Chapter Eleven
Matthew allowed Barrow to shave and dress him for the day.
He wished he would have been able to make better use of his time with Lady Verina, but there had been no way to sequester her from the others.
He had done his best at dinner, however, to speak with her at length.
He believed she had become more comfortable in his company now, and he would build from that foundation.
“Thank you,” he told his valet and then left his bedchamber to head to breakfast. He did not know if Lady Verina were one of those ladies who breakfasted in her room or came to the table.
He hoped it was the latter so that he might have a chance to talk with her a bit more before Hugo gathered his family to return to Merrifield.
As he rounded the stairs and came to the final landing before reaching the foyer, he paused.
Lady Verina sat on the top stair.
She must have heard him because she turned and rose. “May I speak with you a moment, Your Grace?”
“Of course, my lady. What might I do for you?”
She wet her lips, causing a surge of desire to race through him. He had not been to see the widow in some time now and realized he had not visited her since he met Lady Verina, knowing his taste for her had left him. A thought struck him, one which surprised him.
He might be in love with this woman before him.
Since she had yet to speak again, he asked, “What is it you wish to discuss?”
Her gaze me his. “I would like to know more about Dove Hall.”
Her words were unexpected. “What are you talking about?”
“I am not quite certain, Your Grace. But I did meet Miss Stannis last night, and she mentioned Dove Hall. Along with you.”
“Discussing Dove Hall is more than a brief conversation, Lady Verina,” he began.
“I wish to see it,” she said boldly. “I want to learn of the . . . work you are doing.”
He nodded. “Let me escort you to breakfast.”
Matthew offered her his arm. They went down to the breakfast room. Mama was already present, sipping tea.
“Here is the buffet, Lady Verina. You are to help yourself this morning.”
He left her there and went to Mama, bending and brushing his lips against her cheek in greeting. Whispering to her, he said, “She knows of Dove Hall. I want to show it to her. Can you find a way to help me do so?”
Mama smiled up at him. “Good morning to you, my son.”
Leaving her side, he returned to the buffet, seeing that Lady Verina had not been shy about placing food upon her plate. He was used to too many Polite Society beauties who ate like birds, wasting food he brought to them from midnight buffets at balls.
He made a plate for himself and joined the two of them at the table. A footman poured coffee for him as Hugo and Tia appeared, Lady Justina accompanying them.
“We are casual this morning,” Mama said. “You may take whatever you would like from the buffet.”
The other three soon joined them, and they spoke of inconsequential matters. Matthew was afraid Mama was not going to say anything as the meal wrapped up, but he told himself to trust her. Sure enough, she came to his rescue.
“Are you leaving directly after breakfast?” Mama asked.
“Yes,” Hugo replied. “A guest should never overstay his welcome.”
Mama smiled sweetly. “You could never do so, my lord.” She turned to Lady Verina. “I would like to have your company for a bit longer, my lady. Would you care to remain behind at Redfield? We could spend the day together. My son could have you back at Merrifield by teatime or just after it.”
With no hesitation, Lady Verina said, “I would be happy to visit with you today, Your Grace.” She looked to her cousin. “If that suits you, Tia.”
“You may stay, Verina. It will give Justina and me time to ourselves. Perhaps we might go riding together.”
Concerned, Hugo asked, “Should you be on a horse now, love?”
“I have spoken to the midwife about that very thing,” Tia said. “She told me I could continue to ride for a couple of months, as long as I do not gallop at breakneck speed. I am feeling more myself and would like to be outdoors today.”
“I am happy to ride with you, Tia,” Lady Justina said.
“Then it is settled,” Mama declared.
Breakfast concluded, and they all went downstairs to see his friends off. Lady Verina kissed her cousin goodbye, promising to see her later this afternoon.
Once the carriage rolled down the lane, Mama turned to them. “Come to my sitting room with me.”
They went straight to it, and Mama said, “I suppose you have met Miss Stannis, Lady Verina.”
“Actually, her name is Miss Brandon now, Your Grace. She told me she was in need of a new name, and that is the one she settled upon. Along with Patches for her kitten’s name.”
“I see,” Mama said, pursing her lips a moment in thought.
“Miss Brandon is supposed to leave for Dove Hall this morning. Since she seems to trust you, perhaps we all might ride together and see her settled into her new home. I only ask that you do not quiz her, my lady. Once Miss Brandon is safely tucked away at her cottage, you may ask any questions of us that you choose. Do you agree to do so?”
