Chapter 11 #2
“Are they kind to my boy?” his mother asked, gaze following him as he went to lean against the wood mantel, which boasted two miniatures that must be Bailey’s mother and father when they were younger.
Morrigan could see the resemblance to Sally in her mother’s smile and Bailey’s to his father in the cheeky grin.
“They don’t need to be kind, Mum,” Bailey chided. “It’s a job, like any other. I do my best, and I’m rewarded accordingly.”
“I’ve never heard any discouraging remarks about Tom,” Morrigan assured his mother and sister. “I’d say he’s one of the most respected staff we have, outside Mr. Kinsle, our butler.”
Was that pink rising in Bailey’s firm cheeks?
His mother slapped her hands on her knees. “There now, didn’t I say you’d be next in line for that position when the day comes?”
“With Mr. Kinsle so young, the day will likely be long in coming, Mum,” Bailey reminded her. “But I’m mostly content with my lot, now.” He glanced at Morrigan, and a tingle went through her.
His mother looked from him to Morrigan and smiled. “Yes, good helpmates make all the difference. My Joe is a good helpmate. Will he be along shortly?”
Cold washed over Morrigan as Bailey pushed off the mantel with a frown.
Sally popped to her feet. “Why am I woolgathering? I’ll have dinner on the table shortly.” She tipped her head to one side as if urging Bailey to come with her.
He seemed to take the hint. “Let me help you.” They both headed for the kitchen.
Mrs. Bailey smiled at Morrigan. “Aren’t you a taking little thing? Friend of Sally’s, did you say?”
Her heart hurt. “I work with Bailey at the manor.”
“Ah, that’s right,” his mother said. “I tend to forget things now and again. But you work, do you? I don’t know what’s happening with girls these days.
Sally talks about taking a job too, as if there’s something grander outside these walls.
” She hitched her shawl closer. “When I was your age, we were thankful for a roof over our heads, food in the larder, and a good man at our side.” Her gaze strayed to the mantel.
“My mother has had to work hard for that roof and food,” Morrigan said, voice soft but conviction firm. “With no good man at her side for much of the time. I never expected to rely on someone else.”
Mrs. Bailey sighed. “It’s not easy, asking for help. Sally helps me. She brings me all sorts of things to brighten my day.”
Morrigan couldn’t help thinking of her own mother. But she wasn’t alone. She had all Morrigan’s sisters around her. Unless it was Bailey’s half-day off, his mother only had Sally.
And Morrigan didn’t envy the girl her burden.
Bailey strode through the kitchen door, wiping his hands on a towel. “Dinner is served, Your Graces.” He winked at Morrigan.
“Tease,” his mother said, climbing to her feet with surprising ease. She trotted toward the kitchen.
Bailey put out a hand to Morrigan as she made to follow. “Sorry to leave you like that. Sally says Mum’s having one of her spells. They don’t last long.” He glanced toward the kitchen. “Though they seem to be getting more frequent.”
“If you’d rather I go…” Morrigan started.
“No,” he assured her. “Sally and I can manage. She didn’t trouble you, did she?”
“She’s a woman of strong opinions,” Morrigan told him. “I’d be happy to dine with you now that I understand.”
He heaved a sigh as if she’d lifted a weight from his shoulders. “Thank you. I knew I was right about you. You’re a good person, Morrigan Turner.”
* * *
Max and Sophia were having a friendly game of billiards Sunday afternoon, with Sir Winfred offering his advice and Anastasia soliciting pets.
Claudia and Ben were smelling of April and May in the sitting room, heads close together and voices murmuring endearments.
So Georgie took Oliver into the fields to look for birds.
She wasn’t entirely surprised to find Hugh and Pip doing the same.
Oliver saw them as they ambled across the largest field between the vicarage and the manor. He handed Georgie the notebook where he recorded his findings and dashed through the spring grass to meet them.
As the boys compared notes on what they’d sighted so far, Hugh continued toward her, greatcoat swaying about his boots. He’d foregone a hat, so the breeze ruffled through his hair in a way she had once dreamed of doing.
She put on a polite smile. “I see you and Pip had the same idea we did.”
He looked back at the two boys, who were in animated conversation. “Pip had the idea. I just allowed him to persuade me away from my other thoughts.”
She could not help remembering his look in the pulpit that morning, so fervent, so concerned.
