Chapter 1 #2
Then he fell from his horse and broke his neck. Death had been immediate, and David was left with the constant burning sensation of bile in his throat. After all, he had been riding with his father and witnessed the accident. It was a memory that David couldn’t get rid of.
He knew it wasn’t his fault, and his sisters didn’t blame him, but it didn’t stop David from feeling guilty that he couldn’t do anything.
There was a knock on the door, and David lifted his head, only to groan and have it fall back onto the pillows.
“Who is it?”
“It’s George, Your Grace.”
David didn’t think he would get used to being called that. He rolled onto his side.
“What do you want?”
“I have your breakfast tray. Do you want me to bring it in?”
David was about to say no and go away, but then his stomach started growling. The sound was actually quite embarrassing. Sighing, he adjusted the pillows and eased himself up.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and his valet came in carrying a tray.
The aromas coming from the freshly cooked food wafted past David’s nose, and he felt his stomach rumbling again.
He tried to remember if he had managed to eat anything the night before, and he barely recalled having half of his delicious meal.
But his stomach had been churning at the memories in the house, so David couldn’t eat anything.
Now he was paying the price for it.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” George said as he put the tray on the bed across David’s lap. “I’ll get your clothes ready for the day, shall I?”
“Please.” David looked at the food, his mouth watering. “What time did Nanny Drew say that they were arriving today? I can’t remember.”
“I believe it was just before lunch. They’re going to set off early to get here.”
“And MrsLazenby knows about this? The girls have really big appetites and will be starving when they arrive.”
George smiled.
“MrsLazenby is very much aware of what you said, and she’s been cooking up a feast in the kitchen.”
That was no surprise. Even when they had lived in the house David was now occupying, MrsLazenby would make everything perfect for them. She didn’t let anyone have an empty stomach. Although David felt she wouldn’t be too happy with him having not eaten everything the night before.
I’d better eat all of this now; otherwise, they’re going to think something’s wrong with me.
Your father died not too long ago, so you have an excuse.
It won’t last for long with MrsLazenby.
As he munched some toast, David looked around.
This had been his room when he was seventeen, and things didn’t seem to have changed much.
He had been offered the bedchamber his father had used, but David couldn’t bring himself to step across the threshold.
While it was his room now, David still saw it as his father’s.
Almost like he was going to turn up and use it again.
Of course, that was impossible, but David’s mind wasn’t completely clear about the possibility.
It was easier to stay in his old room, even if it was smaller. But it was David’s room, and it was just what he needed.
He cut into his bacon, watching as George picked out his master’s clothes and laid them out.
“Do you think Henrietta and Gwen are going to like the house?” he asked. “Henrietta was five when we left, and Gwen was only a couple of weeks old. She will obviously not remember anything, but Henrietta …”
“They’re going to love the house, Your Grace. It’s a perfect place to raise them, after all.”
“Even with the memories?”
His valet glanced up at him with a sympathetic smile.
“I’m sure Lady Henrietta will have fond memories of her childhood home. She won’t feel anything bad for the place.”
David hoped so. Because while it felt good to be back, he also remembered the reason why they had left in the first place.
Only a few weeks before they had walked out for the last time, his mother had died.
She had a difficult birth and died after losing too much blood.
Gwen was alive, and they could sustain her with milk from the nursemaid, but her mother was gone.
David remembered the moment the midwife had told his father the news, her face pale and unable to get her words out for the tears clogging her throat. His father had run from the room, and there was a scream of anguish not long after.
David had felt the world tilt and collapsed onto the floor. Henrietta, only five years old, had no idea what was happening. David had clung onto her as he sobbed, wondering how he would tell his sister that their mother was not coming back.
A few weeks later, they had moved to their other residence in Buckinghamshire. While they kept this house going, keeping it clean and running with a household staff, David’s father had vowed not to go back. He couldn’t look in any of the rooms without remembering what happened to his wife.
Now David was running away from their Buckinghamshire estate after witnessing his father’s death.
He could see where his father was coming from now, walking from room to room and seeing a dead person imprinted on practically everything.
Of course, it was here as well, but it was muted.
David thought enough time had passed that he could cope.
This was why he had gone ahead of his sisters, to ensure he could do it.
“Will that be all, Your Grace?”
“Hmm?”
George was standing by the bed, watching him expectantly.
David realised he was holding a fork with food on, and it hadn’t gone anywhere.
He shovelled it quickly into his mouth, holding up a finger for George to wait as he finished his mouthful.
George, the ever-patient man, just waited. He didn’t seem to be annoyed at all.
Either he was just used to the man he had served for fifteen years, or David was really bad at reading people’s expressions.
Once he had finished his mouthful, David swallowed and nodded.
“If there isn’t anything else, you can go. I’ll be able to dress myself. You help the rest of the staff prepare for my sisters and their arrival.” He paused and gave George a sly smirk. “And for Nanny Drew’s arrival.”
George’s face went bright red, which made David laugh. Jennifer Drew had been the girls’ nanny for the past two years. She was young, pretty, and vivacious, which made her popular with the staff due to her cheery disposition.
But it was a surprise when George, someone who had vowed to her he would always love his wife after she passed away six years ago, started paying her a lot of attention. It was surprising but quite sweet, especially when it looked like things were mutual between them.
He would be looking forward to their arrival as well.
“That … there’s nothing between us, Your Grace,” George protested, although it sounded a little flat. “I like and respect Nanny Drew …”
“Did I say anything about it, George?”
“Well, no …”
David chuckled.
“I think you’re seeing things that are not there with my words. I’m just making an observation, that’s all.”
From the way George’s eyes narrowed at him, he had seen something different. David laughed and waved towards the door.
“Off you go, George. Go and help out around the house. I’ll get myself ready.”
“Do you need me to give you a shave, Your Grace?”
“You did that yesterday, and my sisters aren’t going to care if I don’t have myself clean-shaven.” David rubbed his hand over his bristled jaw. “Besides, I kind of like the look. It’s quite interesting.”
“I don’t think everyone else will have the same opinion, Your Grace.”
“Well, nobody else is here, is there? If I need to be in mixed company, I’ll have a shave, but we’ll leave it for now.”
“Very well, Your Grace.” George bowed. “Just let me know if you need anything else.”
David watched him go, wondering if George would be better-looking with a beard. He had the features that would be perfect for one. Maybe Nanny Drew would like it as well.
Pushing the thought away, David concentrated on his breakfast. He was starving, and after yesterday, he didn’t want to get a scolding from MrsLazenby. He was approaching thirty in a few years, but that wouldn’t matter to the cook.