Chapter 20
William stood near the paddock fence, tightening a loose strap on one of the posts. He checked the leather twice, then tested the gate latch with a firm pull. The work was physically demanding but simple, and he very much preferred it to the interruptions that had filled the previous week.
As he worked he suddenly heard the distant clatter of wheels. William paused, straightened, and looked toward the drive.
Lady Spencer’s carriage was turning onto the lane again.
He let out a slow breath. “She cannot possibly have another matter to discuss,” he muttered.
The carriage rolled closer and he set his jaw, already feeling the beginnings of irritation settle in his chest.
Another visit. Another excuse. And always with Lady Arabella in tow.
He picked up the tool he had set aside, then put it down again, knowing the work would be interrupted the moment the carriage stopped.
Henry’s lessons will be disrupted again. Clara will be unsettled. And I will be forced to listen to whatever new pretext she has invented today.
The carriage came to a halt near the front steps, the door opening before the footman could reach it.
William exhaled through his nose. He wanted to try and appear cordial, but he was annoyed.
This is becoming a daily occurrence. She finds any reason at all to return. Estate questions, trivial concerns, or matters she claims require my attention. And more often than not, there is nothing at all of concern. She just wants to bring Lady Arabella into my presence.
He brushed the dust from his gloves, already preparing himself for another interruption he had not asked for and did not welcome.
William reached the front steps as the carriage came to a stop. Lady Spencer descended with elegant precision, Lady Arabella following with grace. William offered a polite bow, though his expression remained controlled.
“Nephew,” Lady Spencer said. “I trust you have a moment.”
“I do,” he replied, though the tightness in his jaw suggested otherwise. “Shall we go inside?”
***
Lady Spencer took her usual seat in the drawing room, arranging her gloves neatly on her lap. Lady Arabella sat beside her, quiet and composed.
William signaled to a footman. “Please ask Mrs. Shaw to bring Henry to the drawing room.”
The footman bowed and left at once.
Lady Spencer glanced around the room with an assessing eye. “I trust Henry is continuing well and learning in discipline.”
William gave a short nod. “He is.”
A few moments later, Mrs. Shaw entered with Henry at her side. Clara came with them, keeping close and half-hidden behind her mother’s skirts, peeking out only long enough to see who was in the room. Henry bowed politely, and Mrs. Shaw offered a quiet greeting before stepping back.
Lady Spencer smiled at Henry, then turned her attention to William. “The weather is pleasant today,” she said. “A walk through the nearby town would do everyone good.”
William’s posture shifted slightly. “A walk?”
“Yes,” she said. “Fresh air benefits everyone.”
Before he could refuse, she added, “Henry ought to accompany us.”
Her tone made it clear she expected William to agree.
William took a deep breath and replied calmly, “If Henry goes, Mrs. Shaw should join us to supervise the children properly. Clara may come as well.”
Lady Spencer’s smile tightened, but she could not object without appearing unreasonable. “Very well,” she said, settling back in her chair.
William looked around and forced back a smile as he saw Clara’s eyes widen and Henry straighten with a spark of interest he rarely showed during formal visits.
“Are we going to town?” Henry asked, turning toward Mrs. Shaw.
Clara tugged at her mother’s sleeve. “Can I go too?”
Mrs. Shaw gave a small nod. “We must all prepare first.”
The children hurried toward the corridor, their steps quick and uneven with excitement. Mrs. Shaw followed, guiding them with a steady hand. William watched them go, then turned back to his aunt.
“We will leave shortly,” he said.
Lady Spencer lifted her chin. “We will wait in the front hall.” Her tone remained crisp, carrying a clear hint of her continued displeasure at Mrs. Shaw’s inclusion, yet William knew she intended to proceed with her plans regardless.
The house became a flurry of activity. A maid fetched cloaks for the ladies while another brought Henry’s small jacket and Clara’s bonnet. Mrs. Shaw knelt to fasten Clara’s buttons, while Henry stood impatiently beside her, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“Hold still,” Mrs. Shaw murmured, adjusting his collar.
“I am holding still,” Henry insisted, though he clearly was not.
William stepped into the hall just as the children finished dressing. Clara clutched Mrs. Shaw’s hand, her bonnet slightly askew until her mother straightened it. Lady Arabella waited near the door, gloved and composed, while Lady Spencer inspected the arrangement with a critical eye.
The carriage chosen for the outing was one of the larger ones, meant for comfortable travel.
Even so, with so many passengers, the children needed to sit on their parents’ laps.
