Chapter 20 #2
“That is kind, but I do not need anything.”
His tone warmed, quiet but unmistakably coaxing. “Mrs. Shaw, if you refuse every small pleasure, I will begin to think you dislike my taste in bakeries.”
Her lips curved, the faintest hint of amusement. “Very well. A small cookie, then.”
“Good,” he said, pleased. “I would not have you leave empty-handed.”
Lady Spencer glanced over at them, her expression unreadable, but she said nothing as the orders were gathered.
Mrs. Shaw guided the children back toward the door with their treats in hand, and William followed, steady and composed.
Lady Spencer walked slightly ahead, her posture rigid, while Lady Arabella remained quiet beside her. William stayed near the children, answering Henry’s questions about the shops and watching Clara’s delight at every new sight.
By the time they returned to the carriage, both children were still talking about the bakery windows.
The ride back was filled with their chatter, Clara describing her cookie in great detail and Henry insisting he had seen a dog wearing a ribbon.
Mrs. Shaw listened patiently, keeping a hand on Clara’s back to steady her as the carriage moved.
Lady Spencer watched with a faint frown, while Lady Arabella remained quiet, her expression reserved but not as severe.
When they reached Roxburghe, everyone stepped inside and Mrs. Shaw guided the children toward the corridor. “It is time for lessons,” she said.
Henry stopped at once. “I cannot sit at a desk now,” he said. “I am too excited.”
Clara nodded in agreement, though she had no lesson to avoid.
Mrs. Shaw gave a small, steady smile. “Then we will go outside. You may work in the gardens.”
Lady Spencer clicked her tongue softly, her disapproval clear, but she said nothing. William noticed the sound but did not acknowledge it.
He escorted Lady Spencer and Lady Arabella to the small morning room.
A maid brought tea, arranging the tray neatly between them.
Lady Spencer sat with her usual rigid posture, commenting on the town and the state of the shops.
Lady Arabella listened politely, offering a few quiet remarks but never forcing the conversation.
William answered when required, but his attention drifted toward the window, where he could see the gardens in the distance. After a short while, he set his cup down.
“If you will excuse me,” he said. “I should see how Henry’s lessons are progressing.”
Lady Spencer gave a curt nod and Lady Arabella offered a small, composed smile. William left the room, stepping into the corridor and then out into the afternoon light.
He quickly crossed the lawn toward the gardens. Mrs. Shaw sat with the children beneath the shade of a broad tree as Clara bent over her slate with careful concentration. She looked up when she noticed him.
“Look,” she said, holding the slate toward him. Her letters were uneven, some leaning to the side, but each one was formed with effort.
William crouched beside her. “You have worked hard,” he said, studying the small marks.
Clara nodded proudly and set the slate back in her lap.
Henry sat across from them, his Latin primer open but untouched. “I was doing my lesson,” he said, “but everyone keeps interrupting me.”
William let out a quiet laugh. Henry’s tone was earnest, not complaining, and the boy’s expression made the remark even more direct.
Mrs. Shaw glanced up from Clara’s slate. “Henry,” she said, “you have found three reasons today to stop working.”
Henry frowned. “I have not.”
“You have,” she said, her voice light. “You avoided Latin before we left, you avoided it in the carriage, and you avoided it when we returned.”
“I was excited,” Henry said, looking at William for support
William laughed again, unable to help it.
This is a wonderful moment, he thought.
A sudden breeze lifted the loose sheets on the table. One slipped free and skidded across the grass. William stepped forward at the same moment Mrs. Shaw did, both reaching down to catch it before it blew farther away.
Their hands met. Mrs. Shaw’s fingers closed over the edge of the page just as William’s did, warm against his skin. Neither drew back.
Mrs. Shaw looked up. Her eyes met his directly, steady and unguarded. Clara’s voice carried faintly somewhere behind them, but William barely registered it.
He leaned in without thinking, drawn by the quiet focus in her expression. Mrs. Shaw did the same, her breath soft, their faces only inches apart.
Clara ran toward them, her steps quick and uneven, and bumped into her mother’s leg. The movement broke the moment. Mrs. Shaw steadied her daughter with a gentle hand, guiding Clara back to her side. She offered William a small smile, composed and warm.
William returned it, though a quiet ache settled in his chest at the interruption.
