Chapter 14 #2
Sarah approached, keeping her composure even as she felt the familiar unease of being near him. He gave her a polite nod.
“Mrs. Shaw.”
“Your Grace.”
He fell into step beside her as the children moved ahead, stopping occasionally to inspect stones or puddles left by the rain. The path curved gently toward a small rise in the ground where the soil had softened. Clara stepped toward it, her foot slipping slightly in the mud.
Sarah and the duke reached for her at the same moment. Their hands brushed briefly, light and unintentional, but clear enough to notice. Both withdrew at once, each steadying Clara without acknowledging the contact.
“Careful,” Sarah said softly.
Clara nodded, adjusting her footing.
His Grace kept his focus on the children. “Henry seems much happier now that Clara has arrived.”
Sarah smiled. “Clara enjoys his company. He is kind to her.”
“He speaks of her often,” he said. “More than he has spoken of anyone in some time.”
Sarah felt a faint warmth at the remark, though she kept her expression composed. “She has not had many children her age to speak with. This is good for her.”
They continued walking, the children moving ahead in small bursts of energy. The silence between Sarah and His Grace felt comfortable, and neither of them tried to force conversation. It allowed them to walk side by side without any sense of formality, and Sarah found the ease of it reassuring.
After a few moments, Sarah spoke. “Henry told me that he likes lessons because they feel different from before. May I ask what his former governesses were like?”
His Grace exhaled slowly. “There were several, and none stayed for long. Henry is bright, but you see he can be restless. Some found it difficult.”
Sarah smiled faintly. “He is restless, but he listens. He only needs patience.”
The duke smiled at that. “My governesses said the same thing. Every one of them.”
Mrs. Shaw glanced toward him. “Every one?”
“Yes,” he said, still smiling at the memory.
“There were several. My first taught letters and numbers. She was gentle. The next insisted on French and posture, and she corrected everything I did. Another stayed only a short time because she said that the household was too large to manage comfortably.”
He paused for a moment, before continuing.
“I remember all of them in different ways.”
“It sounds as if you had an interesting beginning,” Sarah said.
“I did,” he agreed. He looked at her, his tone softening. “What about you, Mrs. Shaw? What was your education like?”
She hesitated for a moment before answering. “My father believed I should be taught properly. I had a governess until I was twelve, and then after that I worked with different masters, and my mother also insisted on drawing and needlework.”
“That is a very thorough education,” His Grace said approvingly.
Sarah felt herself blush a little. “My father said we should be able to manage a household if needed and speak well enough to avoid embarrassment."
The duke nodded. “It seems he succeeded."
Sarah was surprised to feel her heart flutter.
Up ahead, Clara found a small cluster of stones near the edge of the path and called Henry over. The two crouched down, arranging them in a line. Sarah paused and watched them, grateful for their joy at the simplest things.
His Grace observed the children for a moment longer before speaking. “I am glad you brought them outside.”
“It helps Henry focus,” she replied.
His eyes shifted toward her, thoughtfully. “You understand him.”
Sarah kept her eyes on the children. “I try.”
They walked a little farther before His Grace slowed his steps. He looked toward the path that led to the stables.
“I must see to a matter before the noon hour,” he said. “You will be well here.”
Sarah lifted her head. “Of course, Your Grace.”
He gave a brief parting nod and turned toward the stables, leaving them to continue their walk.
Clara and Henry moved ahead in short bursts of excitement, pointing out small details in the garden and calling to each other with quiet enthusiasm.
The air held the clean scent of soil and flowers.
Their laughter rose and fell as they explored, and for the first time in a long while Sarah felt a small, cautious sense of calm.
Clara suddenly stopped; her eyes fixed on the distant lane. She pointed with quick urgency. “Look, Mama. That carriage over there. It looks like Lady Conway’s carriage.” She took a few eager steps forward, her excitement rising fast. “Mama, look. I think Lady Conway has come.”
Sarah turned sharply toward where her daughter pointed.
A familiar carriage rolled through the gates, its polished wheels catching the sunlight.
Clara ran toward the house with Henry close behind, both eager and breathless.
Sarah followed at a steadier pace, her heart lifting at the sight of the crest on the carriage door.
By the time she reached the entrance hall, Clara was already bouncing on her toes.
The footman opened the carriage door, and Eloise stepped down with the same grace Sarah remembered.
Marriage had made her look almost radiant.
Her cheeks were flushed from travel, and her smile widened the moment she saw Sarah.