Lady Spencer murmured something under her breath about the inconvenience.
Her words were not entirely comprehensible, but her tone was unmistakably displeased.
A footman opened the door, and William gestured for the ladies to enter first. Lady Spencer stepped in, followed by Lady Arabella.
Mrs. Shaw lifted Clara into the carriage before guiding Henry in beside her, where they waited patiently for William to settle before the children climbed into their parent’s laps.
The carriage set off down the lane and Clara pressed her face to the window, pointing at every passing tree. “Look, Mama. That one is big.”
Henry leaned forward. “We saw that one yesterday.”
Mrs. Shaw kept a gentle hand on Clara’s back. “Sit properly, Clara. You may look but stay still.”
William watched them quietly. Lady Arabella attempted conversation, asking Henry about his lessons.
“What did you study today?” she asked.
“Latin,” Henry said, polite but distracted. “But when we get to town I want to show Clara the bakery. They have cakes in the window.”
Clara nodded eagerly. “Cakes? I like cakes.”
Mrs. Shaw hid a small smile. “We will walk past it.”
Lady Spencer’s expression tightened, but she said nothing. Lady Arabella sat back at once, her posture composed and did not attempt to speak for the rest of the ride.
The carriage soon reached the town, and everyone stepped out. The street was busy, lined with shops and vendors calling to passersby. Henry and Clara moved ahead eagerly, staying close to Mrs. Shaw as she guided them through the crowd.
Henry pointed toward the bakery. “There, Mrs. Shaw. That one.”
Clara hurried beside him. “I want to see.”
Mrs. Shaw walked quickly, her hand resting lightly on Clara’s shoulder. “We will look; but stay near me.”
William watched the three of them move ahead, the children close to Mrs. Shaw, her posture steady as she guided them through the busy street.
She kept them near her without restricting their enjoyment, adjusting her steps to match theirs, answering Henry’s questions about the shops and Clara’s questions about the colors in the windows.
Lady Arabella attempted polite conversation again, walking next to Henry.
“What else do you enjoy doing, Henry? When you are not in school?”
The boy kept his eyes on the windows. “Looking at animals,” he said. “Sometimes I see deer near the orchard, and once I saw a fox with a white tail tip.”
Before Lady Arabella could respond, Henry pointed suddenly. “There! Look. That field over there, across from the store. That’s the one with the big birds. The ones that chase each other.”
Clara pressed closer to her mother to see, and Henry launched into a rapid explanation about how they always gathered near the hedgerow.
Lady Arabella tried again, her tone gentle. “Do you often watch them? Or do you prefer riding?”
Henry barely turned his head. “I watch them. And sometimes I ride. But look, Clara, that one is running.”
Lady Arabella offered one more attempt, her tone still polite. “Do you have a favorite animal?”
Henry did not answer, already pointing out another detail to Clara and Mrs. Shaw with eager insistence.
Lady Arabella gave a small, understanding smile. “I will let you enjoy your time here in town” she said softly, pulling back and continuing their walk.
William found himself watching Mrs. Shaw more often than he should. The calm way she managed the children, the quiet assurance in her movements, and the ease with which Henry trusted her all drew his attention.
I should not look so often, he thought. But she handles them with such steadiness, and Henry responds to her in ways he never has with anyone else.
He forced his gaze away, but it drifted back each time the children laughed.
The rest of the morning passed quickly. Henry and Clara stayed close to Mrs. Shaw, pointing out every shop and every cart they passed. When they came back by the bakery, the duke slowed his pace.
Henry’s eyes widened. “There it is,” he said. “The one with the tarts.”
Clara nodded eagerly.
William glanced at Mrs. Shaw. “I think a small treat would not go amiss.”
He stepped ahead and opened the door for everyone. Lady Spencer entered first, offering a brief nod to the shopkeeper before placing her order. Lady Arabella followed, encouraged by Lady Spencer’s expectant look, and requested a modest pastry.
Clara went in next, her steps light. Mrs. Shaw guided her forward, then stepped inside herself. Henry entered after them, already scanning the shelves. The duke came last, letting the door close behind him.
The children pressed close to the counter, studying every tray. Clara pointed at a round cookie, and Mrs. Shaw nodded. Henry chose a small tart and tried to keep his hands steady.
The duke turned to Mrs. Shaw. “And what will you have?”
She shook her head lightly. “Nothing for me, Your Grace. The children have chosen well.”
He considered her for a moment. “You should choose something.”