Chapter Eleven #3
She playfully stuck her tongue out at him. Daphne knew there were some subject matters she shouldn’t inquire about too much. He was opening up to her, and that was all that mattered. That would come in time. Right now, she was pleased just to watch him share.
Having heard about his parents’ brutal murder, she wanted to know what he knew. She understood that he’d hired a detective and finally got the case closed and a man charged. Would he attend the trial or not? Or would he sit it out?
Daphne peered out the window, noting the landscape was beginning to change.
Northern England was very much the opposite of south of London.
Rather than the rolling meadows rocky terrain was more present.
She remembered it from a visit her family took to Scotland to visit her mother’s sister when she was a child.
The countryside very much reminded her of that journey.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m famished,” Arthur said, reaching for the hamper.
“I am as well. We haven’t really eaten since the ball.”
She helped him take the covered dishes from the basket. Roast chicken, cheese, smoked meats, and fruit would take care of any hunger. Daphne squealed when she found a plate bearing seedcake. Arthur took a bottle of red wine and opened it as she began to fix them each a plate.
“Is this enough?” she asked as she passed the plate to him. He exchanged a glass of wine for the plate and sat back on the seat to eat. From the looks of it, Arthur was hungrier than he admitted.
“There’s more if this doesn’t suffice,” he replied. “Thank you for doing that.”
“You’re welcome. I suppose I should get used to it, right?”
“That’s going to take some getting used to,” he replied.
She finished off her plate and was devouring her second piece of seedcake. It was her favorite. “How far do we have to go?”
“I believe we have about three hours until we arrive at the train station and another hour before we arrive at my estate.”
Nodding, Daphne watched as Arthur fixed another plate. “Would you mind putting this up when you’re finished? I believe I’m going to take a nap.”
“Of course. I won’t be far behind you.”
“Trains make you sleepy too?”
“Yes, which can be a good thing.”
Curling up on the opposite side of the compartment, Daphne never knew when she fell asleep. The train’s whistle awoke her and Arthur. He peered out the window, trying to determine where they were.
“It appears we’re nearing the train station in York,” Arthur said.
“Wonderful. Do you have a carriage awaiting us?”
He nodded. “There should be. I sent a telegram while in London.”
Moments later, the train had stopped. Arthur opened the compartment door leading to the platform. Putting their bags onto the platform, he then helped Daphne exit the car.
She looked around at all the people passing them by in a hurry.
Had the telegram not gotten to his staff?
Arthur was looking around and suddenly raised his hand.
A man approached and the pair had a brief conversation.
The footman gathered their belongings and headed to the carriage.
Feeling Arthur take her hand, Daphne relaxed.
He seemed to know exactly how to read her emotions and made sure she was at rights.
Settling herself next to Arthur in the carriage, she waited for the coach to get underway. “Do we go through the village?” she asked.
“No, just the outskirts. I’ll be sure to bring you before we leave. I think you’ll like some of the shops.”
It was already the middle of the afternoon and the sun was beginning to set. She felt his arm envelop her. “You’re cold?”
She nodded and watched as he removed a blanket for her. She closed her eyes as he wrapped it around her. “Thank you. That’s much better.”
They rode along in a peaceful silence as the carriage headed for the estate. It was so nice not to have to converse, that they got along even in silence. Some women thought they had to continually talk.
“Would you like to hear what we’re going to be doing?”
“Getting married, I would guess,” she said sarcastically.
“Clever woman. Yes, but I’m going to see my cousin in the morning and meet with the local bishop about securing a special license.” He squeezed her hand and looked ahead.
“Does that mean we’ll marry tomorrow?”
“That depends on obtaining the special license. My cousin said the bishop was visiting and would be in the area for the next fortnight. Why are you anxious to marry?”
“That is the purpose of our journey, and it appears better if we’re married. You know people talk.”
“Bloody hell. Let them! I didn’t think you cared so much about social proprieties.”
“I don’t, but you’re a duke with a stellar reputation. It would be a shame to put a black mark on it.”
He barked out a laugh. “You let me worry about my reputation, my duchess.”
“That is so foreign to me.”
“You’re going to make a wonderful duchess,” he replied.
“I guess I’m going to have to learn on my own.”
He turned toward the window before he spoke. “I know my mother would have loved you, and she would have had a marvelous time teaching you.”
