Chapter 2
The door to the breakfast room burst open, and Jamie ran in. He was barefoot, but leaped in the air and put his hands on his hips.
“I shall name him General Barksworth, and I shall ride him into battle. He shall be my worthy steed!” he declared, puffing out his chest, his words echoing through the house.
Gabriel sipped his tea and didn’t even bother lifting his gaze. Frankly, he hoped that Jamie would grow out of these fantasies soon enough. He was five now. Wasn’t it about time he started taking life seriously?
Gabriel pulled the paper in front of him and spoke in a dry tone.
“You must find something else to amuse yourself. You’re not to go near that hedge again. Stay closer to the house,” he said.
“But Generals don’t care about borders, and if I can’t go there, then how am I supposed to see him again?” Jamie whined.
“That’s the point. You’re not going to see him again. Miss Wallace made it clear that she doesn’t want you going near her borders, and we must respect that. There’s plenty of room here, and there are other corners of the garden you can explore.”
“But I like that bit!”
“Well, that bit is off-limits,” Gabriel said, only realizing too late that this would make it even more tantalizing to the boy.
“I see. But what if—”
“Jamie, would you please be quiet for just a moment?” Gabriel said, leaning forward and closing his eyes.
“What’s a moment?” Jamie asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Well… how do people decide what a moment is?”
“It’s a few minutes.”
“But who says?”
“Everyone.”
“When?”
“Before you were born. We all gathered together and decided how long a moment is. It’s something that adults know, and children do not, so if you’re quiet, then I shall tell you when a moment has passed.
Now, there’s plenty of the house to explore.
Why don’t you go and see if there’s anything interesting that isn’t in the garden? ”
Jamie nodded and scampered away, giving Gabriel some respite.
He put his head in his hands and took a deep breath, for he couldn’t remember Jamie being this difficult.
Gabriel was busier in London, though. Out here, he was exposed to Jamie far more often, meaning that the countryside wasn’t as quiet as he had hoped.
“More tea, Your Grace?” Mr. Lucas, the butler said.
Gabriel nodded and gestured to his cup.
“That boy is going to be the death of me. I don’t suppose you could… manage him, Mr. Lucas?”
Mr. Lucas’ hand shook so much he almost spilled the tea. A horrified look came upon his face, and his already-pale skin turned a shade paler.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Your Grace, it’s… ah… It’s quite beyond me.”
“Yes, I’m sure it is. It’s quite beyond all of us. I’m beginning to regret leaving Roberta in London.”
“We could send for her.”
Gabriel considered the possibility, but then shook his head.
“No… no. If she comes here, then I risk the house in London becoming riddled with mothballs. No, I shall just have to soldier on. I’m sure he’ll calm down soon,” Gabriel said this more from hope than reason. He looked to Mr. Lucas, whose eyes were filled with doubt.
“Should I hire another governess?” Mr. Lucas said.
Gabriel sighed. “Is there any point? None of them stays for more than a week.” He rubbed his forehead.
“None of them seems to have any patience. Jamie is only a little… exuberant,” he said this with a little hesitation, for it didn’t seem like a coincidence that so many governesses would leave their position so frequently.
Perhaps a change of environment was exactly what Jamie needed.
“Of course, Your Grace,” he said.
Gabriel did not bother to confront the lie.
He had too many other things on his mind.
He had only brought Mr. Lucas and Mrs. Unsworth, the cook, with him, thinking that it would be more relaxing to have an empty house.
While he would miss Roberta, Mr. Lucas would have to handle the cleaning of the house.
Although as this cottage was not as large and would not be as busy, it should not be too much of an arduous addition to Mr. Lucas’ duties.
Jamie seemed intent on filling the house with noise—so much noise.
Gabriel had only been in the country for three days, and already it felt exhausting.
Mr. Lucas withdrew into the shadows to clear the breakfast table.
Gabriel crossed to the window and gazed at the hedgerow that separated his land from his neighbors’.
