Chapter 9

Late morning light filtered through the large, high windows in the parlour, bathing the room in bright, warm sunlight. Rebecca sat in a sunny area with Tommy, letting their skin soak up the sun’s rays while they relaxed on a blanket. He fussed a little from his position on the floor, so she lifted and sat him on her lap, bouncing him gently.

“Oh my, My Lord, what pretty ... cheeks you have!” Rebecca exclaimed, nuzzling them with her nose as though she was about to eat them.

Tommy gave a loud squeal before giggling, his face scrunched up in mirth. Rebecca chuckled, moving her face away to give him time to recover. He just had his second morning feed, was burped, and eventually changed when he spat out sour, curdled milk.

The little boy had overeaten, refusing to let go of the wet nurse’s breast until the milk was flowing out of his mouth. He seemed to be making up for the times he had refused to feed, which would help with his much-needed weight gain. However, going too fast would also be detrimental to his health, so she’d have to find a way to avoid it happening again.

“His change truly is remarkable,” Lady Hannah commented, smiling as she watched her great-nephew from the settee. “I thought I’d never see him so comfortable and happy. You only arrived yesterday, but he’s like a different baby today. I know you mentioned something about your skills, but truly, what on earth did you do?”

“Experience and loving what I do,” Rebecca replied simply, amused that they seemed to think it was something magical. Perhaps, in a way, it was. “Would you like to hold him for a little bit, My Lady? You have yet to do so.”

Apprehension filled the woman’s face. “Hold him?” she said. “I do not think I could. I tried once, and he screamed like I was hurting him.” She shook her head as though trying to clear it of the memory. “I can still remember it clearly. It was a rather harrowing experience.”

“If His Grace can put his fears aside, I am certain you can, too,” Rebecca said, rising to her feet with the baby. It was an easy feat for her, having carried much larger children before. “His lordship needs his family,” she added.

Lady Hannah backed into the settee, fear replacing apprehension. She swallowed hard, genuinely frightened by the thought of carrying her great-nephew. The day she spoke of moments earlier must have made a terrible impression on her.

“Perhaps another day,” Rebecca decided aloud. “Do you mind if I sit here, My Lady?” she asked, indicating the empty seat on the settee. “I’d like to still be in the sunlight, but I’d also like some tea. The cup is also safer on the table than on the floor. Babies have a way of getting their hands on everything,” she explained. “You just need to look away for a second for disaster to strike.”

It was just an excuse. Although half of the settee sat in the sun while the other seats were in the shade, she merely wanted Lady Hannah to be closer to her great-nephew. The older woman generally wasn’t nervous around the baby but carrying him seemed a stiff boundary. Rebecca planned to change that by getting Lady Hannah to touch Tommy, whether holding his hand, tickling his feet, or kissing his brow.

“Of course, dear,” said Lady Hannah, her body visibly relaxing now that Rebecca was no longer insisting she carry Tommy. “Would you like me to pour you some tea? You have your hands full.”

“That would be lovely, My Lady,” Rebecca replied. “Thank you. Alice would usually do it, but I have sent her to purchase a few things I need.”

“I noticed that Miss Ayres always seems aware of what you need before you say it,” Lady Hannah remarked, pouring tea into a cup. “It’s so difficult to find help like that.”

“Alice is more a good friend—a sister,” Rebecca corrected. “We have been together for many years, and I couldn’t imagine doing what I would do without her. She anticipates what I need when I need it, and how I need it.” She smiled. “I would have her leave me to begin a life path all her own, but she refuses.”

“She is dedicated to you,” said Lady Hannah.

“I prefer her to be dedicated to herself and her happiness,” Rebecca replied.

“Perhaps she is happiest with you,” Lady Hannah suggested.

Rebecca inwardly sighed. She already knew Alice was happy with her, but she was worried about the reasons. She had long ago sensed Alice’s love for her wasn’t quite as familial or friend-oriented as she had hoped. While she had never been averse to love out of what was socially acceptable, she couldn’t encourage something that would harm her friend.

