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Chapter Thirteen
When Stephen arrived at the Stanton home, he didn’t expect the three women who resided there to greet him at the door. Mrs. Stanton was at the head of them, her smile broad and welcoming. “Mr. Norton,” she greeted. “I didn’t know you would be back so soon.”
“I was in the neighborhood,” Stephen responded, a bit awkwardly. “And I thought I should check on Hannah while I’m here.”
The two girls behind Mrs. Stanton peered curiously at him. The older one had her hand in a bowl of flour, moving around idly as she took him in from head to toe. Every time he looked at her, she didn’t care to avert her eyes, though she tried to pretend she wasn’t taking him in.
The younger one was blatant with her perusal of him, sticking her head over her mother’s shoulder. Stephen couldn’t decipher what that wide-eyed excitement in her eyes meant.
“Oh!” Mrs. Stanton said suddenly, after standing and staring at him for a few seconds. “Come in, come in. I shouldn’t have you standing out here. Would you like something to drink? Julia, fetch Mr. Norton some tea.”
The younger one scurried off to do as she was told just as Stephen shook his head. “I’m quite all right, thank you. I won’t be here for long. I have other matters to attend to, unfortunately.”
Like more of my duties as the new duke.
Julia slowed her steps, then returned enthusiastically to her mother’s side.
“I haven’t introduced my daughters, have I?” Mrs. Stanton said. She brought the older girl closer to her. “This is my eldest, Miss Lily, and this is Miss Julia. Girls, this is Mr. Norton.”
“Good day, Mr. Norton,” Miss Lily said, her voice low but strong. “We’ve heard what you’ve done for Hannah. You are quite the good Samaritan.”
“Yes, well…” Miss Lily’s piercing eyes were making him feel undone, as if she could read his every thought. He rubbed the back of his head. “I’m sure anyone else would have done what I’ve done.”
“Oh, I’m not so sure about that,” Miss Lily said. “But I’m sure you’re eager to see how she’s doing. Sister?”
Miss Julia was already grinning from ear to ear when Stephen turned his gaze on her. “Come with me, Mr. Norton,” she said, swiveling on her heels and walking away.
Stephen followed behind the girl. She didn’t seem much younger than Hannah, and certainly would have been able to make her debut within a few years had she been a lady. She led him up a flight of stairs and down to the end of the hallway where Hannah’s room was.
“Thank you, Miss Julia,” he said to her, already itching to go inside. It was an effort to take his eyes off the door blocking him from Hannah. “I think I can take it from here.”
“I’m sure she’s going to be very happy to see you.” Miss Julia left with those words, her hair swishing behind her.
Stephen suddenly felt nervous. He raised his hand to knock, faltering for a moment when his mouth went dry. He didn’t know what he would say to her when he saw her. Right now, he couldn’t even get his pounding heart under control.
Finally, he managed to muster up the courage and knocked gently. When there was no reply, he opened the door.
What he saw made him go still in surprise. Hannah was on her good leg, the bad ankle raised slightly off the ground. She was holding on to a nightstand, leaning over to the window a couple feet ahead of her.
“Don’t you know how dangerous that is?” Stephen said from the doorway.
Hannah jolted, gasping. She looked over at him, her hair falling into her face to shield most of her vision. He had the instant urge to go over and tuck it behind her ear.
“You can’t sneak up on me like that,” she said breathlessly, straightening as best as she could on her one leg.
“Why are you standing?” Stephen asked. He came closer, folding his arms as he prepared himself to catch her if she fell.
“I wanted to open the window,’ she said. “Let in some fresh air. I thought it would be unfair to call them up here for such a simple request.”
“I’m sure they wouldn’t have minded.” He began to make his way to the window.
Hannah threw her hand out. “Stop! I can do it myself.”
“Hannah, you’re struggling to stand on one leg and you’re too far over. You might hurt yourself.”
Setting her jaw determinedly, she hopped one step closer. She teetered from side to side a few times before she found her balance. “I’m close enough now, aren’t I? I’m sure I can do it alone.”
Stephen saw no use in arguing. One look at the determination in her eyes and he knew he would only be plunging headfirst into an argument he was bound to lose.