“This is still better than London,” he whispered beneath his breath, trying to convince himself more than anything.
He didn’t have to put up with people trying to make him remarry after Eliza’s death.
He could also dwell on his guilt that he did not love her as a husband should have, even if there was no obligation to do so for a practical marital arrangement.
Jamie will settle soon. The change was exciting for him. Of course, he was all set up. Soon enough, this would be routine, and the new surroundings would lose their sense of wonder.
Although he still had his troublesome neighbor to think about. That impertinent woman with the sharp tongue and sharper eyes. Who on earth did she think she was to speak to him in such a curt manner? No wonder she was out there; she wouldn’t have lasted a day in London.
He chortled at the thought of her at a ball, curtseying and smiling politely, playing by the rules.
Her glinting red hair catching the candlelight…
his mind drifted toward gentler thoughts, thoughts that seemed to invade his mind without any invitation.
He pressed his lips together and cleared his throat.
There must have been something about the country air that was poisoning his mind.
It was as if he had never seen a woman before.
Well, he certainly hoped that he would never have the displeasure of encountering her again.
He had no hesitation in keeping to his boundaries, as long as she kept to hers as well.
Although the more he thought about it, the more he had to acknowledge that Jamie had been playing where he wasn’t supposed to. An apology was in order, but once it was given, he hoped the matter would be settled.
He placed his empty cup of tea down and then ventured to the kitchens, where Mrs. Unsworth was busy chopping vegetables. She was a vigorous woman, with rough hands and thick forearms. She had a rosy complexion and curls that reached her shoulders.
“Morning, Your Grace. I trust everything was fine with breakfast?” she asked.
“Indeed, Mrs. Unsworth, indeed,” Gabriel said, sauntering into the kitchens and admiring her collection of knives. Mrs. Unsworth gave him a side-eyed glance, like an old dog that was wary of another animal coming into its territory. There was a loud thump as a knife chopped a carrot.
“Is there anything I can help you with, Your Grace? I’m going to make you a nice stew tonight. I’m sure it will do wonders for you and Master Jamie. A nice hearty meal,” she said with a firm nod.
“I shall look forward to it. Speaking of my son… I don’t suppose you would be able to watch over him for a few hours a day?”
Mrs. Unsworth shook her head.
“I’m afraid not, Your Grace, not if you want breakfast, lunch, and supper cooked on time. You know I’d love to oblige you, but there’s a lot to do, and out here it’s not as easy to get food delivered. I need to travel to the village daily, so it’s simply impossible.”
“I see. Well, could you perhaps watch him out of the kitchen window when you are at the house? I’m wary of him running off to places that are forbidden.”
Mrs. Unsworth couldn’t help herself from laughing.
“With all due respect, Your Grace, I think you might have a better chance of getting this carrot to talk. Boys will be boys. I grew up in a house filled with brothers, and they caused my parents no end of distress. I’m sure even you were the same, running about without a care in the world.”
Gabriel narrowed his eyes, meeting her words with a thin smile.
“I certainly was not,” he replied, although in truth he could not remember that far back. Mrs. Unsworth turned her laughter into a cough, pretending that she was clearing her throat. She patted her chest and then wilted under the weight of his gaze, remembering that he was indeed the Master.
“I shall do my best to keep an eye on him, Your Grace. And I’ll let you know if he runs too far down the garden.”
“Good. Thank you, Mrs. Unsworth. Your help is appreciated, as always,” Gabriel said before taking his leave of her. Just as he left the kitchens, he heard Jamie squeal upstairs, followed by footsteps that seemed far too heavy for a boy of his age.
Gabriel lifted his gaze to the ceiling and sighed heavily. The countryside was supposed to be relaxing and calm. So far, it had proven to be anything but, and he certainly hoped that it would calm down soon enough.
Because there was nowhere else he could run. This was his last bastion of freedom, of peace, and he was not about to turn tail and hurry back to London so quickly.