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“I am in no need of lodging, as my home is here, nor treats, as there is a baker at home. Since you now live in that home, neither should you need such things, so how is it that you know them?”
“When I was a child, my papa made it a point of duty to take my brother with him to walk the local town, as he would one day be the landlord and wished the people to know him and think well of him. I did not understand why until my mother brought me along, and I saw how everyone treated us—like we were family.”
“That is most unconventional, especially for the marchioness. I always believed her to be a lady of the strictest order.”
“She is.” I laughed, as I could very well attest to it. “And many years prior, she may have believed that. However, that changed with the French.”
“The French?”
I leaned closer, whispering in her ear. “Their revolt.”
Her eyes widened. “Their revolution?”
I nodded, making sure no one could hear us. “My governess told me that there was great fear amongst all the nobles during that time. People felt the discontent would arise here. While, of course, nothing did, the fear impacted my parents. My father had been known throughout the county already. He began to exert himself more, listen more, speak to them as though they were all of the greatest importance. And years of that yielded fruitful results. My sisters and I had more freedom at Belclere Castle. We could walk the streets and talk amongst our neighbors. And they felt very attached to us Du Bell ladies. Of course, my mama made sure to remind us of who we are and our station in life. But we enjoyed it, though we were never without chaperones.”
“So, in part, it is a safety measure and also a way to allow us ladies greater freedom?”
“Yes, but—”
“Little miss!”
My head snapped up to Eleanor, who stood beside Emeline, who had fallen into the dirt. I rushed to her.
“Emeline, sweetheart, are you all right?” I asked, lifting her as her lip quivered. “Are you hurt?”
She shook her head no, but her face still turned red as she tried to clean her hands. I bent down and cleaned off her dress.
“It is all right, my dear, so long as you are uninjured,” I said.
“And all together,” said a voice from behind me.
I had never seen this man with light-brown hair and squared shoulders, who was quite handsome and tall. In his hand was Emeline’s hat. He held it out to me.
“Pardon me, Your Grace. She dropped this.”
“Thank you.” I nodded as Eleanor took the hat from him. “Mr….”
“Topwells.”
He was not the one to answer, but when I glanced back to Verity, she was glaring with an intensity that would put Evander to shame.
Topwells? Where had I heard that surname?
“Verity. You are lovely as always. How is Evander? He has not answered any of my many letters. I am hurt.”
My eyes widened as I saw the carriage of the dowager farther behind him and heard Datura calling out to him. My heart began to race.
He smiled. “Your Grace, it is a shame that we meet like this. I have heard much of you from my mother. You are truly as beautiful as everyone says. Quite surprising, as gossip is never completely honest.”
“Fitzwilliam?” I said.
“Ah, then Evander has spoken of me to you? How grand. I did not think he would do so, as he is known to be taciturn.”
“I beg your pardon, Mr. Topwells. My husband is the kindest of men, truly the best among them.” I smiled and carefully put my hand on top of Emeline’s head, bringing her closer to me. But I should not have, as his eyes shifted down to the girl.
“I see. Well, pardon me then, and you be careful, little miss. You are very precious.” He smiled down at her, but she held on to my dress. He waved to Emeline before turning to walk freely, as if Evander were not seeking to hunt him down.
“Fitzwilliam?”