Besides the fact that Rebecca didn’t feel that way about her friend, she also firmly preferred the opposite sex. Men with lovely dark hair, striking blue eyes, and a stunning physique looked wonderful in any attire. Broad shoulders and a small waist had also risen to preferable physical traits in a man. It hadn’t particularly bothered her before, but that wonderful ratio seemed so—

Rebecca’s eyes suddenly widened, aghast at her thoughts. Her traitorous mind had conjured up an image of the duke! She shook her head, not knowing what to make of it.

“Are you all right, dear?” Lady Hannah asked, giving Rebecca her cup of tea. “You look like someone just doused you in cold water.”

Rebecca certainly felt like it. She had no business thinking about the duke other than in the allowed capacity. Salivating over his physical form was undeniably out of the question. She had better control than this.

“I just recalled something I forgot to tell Alice,” she lied, already feeling guilty. She couldn’t very well tell the woman that she was hopelessly attracted to her nephew. “I’ll speak to her when she returns. Hopefully, Lady Oakham will be awake by then. I’d like her to have some broth. Two meals a day is not enough, so some broth in between will be light yet nutritious. A cup of it should do. For now”

Lady Hannah nodded, absentmindedly tickling Tommy’s feet. Rebecca inwardly grinned, glad her plan was working. The woman loved her family, and while she was still nervous around the baby, she would eventually come around and realize she had nothing to fear.

People always feared what they couldn’t understand, so she intended to help them learn more about the baby and ultimately build a stronger family unit. Rebecca wanted to ensure that once she was gone, the family would continue to thrive.

“I’m glad you’re here, Miss Barnes,” said Lady Hannah, smiling at her nephew. She raised her head to peer into Rebecca’s eyes. “They have suffered for too long and needed someone to save them. I know you’ll be good for this family. “

Rebecca’s eyes misted slightly at the compliment. “I hope so, My Lady,” she replied. “It is my greatest joy to help others, especially this sweet baby,” she added, nuzzling his neck and earning herself a sweet giggle.

“Tommy has taken to you like a duck to water,” Lady Hannah mused. “How many mothers and babies have you helped until now? You’re only twenty-seven, but I feel you have the experience of someone older than you.”

Rebecca did a quick mental count, pausing when a handsome man with pale hair and dark green eyes sauntered into the room as though he had every right to be there. His simple black suit and white cravat were impeccably made to fit his slender form, indicating he was a man of means. Still, that didn’t give him the right to do as he pleased in someone’s home.

“Lady Hannah,” he said, bowing before taking a seat. “And who might this lovely creature be?”

Rebecca raised her eyebrows, looking at Lady Hannah for an explanation. She half-expected the woman to scold the overly confident man and order him to leave the house for his impudence. Instead, she slightly bowed her head in acknowledgement.

“Mr Bartlett, how are you?” she said, her back a tad stiff. Gone was the relaxed woman of moments before. Perhaps Lady Hannah didn’t like the man either, but she wasn’t chasing him out. He had to be someone with power for her to put up with him.

“Well, thank you,” Mr Bartlett replied. He turned to Rebecca, eyeing her up and down and seeming to ignore the child in her arms. “You still have not told me who this lovely creature is, My Lady. I have not had the pleasure of meeting her before.”

Rebecca felt a distinct dislike for this man. She had always been sensitive to things people couldn’t see, especially the spirit of a man. Usually, she allowed herself a second impression before deciding on someone, but her initial feeling rarely turned out to be wrong. Mr Bartlett had a touch of darkness in his soul, likely caused by excess, privilege, and misdeeds.

“This is Miss Barnes,” Lady Hannah said. “An excellent nursemaid that my niece recently hired. Miss Barnes,” she said, looking at Rebecca. “This is Mr Bartlett, our parish vicar.”

Rebecca’s eyes widened. Vicar was the last thing she expected Lady Hannah to say. It was rather disturbing, considering the darkness she had sensed about him.

“Miss Barnes,” said Mr Bartlett as though testing her name on his tongue. “Your last name suits you well. May I know your first name?”

“Rebecca, Mr Bartlett,” she replied, bowing her head respectfully.

“Ah, Rebecca,” he said, stretching her name into four syllables. “I have not heard that name for a while. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rebecca Barnes.”

