Chapter Four #2
“I am leaving Kidsgrove for good in two days’ time,” he revealed. “A Mr. Rochester has purchased my shop from me. He is making it into his own.”
“This is news to me. You will be sorely missed. Where might you be going?”
The shopkeeper explained he had a brother who farmed and needed help. “You know I’ve been lonely since Mrs. Shaft passed on. We had a very happy marriage.”
That was true. Justina recalled how the couple teased one another affectionately. Mrs. Shaft had owned the local bakery and teashop, and her sister, Mrs. Little, had taken over the running of it with Mrs. Shaft’s death.
“I am happy, then, that I came into Kidsgrove today, else I would have missed telling you goodbye,” she said. “Tell me about this new owner. Where is he from? I believe you said his name was Rochester.”
“Mr. Rochester recently left the army.” The shopkeeper frowned. “He doesn’t seem to want to talk about his time of service.”
“Can you blame him?” she asked. “Seeing all those people slaughtered on battlefields. Watching your fellow soldiers die before your eyes. Or worse, linger and suffer unimaginably.”
“Well, Mr. Rochester is a very clever man. He is a good friend of Lord Marbury, as well.”
“Where have I heard that name?”
“He is the heir apparent to the Duke of Norville. Norwood is a couple of miles to the west of Kidsgrove. Lord Marbury, too, has been gone for years. First, at university and then also serving in His Majesty’s army.”
“Ah, yes, I recall the name now. I believe Mama and Papa entertained the duke and duchess at one point.”
“Yes, the poor duchess was lost many years ago, at least a dozen or more. I have not seen the duke in years, but Lord Marbury has come to the shop with Mr. Rochester every day to help him with the construction.”
“What are they building?” she asked, but before she received an answer, she heard a friendly, “Good morning.”
Glancing to the street, she saw a young woman dressed in a hunter green gown and matching spencer.
She had hair the same shade of golden blond as Justina’s.
As she came closer, Justina saw the stranger also had dark blue eyes, a contrast to her own light blue.
There, the resemblance ended. This girl, who looked a couple of years younger, was very petite and possessed a curvaceous figure.
“Good morning,” she and Mr. Shaft responded in unison.
“This is Lady Elinor Davenport,” Mr. Shaft said. “She is the daughter of the Duke of Norville, whom I mentioned earlier. Lady Elinor is the sister of Lord Marbury. My lady, this is Lady Justina Fulton of Traywick Manor.”
The young woman offered Justina her hand. She took it, pressing it, taking in Lady Elinor’s friendly smile.
“I have heard of Traywick Manor,” Lady Elinor said. “We are west of Kidsgrove, while you are south of the village, I believe.”
“Yes, that is correct. Mr. Shaft was telling me that Lord Marbury is helping Mr. Rochester make some adjustments to his shop. I only learned that Mr. Shaft is leaving Kidsgrove. Oh, does Mr. Rochester know where to order my paints and canvases?”
“I am leaving him detailed notes, my lady,” Mr. Shaft assured her. “You have five blank canvases awaiting you, as well as new oil paints.”
She smiled at the newcomer. “Would you like to come in and assist me with my shopping, Lady Elinor?”
“I would like that ever so much. If we can hear one another over the banging, that is.”
They entered the shop, and the pounding was fierce. Then it stopped suddenly, causing her to breathe a sigh of relief. She led Lady Elinor about the space, and they pointed out various items they liked as Mr. Shaft gathered Justina’s art supplies.
“I can deliver these to you later this afternoon, my lady,” he said.
“Thank you, Mr. Shaft.” Then she had an idea. “Why don’t you come to tea today, Lady Elinor?” Justina asked. “I would love for you to meet my brother, Lord Traywick.”
The young woman smiled brightly. “I would like that. I have been away at school for several years, and I am only recently back. Your invitation would be the first I have received. If you would like, I can have Papa’s carriage stop in the village and pick up your art supplies, then we can continue on to Traywick Manor. That would save Mr. Shaft a trip.”
Hearing Lady Elinor say we, Justina said, “Oh, do you think His Grace might also like to come to tea?”
