Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Hugh’s eyes widened even as Georgie realized she’d called him by his first name. He’d given her permission to do so once, but it seemed highly presumptuous now. Perhaps he wouldn’t comment if she hurried on.
“We didn’t catch him, alas. Bailey, one of our footmen, was watching the hiding hole in the hedgerow.
Anastasia was going for a walk and spotted someone, clever girl!
Bailey said it was a short, slight figure.
He and Morrigan thought it might be a child, but I don’t see how. A short-statured man, perhaps?”
“What’s this?” Max asked, descending the stairs as well.
He, at least, had insisted that all the duchesses call him by his first name.
Unlike Claudia, who generally dressed for every occasion, including a dinner with friends, the new duke wore the same tweed coat he’d had on earlier, and his breeches were speckled with dog hair.
Hugh bowed. “Your Grace. Her Grace and I found what appeared to be the camp of a vagrant on Tyneham lands. She wisely set one of your footmen to watching. He sighted someone.”
Hugh made it sound as if she were the clever one. Georgie beamed at him.
“And are we expecting to locate the person shortly?” Max asked, glancing between them.
“Bailey and Popsby are taking turns watching during daylight hours,” Georgie told him. “Forgive me for not mentioning the matter sooner.”
He smiled. “No forgiveness needed. You seem to have matters well in hand.” He transferred his smile to Hugh as if including him too.
As Max went ahead, Hugh offered Georgie his arm. He’d done the same both times he’d walked her back to the manor, but this time she couldn’t help remembering their courting days. He would offer her his arm, and then curl his other hand over her fingers, as if her touch were something to savor.
She shook herself. He was her vicar and a guest for dinner. He was only being polite. She set her hand firmly on his sleeve. Beneath the wool, she felt his strength, as if he could hold her, protect her.
No! Enough of these distracting thoughts! Facing straight ahead, anything not to look at him, she allowed him to escort her to the sitting room, where the others waited.
Tyneham Manor was fuller than it had ever been since the death of the last duke.
During Georgie’s time as duchess, Freddie had invited dozens of friends for house parties that sometimes lasted a fortnight or more!
During Sophia’s time, the last duke had invited fewer people, and mostly ones that kept Claudia and Georgie in their rooms for fear of their virtue.
Now the older Sir Winfred had been in residence for the past month.
Claudia had thought him Max’s fourth cousin, but Max, whose skills as a historian had frequently led him to research the lineage of other families before becoming duke, had determined that the white-haired baronet was his cousin twice removed.
Also staying at the manor were dear Ben Warden, who was engaged to Claudia and renovating the manor, and his ten-year-old son, sweet Oliver.
They all made for a merry dinner around the table.
Georgie was almost sorry she’d left Anastasia upstairs with Morrigan.
Her pet loved people, but she also loved to beg from the table, and only Claudia had proven adept at refusing.
“And how are the improvements going?” Hugh asked over a fine spinach soup.
Ben pushed up the lock of dark hair that persisted in falling over his forehead. Tall, with intelligent grey eyes and a charming presence, he was the perfect complement to Claudia’s pale beauty.
“Things are going well, thank you,” he told Hugh with a smile to the table at large. “With the weather improving, we’ve been able to lay the foundation for the new conservatory, and the workers are framing up the walls before we apply the stone.”
Seated beside her, Oliver grimaced, candlelight brushing his blond hair. The boy hated noise, of any sort. Georgie patted his hand under cover of the table.
But Hugh must have noticed Oliver’s look as well. “Progress can be loud, I find. If ever you need somewhere quieter, young Mr. Warden, you are welcome at the vicarage. Even if I am counseling someone, either the sitting room or my study will be available.”
Oliver glanced at his father and Claudia as if seeking permission.
“That may be just what we need,” Claudia said graciously, inclining her platinum blond head. “Thank you, Mr. Caddington.”
That was Claudia—regal as a queen, fierce as a knight defending her kingdom. But Georgie was more taken at the moment with Hugh’s offer.
“You always think of the children,” she murmured to him after they’d finished the meal and adjourned to the sitting room for conversation.
The two of them were seated on the sofa, with the others ranging around the room in small groups.