Rebecca bowed again, gladly looking away from him to shift Tommy on her lap. He didn’t like being in one position for too long. A little walk in the garden would be good for him, but it was rather cold outside. Her next option would be the conservatory because it had plenty of windows to allow the light to filter through without the cold. The colourful flowers and plants might also occupy him for at least half an hour.

“Are Lady Oakham and His Grace about?” Mr Bartlett asked. “I have come to see them, but more so Lady Oakham.” His face took on an expression of compassion, but the warmth never reached his green eyes. “It has been so challenging for her since the earl’s untimely death. I always hope that my frequent visits provide some spiritual enlightenment to lighten her terrible burden.”

Rebecca strangely had a hard time believing this man could provide spiritual enlightenment. Her arms slightly tightened around Tommy, feeling the need to cradle the baby closer to her chest when the vicar’s eyes fell on him.

Tommy didn’t mind the movement, grabbing the neckline of her dress and nuzzling his face against her chest. That led the man to stare at the generous area, making her uncomfortable. Fortunately, he looked away to inspect his nails, which were rather long for a man in his position.

“It is certainly not feeding time yet, young lord,” she said, chuckling quietly when Tommy tugged her dress. “You already had a big feed not too long ago. I wouldn’t want to make a glutton out of you.”

Tommy spoke his baby language, shaking her neckline as though arguing with her.

“Arguing already, hmm?” she said, tapping his nose lightly.

It made him blink hard and frown at her before he balled his hands into fists and stiffened his legs.

“Goodness!” she softly exclaimed. “What a fighter you are, My Lord.”

She trailed a hand on his cheek, which immediately calmed him down. His legs relaxed, and his hands opened, releasing her neckline. Rebecca turned him on his preferred position—his belly—and stilled, suddenly acutely aware of eyes on her. She first looked at Lady Hannah, finding the woman smiling.

Rebecca begrudgingly glanced at the vicar, inwardly shuddering at his piercing gaze. She didn’t like the way he was looking at her. He appeared thoughtful, but the intrigue in his eyes caused discomfort. Rebecca didn’t know him and could be wrong about her feelings, but she doubted it. That sensation of insects crawling all over her skin only began the moment he stepped into the room. His handsomeness did nothing to hide his off-putting demeanour.

She looked away, fighting the need to frown. The Andrews family wouldn’t allow a questionable man around them, but she couldn’t shake off her discomfort.

“Lady Oakham and His Grace, Lady Hannah?” he questioned.

Rebecca realized he hadn’t received his answer yet. They must have been staring at her and Tommy all this time.

“I’m afraid my niece is asleep, Mr Bartlett,” Lady Hannah said apologetically. “My nephew is in his study and has strictly asked that no one bothers him until he is done. Perhaps you can come another day,” she suggested.

Rebecca raised her head, hoping the man would agree and leave. She really was uncomfortable around him. To her dismay, she found him looking at her with more interest than she cared to acknowledge.

“I am more than happy to stay and have you and Miss Barnes keep me company,” he replied, gazing at Lady Hannah. “I took the liberty of asking the butler to have the housekeeper bring me some tea while on my way to the parlour.”

Rebecca widened her eyes slightly. The man evidently didn’t know his place. He may be a man of God, but that certainly didn’t mean he could do as he pleased. She observed Lady Hannah, wondering how she would respond to his blatant disrespect.

“If you so wish, Mr Bartlett,” Lady Hannah replied, surprising Rebecca.

She struggled not to react, but goodness, this was a strange situation. As far as Lady Hannah was concerned, it seemed the vicar was untouchable. Mr Bartlett had to be someone powerful—nothing else would explain this odd freedom.

Rebecca decided she didn’t want to be around the man any longer. However, her intention to leave was spoiled when he spoke to her.

“Miss Barnes, I must admit I was aware of your imminent arrival,” he said, forcing her to look at him once again.

That surprised Rebecca. The duke had not known about her arrival until the very last moment. It seemed odd that the vicar would have this information.

“Indeed?” Lady Hannah said, surprise also registering on her face.

“Yes, indeed,” Mr Bartlett replied, leaning back in his chair and crossing his ankles. “I understand it was a private matter. I only happened to hear about it when one of the people I counsel was the very woman who put Lady Oakham in contact with Miss Barnes. To be honest,” he continued, “I expected an older nursemaid, not the lovely woman I see before me.”

