjoy the night. Like we used to.” So after unhooking the lantern from the corner, she opened the door and descended the icy steps that George had unfastened.
Itwasfreezing, but also still and beautiful. She startled but then smiled as an owl flew from a nearby tree, no doubt taking umbrage at her light.
“Drive on, George,” she heard Marcus state but she did not turn.
The door slammed and she watched the carriage trundle on past her towards the house.
How foolish to hope Marcus would–
“Come on then,” a rumble of duke groused, “before I freeze my ballocks off.” Boots tramped to her side. “Hand me the lantern and you’d best hold on to me or you’ll go ars– er…skirts over.”
With a small smile, she hooked an arm through his and glanced up to him, yet his expression was hidden in the weak light.
“Thank you, Marcus.”
For a while, they walked the path to the house without words, and she revelled in the deep quiet that enveloped them. No other mammals scurried and ’twas as if they were the sole two peoplealive. Their breaths misted and swirled as Jack Frost silently went about his nightly business, anointing the land with his slumbrous but wondrous rime.
The mausoleum of the Shawdale lineage lay just beyond the trees but she sensed no restlessness amongst its inhabitants. Indeed, his mother and all those interred there would rest soundly knowing the estate was in Marcus’ safe hands. “Remember when we buried the stable dog in the mausoleum?”
A ducal grunt.
“You cried.”
“I did not.”
She smiled. “I knew not how to cheer you. You were morose for days.”
“I adored that dog. And you were there at my side. Always there for me. That was all I needed. But…”
“Hmm?”
“How do you stay so…cheerful, Charlotte?” He paused. “You never seem afeared by life’s twists and turns.”
She blinked.
Was he cracked in the head?
“I…I am afeared more times than I can say, Marcus. Being a governess is not easy. Interviews still daunt me. And first days with new pupils. Sitting at dinner tables where I know no one, am not one of them. Overhearing a scathing aside. And one girl bit me.” She shivered. “But I will not be cowed because I’ve also had generous kind employers and adorable pupils whom I’ve not wanted to leave. It is all…part of life, the good and the bad. I suppose it’s just that I prefer to hold onto the good, ’tis all.”
A breath gusted white. “You are a better person than me, Charlotte.”
Yes, he was cracked in the head.
“Marcus, I have no doubt whatsoever that you will pay off your last debts, honouring your vow and the memory of yourmother, and go on to bring the estate to full prosperity. Mr Slater wants your advice. Dinah adores you. Don’t be a numbskull.”
They came to the steps of the house and he paused to stare down at her.
His head stooped.
Charlotte stilled.
Dared not move.
Would he–
