Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Her dream stayed with her and created a shyness she had not felt around Oliver thus far.
He seemed not to notice. She had awoken with a dampness in her lower core that gave more fuel to her hesitation to engage with Oliver.
Sitting in the room’s only chair as he addressed her in a matter-of-fact tone that allowed her to recover from her improper dreams, suspicious but never quite knowing if it was all truly a dream.
“We can stay one more day for the horses and my people to rest before we return. I daresay the return home will be much quicker as we will go the direct route rather than spending all day seeking to find your direction. Trying to catch up to a coach should have been easy but you had quite a start on us.”
Oliver frowned. “I want to take you over my knee to release some of my irritation at having to chase you across the country, but I shall wait. You are mine, now, my Lilli.”
The little minx didn’t know it yet, but she was about to embark on a different way of life with him.
Oh, she would have her property and run it the best she could with his guidance and oversight, but she was his.
And when his Little Lilli next went through a tantrum, he would be ready with the remedy.
“You could have waited for me, so why waste your time tracing me all over the country?”
Lilli sounded intrigued, and that confounded Oliver.
Did she not know that now she was without a guardian, she was his to protect?
Had they not had this conversation or shades of it often enough?
She was more than a ward to him but for now, his position as her guardian would work. Time to speak clearly.
“I am your guardian, but let us be clear: I want to be more. No, I intend to be more. So, in whatever capacity I do it in, you are mine to watch over. That shall never change.”
“Yes, I know all of that guardian expectation, and I suppose I shall have to submit because I cannot find my errant father, but what else? I mean, you could have sent someone after me rather than come yourself.”
“Ahh. Now I understand. You thought I would not think it important enough to come myself. If it were anyone else, I would agree.” Should he tell her more?
Maybe not yet, but soon. “I take my responsibilities very seriously and you are part of my family now. That means you are granted my personal attention. It will always be so.”
She didn’t say anything more but looked a little lost. “I would like to stay one more day in search of my father, however, I should be honest when I say I do not intend on returning home until I find my remaining parent. You are free to accompany me, if you must.”
His sigh was dramatic. Let her have her illusion of control a while longer. “Let us have today, first, shall we?”
He held back his smile when her eyes widened. “Well, of course, if you need to tend to your people and your animals, that will take precedence.”
“Oh no. I’ve no need to do that. So, my dear, what direction shall we wander?” Oliver asked as he watched her slowly finish her breakfast. “Within the confines of this village, that is.”
She sat her fork down. “I expect it won’t matter because you intend to take me home whether I am done with my search or not,” she replied sullenly, arms crossed over her bosom.
He refused to hide his smile. This woman was definitely his Little darling, soon to be duchess.
Now to get her to agree to that status change.
That may well be his most difficult challenge thus far.
“I would like that to be the outcome, of course, but I am no fool when it comes to you. I have learned that no means yes to you. If I pull, you will yank in the opposite direction. So, I think, if we accomplish your task that you have set out for yourself, then we can return to our daily lives, both feeling a modicum of satisfaction.”
“Yes. I would that we could find him alive or dead.”
Her shoulders slumped even further. Could she be tiring of her pursuit of a father that may well be dead or long gone from one country into another?
Her generally cheerful attitude was gone.
The spark of her fight, gone. Dammit, now came the irrational need to help her find her father, if for no other reason but to make her happy.
She was so joyous when she felt excitement or accomplishment.
But she was travel-weary, and he couldn’t allow her to continue to traipse the country. What to do?
Earlier this morning, before Lilli had awoken, he went down to check on his men and stock.
A grizzly older man came up to him and shook his hand.
“I see you have met up with that little spitfire who shot the thieves yesterday. She is a force to be reckoned with, but I’m sure I’m not telling you anything.
She was the first to fire of the two passengers.
Her having a gun surprised all of us but luckily, her reaction was immediate.
It was what we needed to be able to finish the job.
The others were either run off or killed.