Rebecca recoiled, not at all liking his smile. It appeared friendly at first, but upon closer look, a person could see a touch of a lecherous spirit lurking at the corners of his mouth. She couldn’t be the only one who could see the truth behind his well-practiced, benevolent manner.

“Miss Barnes is a special woman,” said Lady Hannah, smiling. “She has proven that very quickly.”

“Oh, I can sense that,” said Mr Bartlett, his tone slightly provocative. “Can you tell me what makes you so widely sought after, Miss Barnes?”

Rebecca didn’t want to talk to him, but politeness dictated otherwise. “My wish to serve people for their well-being,” she replied. “I simply wish people to be healthy and happy.”

“I understand healthy, but why is their happiness also important to you?” he asked.

“Happy people improve the world,” Rebecca replied.

Her responses were short and to the point. She hoped he would simply accept her answers and stop talking to her, but she hoped in vain.

“Food and money improve the world, Miss Barnes,” he said. “Leaders who want the best for their people improve the world.”

“I respectfully disagree, sir,” she told him, sitting Tommy up.

Mr Bartlett raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Oh? Would you mind telling me why?”

“Happy people see no reason to compete, conquer, or harm others,” Rebecca explained. “Without the need to do these things, we would have no hunger, greed, or a select few controlling the majority. We would simply exist harmoniously.”

Mr Bartlett didn’t immediately reply. Instead, he cocked his head and regarded her as though she were some exotic creature in a cage. It was disconcerting.

“What an interesting belief, Miss Barnes,” he eventually said. “Tell me, are you a believing woman?”

He spoke about the Christian faith. Well, if being a Believer entailed having a man like him shepherd a flock, then she certainly was not one of them. However, she agreed with the true message of the Word because it aligned with her own beliefs.

“Serving a Lord willing to lay His life down for others is worth following,” she said.

Mr Bartlett smiled. “Your answer pleases me, Miss Barnes. Greatly.”

She offered him a brief smile, soon focusing her attention on the baby. She lifted him until his feet rested on her lap, slightly bouncing him. He enjoyed that, flailing his arms with gleeful laughter.

“You are a natural with babies,” Mr Bartlett remarked. “Perhaps you have some of your own?”

“No, I do not,” she said. “However, I have much experience with them.”

“No children?” he said, an eyebrow raised. “Then perhaps you have someone special waiting for you at home.”

“My focus is on my work,” Rebecca told him, disliking his probing questions. Tommy began fussing, no longer appeased by the bouncing. He had been sitting in one place for too long.

“Would you please excuse me?” she asked, rising and settling Tommy against her shoulder. “His lordship needs to settle for his afternoon nap.”

“I understand,” he said, his eyes trailing over her form. “I would love to see you at church on Sunday, Miss Barnes. I’ll save you a space in the front as my special guest.”

Rebecca baulked at the very thought. She did not want to see him preach or wish to be his special guest. While she couldn’t be certain that he was not all he appeared to be, she just couldn’t ignore her discomfort around him. It warned her to remain vigilant and careful.

“I’m afraid I am too busy to attend church, Mr Bartlett,” she said. “I have much to do here. Please, excuse me,” she added firmly, unwilling to give him another chance to talk to her.

Relief filled her as she left the room. Seeing the duke on her way to the nursery. Rebecca couldn’t help drinking him in, admiring the width of his shoulders, the narrowness of his waist, and—oh! She blinked hard, looking away from him. This sense of attraction was getting out of control. Rebecca couldn’t understand what it was about the man that drew her like a moth to a flame.

She was fighting the attraction with every fibre of her being because it was inappropriate, but she couldn’t stop her body from reacting to him whenever she saw him. Rebecca was a level-headed woman, so this went against what she felt comfortable with. However, at least now she understood why many did foolish things once they grew obsessed with someone.

“Good day, Your Grace,” she said once he was close enough.

“Good day, Miss Barnes,” he replied, briefly touching his nephew’s brow. Perhaps she still looked unsettled from her encounter with the vicar because he frowned. “Is something wrong? You appear disturbed.”

“No, nothing is wrong,” she lied. “I should inform you that the vicar is downstairs and wished to see you. Lady Hannah let him know you were busy.”