“That was an impassioned sermon,” she observed. “I hadn’t realized we had a problem with gossip and slander in the village, and surely the thefts have stopped now that Pip has his home with you.”
Hugh’s gaze lingered on the boys as they headed for the nearest copse of trees, where birch and oak reached out limbs as if shaking hands.
“I have heard tales from reliable sources, which could in itself be considered gossip.” He sighed.
“We are human. We fail. It’s how we deal with that failure that marks us as the Lord’s followers. ”
“What an excellent way to look at it!” Georgie exclaimed.
His cheeks darkened. As if to hide the fact, he nodded to the trees. “We should probably keep our charges in sight.” He offered her his arm. She set her hand on it.
And he curled his fingers over her hand.
Warmth shot through her. His smile was soft, encouraging. Did he mean to renew their courtship?
Did she want him to renew it?
Hope and fear mingled. How sweet to be so easy with him again, all barriers removed. Yet she was the one who had the greater barrier. She’d caused a death. Would he forgive her when she could not forgive herself?
Her steps faltered as he led them into the wood, and his grip tightened as if he thought she hesitated because of the uneven ground. She could not tell him what was on her mind, not until she was sure of his. She forced herself to focus on their surroundings instead of the man beside her.
Something small scurried away through the bushes. Quiet wrapped around her. The air was rich with the scent of earth and growing things. The sun speared down in long shafts of light. She must remember her blessings, not her worries.
She drew in a deep breath. “How fortunate we are! Field and forest, garden and glade, all on one estate!”
Hugh smiled down at her. The sunlight anointed his curls with gold, as if he wore a halo. “Trust you to see the beauty.”
“Anyone would see the beauty,” she insisted, though she knew she’d had difficulties only moments ago. She glanced around again, then frowned. “But do you see the boys?”
Hugh looked left and right. “No.”
She drew him up and listened. A bird called from deeper in the wood. The breeze rustled the leaves on the oaks. “I don’t hear them either, but they may be going quietly. You know how Oliver is.”
“I do, and for that reason I’d rather not raise my voice until I must,” Hugh said. “Let’s try that way.” He nodded toward a path on the right, and they set out.
They walked in silence for a time, his head turning as if he too tried to spy two boys scurrying through the undergrowth.
Paths branched here and there, but Hugh seemed to be keeping to the wider ones.
Where could Pip and Oliver have gone? The wood wasn’t all that deep.
She would likely see the stones of the dower house any moment.
Suddenly, Hugh released her and turned in a circle. “Do you know, I have no idea where we are.”
Georgie blinked. “We must still be on the Tyneham estate.”
“You don’t recognize the area?” he pressed.
She looked around again. In every direction, all she saw were more trees, and none that looked particularly familiar. Surely, she’d remember that one with the great burl in the middle. Wild garlic grew near its base. Sophia would have had Georgie out picking had the other duchess known.
“No,” Georgie said, stomach sinking. “I don’t know where I am either.”
Hugh must have made a decision, for he raised his voice at last. “Pip! Oliver! Where are you?”
No voice called in answer.
“Oh!” Georgie’s shoulders slumped. “Lost! On my own estate!”
He took a step closer, as if he meant to protect her.
She waved a hand. “I’m more annoyed than concerned. When I don’t come back, Mr. Kinsle will send someone to find me.”
He frowned. “Unless this is part of the duke’s matchmaking scheme, putting us alone together.”
Frustration spiked. If she did not know her own mind, how could anyone else?
“That is quite enough of that!” Georgie declared. “I will not be coerced! I will not be manipulated! Surely you see that.”
“I would be mad to argue with you in this mood,” Hugh allowed.
Despite herself, a laugh bubbled up. “Oh, Hugh, you’re right. It is ridiculous. What did they expect, that I would swoon into your arms?”
He spread his hands, smile returning. “I wouldn’t object.”
“Of course you wouldn’t. You are a true gentleman.” She gazed up at him. “I have always admired that about you.”
Something kindled in the blue of his eyes, offering hope and more. She could not look away. And then she was leaning closer, and he was bending.
And he kissed her.
The sweet pressure was soft, gentle, full of promise.
It seemed her heart knew what her mind did not—this man, this closeness, the love building between them—that was what she needed.
She forgot about the duke’s plans, their predicament, the boys, and the rest of the world.
For a moment, there was only Hugh and a tenderness that stole her breath.