While I’m not sure how I feel about her carrying a gun, I’m rather glad she did.
I bet that one is a handful. Mind you take care of the lass.
” He reached out his hand to shake Oliver’s again before striding out the door.
Yes, she was skillful, but it wasn’t worth risking her safety. He needed to find the least disruptive way to take care of her. His need to spank the impulsive risk-taking out of her was strong. It would come soon enough.
“Let us find a mutual ground to start from. You don’t want a guardian, and I assure you that being your guardian is not what I want, either. However, I have come to realize that is exactly what you need until you have reached the of majority.”
“Or a husband.”
His brow raised. “Precisely. I can set my mother, the duchess, to the task. We can find you a husband that would meet my standards. Would that be your preference?”
“Absolutely not. Well, not now, but I fear it is not only expected, but the most intelligent choice.” She sighed again. “My life has ceased to be mine, anyway.”
“I would not despair of your autonomy just yet, little one. How much information do you have to find your father?”
“Very little, now. I have seen my father’s relatives. And I have used up the last of their suggestions in the last town behind us. One person pointed to the village here. I thought I’d simply ask around.”
“How long ago did someone last report seeing him?”
“Well, it has been a few years. They did know who he was several towns back, but not since.”
“How important is it to find him? Forgive me, but the man left you. I would not do that nor would I abuse you. While you are under my care, you would want for nothing. Do you have the assurance of that with your father?”
She shook her head. “I do not know anymore. I do not mind saying I am growing weary of this pursuit but how can I give up?”
“Not give up, find another way to get the same things accomplished. Find a safer way.”
“I must own, the last coach ride was eventful.”
“Eventful? My dear darling, it was explosively dangerous!” Oliver shivered in remembered fear upon hearing the news while pursuing Lilli.
“It will save your strength being expended in an area that may not produce any good results. You have an estate to run and cannot be away for much longer. I can bring in a Bow Street Runner and let him do the work that he is much more suited for and let you oversee Heatherfield. You are well suited for that work.”
“And you would be able to go home and stop chasing me.”
“There is that, but you appear exhausted and it is unconscionable for a young lady to be traveling alone. And well you know it. You find yourself in the suds often, I daresay.”
“It sounds good but what if he doesn’t do a good job?”
“The ones I hire always do well.”
“You hire them often?”
“Enough.” He leaned back in his chair.
“I’m just not sure.”
“Here is a little incentive. If you go home with me now, I won’t answer the need that I have to firmly smack your fleshy arse.”
“My Lord! That won’t happen in any circumstances.”
“I am legally your guardian, so I believe it is well within the purview of my position to keep you safe and appropriate. If you defy me, that is naughty and I must correct your behavior.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. I am an adult even if the law is blind to it, but fine. I will let you send out your man, but I intend to ask around in the shops before I leave.”
He was suspicious, but it did make sense, so he nodded. But as he caught her eye, there was mischief in them prompting him to change his course of action.
“I have had a change of heart instead of sending my man with you, I intend to be your escort. I am sure I need something whilst there.”
” It is such a distraction as I don’t need anyone with me but, in response to the world that is always trying to say a woman is inappropriate, I will bow to an escort only. But one of my choosing, surely.”
“It is either me or you stay in. Make the choice, my Little Lilli, for I stand firm on this point.”
“Fine. Do what you will, but I do hope you aren’t embarrassed to step into the women’s shops.”
“I have been known to frequent the seamstress shops for gifts for good girls.”
“I am ecstatic that you have someone who responds to your superiority, Your Grace.” His Little Lilli was peeking out saucily.
“It does make life more enjoyable. Is a dress shop a place you believe your father would frequent, for I own that sounds peculiar.”
“No, of course not. But I might need to add to my trunk of clothing. I did come with very little, after all.”
“That would be permissible. I should come in to make sure your choices are appropriate.”
“I have chosen my clothing for at least these last five years.”
“That may be true but your decision-making since my acquaintance has been less than stellar.”