Daphne patted his arm, not knowing how to respond. “I’m sure she’s somewhere in heaven looking down at you fondly with love.”
“She’s probably laughing at our antics,” he replied.
“You know she is.”
Daphne, not having lost a parent yet, knew nothing of what he had gone through.
He probably had never let his gut feelings out to anyone.
Not even his sister. He’d been keeping everything bottled up inside, which wasn’t good for him.
She knew she herself would be devastated when the time came for her parents to move on.
Hopefully that wouldn’t happen for many years.
“What happens once we’ve married? Will we return to Kent immediately?” she asked.
“Really?”
She felt her cheeks heat up. “You know what I mean. I’m not talking about the marriage bed.”
“I thought we’d stay in my chambers for a day or two.”
“A day or two?”
“Yes. You’ll see. After that, I thought we could take a ride about the estate, see the mine and take you into town,” he replied.
“That sounds amazing. I can’t wait. You do have a riding horse I can use, don’t you?”
“Yes, I think I have the perfect mount for you.”
“Wonderful!” she exclaimed. “There is one thing I forgot to mention, and it’s non-negotiable.”
Arthur raised a brow. He knew what was coming. He’d expected it. “What’s that? Sam will be coming on our journeys between estates and London?”
She looked at him in disbelief. It took a moment for it to completely sink in. “Yes. He’s part of my life.”
“I knew that. What will be interesting to see is how Roddy reacts to Sam.”
Daphne giggled. “I imagine one good nip from Sam will put an end to the curiosity.”
He smiled. “Yes, Roddy is quite curious. I’m afraid he’s going to find he’s met his match.”
She gazed out the window. They’d been on the road quite a while and she was anxious to settle in and have a hot bath and change clothes. And dinner. She was hungry for a good hot meal. Feeling the carriage slow, she quickly glanced at Arthur who was acting all-knowing.
“We’re turning onto the drive,” he said.
“Obviously, since we’re now off the main road,” she quipped.
She heard him chuckle deeply. His baritone made everything he said quite erotic.
Erotic? Where had that come from? How would she even know if something was erotic?
That was one thing he enjoyed doing. Teasing her, testing her limits.
It was far better than most men. They would treat her as though she was just a simple woman who was there for his beck and call.
The carriage came to a halt moments later. She waited while Arthur climbed down and offered his hand. “Welcome to Winding Creek.”
Daphne gazed about the courtyard and then at the magnificent timbered house. It was a far larger Tudor-era house, but it had been given to the family by the king. The king had never been less than extravagant. “It’s amazing,” she said.
“It is, isn’t it. I don’t come here but twice a year, sometimes three, and every time I’m more and more intrigued.”
“Would you like to spend more time here?”
“Right now, I don’t find it possible. Especially now, with a new marriage, my seat as an MP. Perhaps next summer we can spend more time. We’ll see.”
Leading her to the front door, they were met by an aging butler. His hair was snow white and he was hunched over from the many years of service.
“Carter, I thought I gave you a pension and cottage. I appreciate your loyalty, but you need to think of yourself.”
“I heard you were arriving and thought I should meet you.” He glanced at Daphne.
“I apologize,” Arthur said. “Carter, this is my fiancée, Lady Daphne. We intend to marry in the next day or two.”
“Lovely to meet you, my lady. We were all overjoyed at the news. Please do not hesitate to call on the staff should you need anything at all.”
Daphne smiled at the older man. He reminded her of her grandfather, her father’s sire. She didn’t know him long, but the bits and pieces she remembered were his smile of adoration and his unruly white hair. “Thank you, Carter.”
“Has a room been prepared for Lady Daphne?” Arthur inquired.
“Yes, Your Grace. The Elizabeth suite has been readied,” he said, turning to Daphne. “I believe you’ll find it to your liking. It overlooks the rose garden.”
“Elizabeth suite?” Daphne said to no one in particular.
“Legend has it that Elizabeth visited and that was the suite of rooms she was given,” Arthur said.
“I feel honored.”
“It’s only a myth, nothing more.”
She looked around the main hall. “Are there books, diaries and such written in that time period?”
“Yes, my lady. You’ll find everything you seek in the library,” Carter replied.
“Thank you. If you gentlemen don’t mind, I’d like to see my rooms. If it’s no trouble, I’d like a hot bath.”