The duke’s lips thinned. “I see. Is my sister with him? He tends to bring her spiritual enlightenment rather regularly.”

He didn’t seem too happy about the vicar. Perhaps the duke didn’t like Mr Bartlett but put up with him because he was the parish vicar.

“No, Your Grace,” she said. “Lady Oakham is asleep. Lady Hannah is with him. I imagine he is having tea now.”

The duke nodded, his eyes observing her carefully. She squirmed a little under his gaze, wondering what he was looking for.

“Are you certain all is well?” he asked.

“Yes, Your Grace,” she insisted. “I should put his lordship down for his early afternoon nap. Please, excuse me.”

She walked away, trying to ignore the feminine urge to sway her hips. She could sense he was still watching her, and although the urge was frighteningly tempting, she kept her back straight with minimal hip movement. She was a nursemaid who had dedicated her life to serving others. She was not a wanton woman who easily gave in to fleshy desires.

“I got to the ripe age of twenty-seven without a single need to give in to these desires,” she said as she entered the nursery. “I am not going to begin now.”

She was better than that. She fought to clear her mind of the duke while she changed Tommy’s clothes, wiping him down to ensure he was clean and comfortable. Lady Oakham entered the room a little later, her face lighting up when she saw her son.

“How is he today, Miss Barnes?” she asked, giving him her finger. He grasped it tightly and brought it to his mouth. “Is he hungry?”

“He is doing well today, and he certainly is not hungry,” Rebecca told her, chuckling. “He had a big feed not too long ago. He needs a nap now, or he’ll raise hell later. He’ll feed again when he awakens. Would you like to put him to sleep? The rocking chair did wonders yesterday.”

“I would love that,” the countess replied eagerly. She paused. “He will not fuss? He seems a tad more lively than yesterday.”

“He is tired but fighting it,” Rebecca told her. “See how he rubs his eyes? It’s a clear indication of restlessness brought about by fatigue. Why don’t you sing to him?”

“Sing?” Lady Oakham repeated. “I’m afraid I do not have a singing voice.”

“Babies are not as judgemental as you think,” Rebecca said. “Sit in the rocking chair. I’ll bring him to you.”

The countess nodded, settling in the chair and holding out her arms. “Aunt Hannah said you met the vicar,” she commented, taking Tommy from her.

“Yes, I did,” said Rebecca.

“He comes by at least four times a month, although I have told him it’s unnecessary,” the countess said, gently rocking her son back and forth. Surprisingly, he didn’t fuss much. “Well, we’ll be seeing them again later this week. He and Lady Ruth will be having dinner with us.”

Rebecca inwardly groaned. She didn’t want to see the vicar again. Hopefully, the Andrews family would not expect her to attend dinner. It would likely surprise the guests to find the hired help eating with them, so perhaps Rebecca had nothing to worry about.

“Perhaps my brother will resume his courtship with Lady Ruth,” the countess continued, staring down at her son. “He stopped it when my husband died.”

Lady Oakham didn’t seem aware she was giving sensitive information to someone not part of the family. Rebecca didn’t comment, not wanting to implicate herself in their matters. However, she couldn’t help the very tiny bit of jealousy niggling at the back of her mind. Lady Ruth had to be a remarkable woman to have caught the duke’s attention.

“To be perfectly honest with you, I do not think my brother wants to have this dinner,” Lady Oakham continued. “But he feels obligated to have it.” She grew silent, her eyes widening as she raised her eyes to Rebecca. “Oh, uh, what I mean is that he is always so busy and rarely has any guests.”

Rebecca nodded, keeping her hands busy with folding a blanket. The countess was trying to rectify what she had implied—that much was obvious. However, Rebecca wanted to understand why she needed to explain herself. She had seen nothing wrong with the duke wishing to keep to himself because people mourned differently.

Perhaps all was not rosy between Lady Ruth and the duke, which satisfied the tiny green monster within her. Rebecca inwardly shook her head and turned away from the countess, appalled at herself for feeling good regarding the situation. Jealousy was a foreign emotion for her, but one day of knowing the duke had acquainted her with the feeling. That didn’t bode well for her. Not at all.