“I had not thought to ask him, but I can if you would like me to do so. Papa is not very social, especially not since we lost Mama many years ago.”
“I just lost my own mother this past spring. I am still trying to get used to the idea of a world without Mama in it. But please, bring His Grace. We would be happy to host both of you.”
Footsteps sounded at the top of the staircase, rapidly coming down. Suddenly, two tall men appeared. One had hair the same shade of Lady Elinor’s and eyes the same hue as hers, and she knew this must be Lord Marbury, her brother.
The other man with him had to be Mr. Rochester.
He was most impressive, a couple of inches over six feet, with hair black as night and piercing green eyes.
His broad shoulders were easy to see since he wore no coat, waistcoat, or cravat, and his muscular forearms were revealed because his sleeves were rolled to his elbows.
The most interesting thing about him was the slender, white streak in his hair along the right side of his head, just above the ear.
It stood out even more so because of how dark his hair was.
Their gazes met, and she licked her lips self-consciously. Now that both men were at the base of the stairs, they seemed to take up so much space.
Especially Mr. Rochester.
“Elinor, this is a surprise,” the blond man said, as they both came straight toward them.
“Henry, this is Lady Justina Fulton of Traywick Manor. My brother, Lord Marbury. And his good friend, Mr. Rochester.”
“Lady Justina,” Lord Marbury said, taking her hand and bowing over it. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Mr. Rochester also took her hand, but this time, her heart began to beat rapidly at his touch. She swallowed, their gazes still holding.
“My lady,” he said, bowing and brushing his lips across her knuckles, sending a jolt of fire along her spine. Then he dropped her hand, cursing. “Forgive me. For my language—and for taking your hand when mine is filthy. We have been working all morning. I hope I did not spoil your gloves.”
Justina would not have cared if he had ruined them. “I hear you are to buy out Mr. Shaft,” she said, her heart still racing. “Exactly what are you doing to the upstairs? Making adjustments to your living arrangements?”
He smiled at her, a smile that felt like warm sunshine seeping into her.
“No, I shall be living somewhere else. I thought it was time to bring a bookshop to Kidsgrove. Upstairs, we are building bookshelves to hold the many books which will be for purchase. I also intend for there to be a lending library, and it will take up the other half of the space.”
“Books? A library?” she asked excitedly. “You have quickly found your way into my heart, Mr. Rochester.” Then she felt her cheeks warm, thinking her words would be misconstrued.
He nodded approvingly, however. “That is exactly what I wish to hear, my lady. I hope the residents of Kidsgrove and beyond will shop at the book portion of my store for all occasions.”
“That sounds very exciting,” she said. “I had just asked Lady Elinor to tea this afternoon, and she was going to bring her father. Perhaps the two of you might also join us, and my brother and I could hear more of this venture.”
“I am always agreeable to having tea with pretty neighbors,” Lord Marbury said flirtatiously. “Mr. Rochester and I will stop our work early enough so that we have time to return to Norwood and make ourselves more presentable.”
“Please come at four o’clock,” Justina said. “I look forward to getting to know all of you.” She turned to Lady Elinor. “Thank you again for bringing my art supplies to me. I will see you soon.”
Justina said her goodbyes, embracing Mr. Shaft since she would not be seeing him again.
She wished him well and left Kidsgrove, walking briskly back to Traywick Manor.
There, she let Cook know they would be hosting a duke at tea, and Cook quickly began sharing what tea would consist of.
Once they agreed upon the menu, she went and found Tray in his study.
“We are to have guests for tea. The Duke of Norville. His son, Lord Marbury, and daughter, Lady Elinor. And a Mr. Rochester, who is taking over Mr. Shaft’s shop.”
“My, you are full of news. Never fear, I shall be on time to tea.”
Justina hurried to her bedchamber, going through her gowns, deciding on which one to wear to tea this afternoon. She chose a gown of dark blue, thinking it would bring out the blue of her eyes. She stopped a moment, feeling almost giddy. Meeting Mr. Rochester had changed something inside her.
And she was determined to find out exactly what had changed—and why.