Chapter 3 #2
Alice softened a little but kept the sternness in her voice.
“Be that as it may, my lord, but Clara knows better than to climb on things. I would prefer it if you did not lead her astray in the future.” She smiled at him, wanting the child to know that he was not in trouble.
She did not know how the duke fit into the estate, but it did seem as if he felt comfortable enough to roam around unattended.
If Clara and the boy were going to be friends, then there needed to be some set of boundaries, even for the son of a duke.
Stepping forward, the duke cleared his throat. “I can assure you, Mrs. Voss, that my Arthur does not lead anyone astray. The children were simply playing. As children do.” He came up behind his son and placed his hands on Arthur’s shoulders, lifting his head with pride.
Alice instantly took offense as she lifted her chin defiantly and mimicked his gesture, placing her hands on Clara’s shoulders. “Climbing trees is dangerous, Your Grace. I was simply asking that Clara not be placed in danger again.”
His steady gray eyes flashed as he pursed his lips.
“Not everyone is afraid of heights, Mrs. Voss. The children were perfectly capable of climbing both up and down on their own. I am not such an inadequate father that I should allow my son to place his life at risk.” He narrowed his eyes slightly as if he were challenging her.
“That is your decision, Your Grace, but my decision is not to have my daughter climbing trees… even if there is a ladder.” She returned his glare.
The cheek of the man.
She did not care if he was a duke or even the king of England; she was not about to allow some stranger to tell her what was right for her daughter.
“I see,” the duke said coolly and hunkered down to where he was looking his son directly in the eyes. “Arthur, you are not to climb the tree again while Miss Clara is present. You may do so when you are playing on your own.”
So, they are here quite often.
Alice began to wonder if the duke was not somehow related to Lady Ashby or if he even lived on the estate. It certainly seemed as if he were implying that the children would be seeing each other again.
The boy looked crestfallen as he sighed, allowing his shoulders to sag. “Yes, Papa. We shall only play on the ground.”
Clara looked up at her mother with a wide-eyed expression but said nothing.
Feeling slightly guilty, Alice began to wonder if she had not been too harsh, but she quickly reminded herself that heights meant falling; that was why she was frightened of them in the first place.
The silence that followed was awkward enough that even the children seemed to notice it as the duke came up straight.
Arthur shifted from one foot to the other before glancing between the two adults. “May Clara still come and play?” he asked hopefully.
Before Alice could answer, the duke spoke. “Provided all four feet remain firmly on the ground.” His dry tone caught Alice off guard.
Clara immediately brightened. “We can have tea parties instead!”
“And sword fights,” Arthur added.
“There will be no sword fights,” both adults said at exactly the same moment.
The children exchanged delighted looks despite their parents’ protests.
For the first time since their disagreement, Alice found herself fighting the urge to smile. The children were adorable, even if they had almost given her a heart attack.
The duke appeared equally surprised by their identical response. For a brief moment, their eyes met. Then, quite unexpectedly, the corner of his mouth twitched.
Alice looked away first.
“Come along, Clara. We have delayed long enough.” She began to usher her daughter away from the small group.
Clara sighed dramatically but obediently offered her hand.
Arthur looked as though he had suffered a great personal tragedy. “Must you go already?”
“I'm afraid so,” Alice replied gently. “Lady Ashby will be looking for us soon.”
The duke gave his son’s shoulders a gentle squeeze. “We shall undoubtedly see them again.”
Arthur brightened instantly.
As Alice led Clara away, she became aware of the duke watching them. Turning back, she offered a polite nod. “Thank you again for your assistance, Your Grace.”
His expression softened slightly. “It was nothing, Mrs. Voss. Have a pleasant afternoon.”
“And you.” She curtsied politely before turning and continuing down the path.
Behind her, Arthur's voice suddenly rang out across the garden. “Papa!”
Alice paused and turned to see what was happening.
Arthur pointed upward with complete seriousness. “Your ears have gone red.”
Turning back, Alice noticed the redness of the duke’s ears.
Is he embarrassed?
She felt her own heart skitter when their gazes locked once more.
A stunned silence followed as she hurriedly turned away.
Alice's shoulders shook. She pressed her lips together and stared straight ahead, desperately trying not to laugh.
Beside her, Clara whispered loudly, “Mama, his ears really are red.”
A small, helpless laugh escaped before Alice could stop it. Behind her came Arthur's puzzled voice. “What? What did I say?”