At Georgie’s request, Morrigan had brought down Anastasia, who was making the rounds, soliciting attention.
He smiled. “I remember being that child, alone and unsure. And I suppose I miss the children at the home.”
“The ones I read with must have grown up and left by now,” Georgie mused, a little surprised to recall that more than five years had passed since she’d stopped volunteering at the orphanage. Somehow, sitting with Hugh, it seemed like only yesterday.
“Most,” he allowed. “But there are always more.” He edged forward in his seat, eyes lighting.
“You would have appreciated one in particular. He insisted his name was Pip, no matter that the matron suggested Peter and the physician Percival. His mother had called him Pip before surrendering him, so he would answer to that name or none at all. One of the cleverest and most challenging children I’ve ever had the privilege of serving. ”
Georgie smiled. Hugh had ever treated it as a service, not a chore or duty. He’d wanted nothing so much as to make every child feel loved and appreciated. He would make a marvelous father someday.
“You never married,” she said, then clamped her teeth shut before any more impertinent comments popped out.
He leaned back again. “I had nothing to offer a wife. That point was made abundantly clear to me.”
She wasn’t sure who had told him such nonsense, but she could not help but defend him. “I disagree. You have character, compassion, and a clear conscience. You’ve devoted your life to serving the Lord! There can be no higher recommendation.”
He regarded her. “You believe that now?”
Georgie raised her chin. “I have always believed that.”
He opened his mouth as if to say more, but Anastasia trotted up just then, planted her rear on the carpet, and yipped.
“It seems someone else has an opinion on the matter,” Georgie said with a laugh. She bent and scooped her pet up into her lap. “Tell Mr. Caddington he is a fine gentleman, Anastasia.”
The pug obligingly yipped again, entire body wiggling.
Hugh chuckled. “Such high praise, Miss Anastasia. You will quite turn my head.”
“Who’s up for a game of whist?” Sir Winfred called, rubbing his hands together as if he looked forward to trouncing them all.
Hugh rose. “Alas, I must take my leave of you. I have a full day tomorrow. Thank you, Your Grace, for a fine dinner, as always. Your Graces, Sir Winfred, the Misters Warden.” He bowed all around.
Georgie must have sighed as he left the room, for Anastasia tipped up her little head and licked her mistress’s chin. Georgie giggled despite herself.
As Sir Winfred chivvied Max, Claudia, and Ben into a hand or two of whist, Sophia came to join Georgie. She petted Anastasia a moment before the pug hopped down to trot to the corner where Oliver sat engrossed in a book. The boy was quickly becoming one of her favorite people.
“And what were you and Mr. Caddington discussing so avidly?” Sophia asked with a smile.
Georgie refused to feel guilty. She’d done nothing untoward. “How important children can be. He volunteered at an orphanage in London that later became the Bateman Home for Boys. That’s where we met.”
“Why, he must have an opinion on the dame school we plan, then,” Sophia said.
“He knows we’re organizing one, of course,” Georgie replied, confused.
“But if he has experience with the education of children, he surely has suggestions for our curriculum,” Sophia insisted. “You should talk with him as soon as possible.”
“I suppose you and I could visit the vicarage after our meeting with the Organizing Committee tomorrow,” Georgie mused, trying to pretend her spirits hadn’t lifted at the thought of seeing Hugh again so soon. “Though he did say he was quite busy.”
Sophia waved a hand. “I have plans for tomorrow too. I’m sure it would be fine if you went alone.”
Her smile remained, but something sparkled in her green eyes. Georgie cocked her head. “Are you playing matchmaker, Sophia?”
Her friend pressed a hand to the chest of her rose-colored silk gown. “Me? Certainly not. Though he is a fine figure of a fellow, don’t you think?”
Georgie’s cheeks heated. “He is the vicar of our village church. I’m sure it’s not my place to notice whether he has hair like spun gold and eyes like sapphires.”
Sophia’s mouth quirked. “My mistake. So, you’ll do it? You’ll ask about our curriculum?”
“Of course,” Georgie said, gaze going to where Oliver bent as if whispering in Anastasia’s ear. “Anything for the children.”
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