“Certainly, Your Grace.”
Half an hour later, the four of them were seated inside the ducal carriage. Lady Verina sat opposite him, Miss Brandon next to her. The young woman placed the basket she had brought with her between them. Opening it, she removed the black and white kitten she had chosen and settled it upon her lap.
“Patches is going to be such a wonderful companion to me. And Miss Ross, as well.”
“You believe you are ready to live with Miss Ross?” Mama asked.
“As ready as I shall ever be, Your Grace. I have imposed upon your hospitality these last few weeks. Know that I am extremely grateful for having this extra time to think about everything.”
Miss Brandon fell silent, and the others followed suit. Not another word was spoken until they reached the group of cottages on the estate.
Miss Ross came out to greet them, Miss Vines with her. He knew the two women had grown close ever since Miss Ross’s arrival and placement in the cottage.
“Welcome to your new home, Miss Stannis,” Miss Ross told the newcomer.
“It is actually Miss Brandon now,” the young woman said, looking more confident and calmer than Matthew had ever seen her since they had met.
Miss Brandon held up the basket she carried. “I have also brought someone with me.” Opening the lid to the basket, she stepped forward, allowing Miss Ross and Miss Vines to peer inside.
“Oh, what an adorable kitten,” Miss Ross said. “Does he have a name?”
“He is a she. I have named her Patches.”
“Well, you and Patches are both welcome, Miss Brandon,” Miss Ross said. “This is Miss Vines. She is the lady who has made your new gowns.”
“Why, I am ever so happy to make your acquaintance, Miss Vines,” Miss Brandon said. Then indicating Lady Verina, she said, “This is my new, good friend. Her name is Lady Verina.”
They exchanged greetings, and then Miss Ross asked Miss Brandon to come see her new home.
Mama turned to him. “I believe that I will stay with Miss Brandon and help her find her footing. I will see the two of you back at Dove Hall.”
The new Miss Brandon turned to Lady Verina. In a gesture which surprised Matthew, she embraced the younger woman and said, “Thank you, my lady. I hope someday you might come and call upon us.”
“I would very much like to do so, Miss Brandon,” Lady Verina said. “Enjoy your new home.”
The four women turned and went into the cottage, leaving Matthew with Lady Verina.
He looked up to the coachman. “Go to Dove Hall. We will be leaving for Redfield mid-afternoon.”
“Aye, Your Grace,” the driver replied, flicking his wrists and driving off.
“Walk with me, my lady.”
Matthew showed her the various cottages on the property, naming the inhabitants of each which were occupied. She listened patiently, not asking any questions of him yet. He led her from the area and struck out for Dove Hall proper at a slow, thoughtful pace.
“I do not know exactly what Miss Brandon told you. I shall start from the beginning to give you a clearer understanding of my work.”
They walked another few minutes as he collected his thoughts, and then Matthew said, “My father was a very bad man. Family seems so important to you, and it is because you have the love and support of a large family. It was only Mama and me—and we were at the mercy of the previous duke.”
Gradually, he painted a picture of his and Mama’s life at Redfield while his father was alive.
“I was just a boy, but I lived in anguish, not being able to help my mother. The duke’s cruelty to her was great.
His words, used as weapons, were bad enough, but the times he beat her, leaving her bruised and battered, made me feel utterly helpless.
Then one day, I came home to find her . . . gone.”
For the first time in several minutes, Lady Verina spoke. “He had placed her in a madhouse, hadn’t he?”
Matthew nodded. “I did not know that at the time. I only knew she was gone, her absence explained by a weak story which couldn’t possibly be true. The duke had friends staying at Redfield when I came home from school for the summer. I was twelve—and Mama had been gone for two years by that point.”
Lady Verina winced. “Two years?”
“I will not go into the particulars. Just that my father, deep in his cups, fell to his death. I witnessed it from the shadows that night. No one knew of my presence. His so-called friends quickly scattered, leaving Redfield before they might be questioned about the circumstances surrounding his death. I had Ridley summon the constable and told him what I had seen occur.”
He came to a halt, turning and facing her. “The first thing I wished to know was Mama’s location. Servants know so much about the lives of those they serve. I was told of the asylum Mama had been taken to. It was not all that far from us. I went straight to it, demanding her release.”
“How old did you say you were?”
“Ten and two,” he said brusquely.