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The maid stuttered a moment, not accustomed to being addressed by the duke. “Yes, Your Grace. Her name is Miss Tabitha Crestwood.”
Andrew inwardly groaned.
“Thank you, Nancy,” he said, dismissing the maid.
After everything he’d said to his grandmother, the old busybody had interfered. Andrew went directly to the dowager’s chambers, beating his fist on the door. He waited until she opened the door.
“Why Andrew, how nice to finally see you.”
He shook his head. “How could you, Gran? After everything I said. I specifically told younotto interfere, yet here you are interfering.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, my dear.”
Andrew ran a hand over his face. The woman knew how to aggravate him more than anyone else.
“You know what I mean, bringing Miss Crestwood here. Why would you do that? I told you to stay out of my affairs. I don’t need help with my love life.”
“Or lack thereof?” his grandmother retorted. “You’re being ridiculous. I invited Miss Crestwood because I enjoy her company. I have met her on several occasions, and she is a lovely girl. Besides, we are only here for a few days, then we will return. Until that time, I expect you to treat her with respect. Do not be a boorish brute, and watch your tongue, do you hear me?”
It sounded like she was scolding a little boy rather than talking to a grown man, a duke no less.
“Very well, I will be cordial, but that is it. Do not expect anything else from me, Gran. I have work to do and business around the estate that needs my attention, plus I have a meeting tomorrow and will be gone most of the day."
Knowing she had won a slight victory, his grandmother nodded her head in agreement and kissed him on the cheek.
“Thank you, dear. That is all I ask for. Will you be staying for dinner?”
“As a matter of fact, I have another engagement, so unfortunately, I will not, but I should be free tomorrow night.”
“Good. I have invited the Wesleys for dinner tomorrow. I wrote them ahead of time, knowing that I was coming. And a few other guests. If that is agreeable with you?”
“You know you may do as you wish. This is your house just as much as it is mine.” With those last words, he turned and went to his chambers.
How was he going to cope being under the same roof with Tabitha? Her room was just down the hall. So close, yet unobtainable. He would keep his word and be cordial, but that was all.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to speak with Tabitha. Hell, he wanted to do more than talk with her, but he wanted to do it on his own terms and not be backed into a corner. At least with Tabitha here, it would give him time to speak with her in private. The country was more laid-back than the city, the rules less restrictive, with more chances to have secret interludes.
Perhaps having Tabitha visit was a good thing, but he’d be damned if he admitted it to his grandmother. The older woman would hold it over his head forever. A knock on the door brought Andrew out of his thoughts. It was his valet to help him dress for the evening.
Tabitha could wait. She wasn’t going anywhere. For tonight, he had to focus on business. Once he was dressed, Andrew descended the stairs, but not before giving one last glance upstairs, hoping to catch a glimpse of the young woman who had somehow captured his heart. He paused only a second before going out to the waiting carriage.
* * *
The next day proved busy.Andrew rose early and took breakfast before anyone else came down. Then he shut himself in his study until it was time to leave for his meeting later that morning. He didn’t want the distraction of Tabitha or his grandmother before he left. Andrew would deal with them tonight at dinner.
By the time he rode back to the estate that afternoon, Andrew was in a good mood. He had a partner for his grain mill. With any luck, by this time next year, they would be one of the biggest producers in the region.
After reviewing the financials for the dukedom, Andrew had concluded that he couldn’t rely solely on the farming and rents from the tenants. There had to be other streams of revenue. Thankfully, Andrew had already made a vast fortune in his private enterprises, which had helped make headway with the debts left to him upon William’s death. His shipping company was doing well, and he would get new horses in the next week or two to fill the stables. Maybe horse breeding would be the next step. For once, things were going as planned.
Andrew made a detour on his way home. There was a man-made pond on the estate which he loved. The solitude of the area allowed him to think, plus it had been his favorite spot since he was a boy.
Once he came to the water’s edge, Andrew dismounted and allowed his horse to drink. It was quiet. There was no breeze to churn the water, only the chirping of the birds. He gazed out across the pond, thinking about nothing in particular, when he had the sensation of being watched. The hairs on the nap of his neck stood on end. Not wanting to appear alarmed if someone was spying on him, he slowly turned around.
He scanned the field he’d just ridden through, but there was no one there, so Andrew turned his attention to the orchard off to the right. There, at the edge of the trees, stood Tabitha. An odd pressure settled in his chest at the sight of her. She wore a light blue walking dress, with a shawl covering her shoulders, and her bonnet. God, she was like a dream come true, as if she’d been waiting for him.
How long had she been standing there? What was she doing this far from the house?
Andrew walked towards her slowly, afraid she would bolt like a scared animal. But she didn't run. Tabitha waited until he approached her. “Good afternoon, Tabitha. I see you found our hidden treasure here.” He motioned toward the pond.