I should not feel this so sharply.
Clara tugged at her mother’s sleeve, asking a question about her slate. Mrs. Shaw bent to answer her, calm and attentive, jumping back into the purpose of the afternoon without hesitation. William watched her for a brief moment longer.
She belongs here. She understands Henry. She understands this household, even though my aunt refuses to see it.
He straightened at the thought, knowing that Lady Spencer would not stop protesting. She would find another way to interfere.
William rose from where he crouched beside Clara. “I should go back inside,” he said. “Enjoy the rest of the afternoon.”
Clara waved her slate. “Goodbye, Your Grace.”
“Goodbye,” Henry said.
Mrs. Shaw stood as well. “Good afternoon, Your Grace.”
He paused, once again meeting her eyes. She held his gaze with quiet composure, then lowered her eyes gently.
William briefly nodded his head and turned toward the house.
Inside, Lady Spencer and Lady Arabella had moved to the drawing room. A card table had been set out, and Lady Spencer was arranging the deck with deliberate precision. Lady Arabella sat opposite her, perfectly composed.
“You have returned,” Lady Spencer said without looking up.
“For the moment,” William replied.
He joined them long enough to play a few rounds. Lady Spencer kept a sharp eye on the score, commenting occasionally on the rules. Lady Arabella played with quiet patience, offering small, polite observations about the weather and the garden. The afternoon passed in restrained conversation.
When the game ended, William stood. “I should see to a few matters before dinner.”
Lady Spencer gave a short nod and Lady Arabella offered a mild smile. William left the room, the earlier moment in the garden still filling his thoughts.
Later, as the ladies prepared to depart, Lady Spencer adjusted her gloves and spoke with a quiet but severe tone. “You were gone longer than I expected when you checked on Henry’s lessons.”
William looked at her calmly. “The children were working outside.”
“I see,” she said, her voice light. “It must have been a pleasant afternoon.”
Lady Arabella glanced between them but remained silent.
Lady Spencer smoothed the fingers of her glove with deliberate care and looked at Lady Arabella before turning her attention back to William and slightly raising her voice.
“On our next visit, you might show Lady Arabella more of the estate. A full tour would help her understand the household, which would be beneficial since she may soon take on greater responsibilities at Roxburghe.”
Mrs. Shaw, who had just entered with the children to offer polite farewells, stiffened almost imperceptibly. Clara hid behind her mother, sensing the shift, as Henry looked up at William, uncertain.
Mrs. Shaw lowered her gaze. “If you will excuse us,” she said quietly. “The children should return to their lessons.”
She quietly guided Henry and Clara out of the room, keeping her posture straight, though the discomfort in her expression was unmistakable.
William watched her leave, his aunt’s remark ringing in his ears. He turned to Lady Spencer.
“Aunt,” he said, keeping his voice even, “may I speak with you in private for a moment?”
Lady Spencer exchanged a brief look with Lady Arabella.
“Of course,” she said. “We can step into the morning room.”
Lady Arabella offered a polite nod and remained where she was as William followed his aunt inside and closed the door behind them.
“Your remark just now,” he began, “about Lady Arabella taking on responsibilities here. I would like to understand what you meant.”
Lady Spencer folded her hands. “It is simple. Lady Arabella is of suitable standing. She should be more involved in the estate, and it is time she becomes familiar with the household.”
William held her gaze. “Mrs. Shaw manages the children well. You saw that today.”
Lady Spencer narrowed her eyes. “She is a governess. Nothing more. I believe you spent an unnecessary amount of time with her this afternoon.”
“I was checking on Henry’s lessons,” William said.
“Then check,” Lady Spencer replied, her tone sharp but quiet. “Do not linger.”
William’s jaw set. “Mrs. Shaw is doing her work with care. Henry responds to her. I will not disrupt that.”
Lady Spencer lifted her chin. “I am not asking you to disrupt anything. I am asking you to remember your position. Lady Arabella is the appropriate choice for greater involvement at Roxburghe.”
William paused, the silence steady. “I understand your view,” he said. “But I will decide what is appropriate for my household.”
Lady Spencer’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Then I hope you choose wisely.”
William nodded briefly, ending the conversation. Lady Spencer opened the door, her posture stiff as she stepped out to rejoin Lady Arabella.