Chapter Nine

Despite the fact that Edith had already been introduced to the Duke's mother and taken tea with her, there was still a great sense of nervousness which flooded her as she sat down opposite the lady in the carriage. The Duke of Eaveswood was to sit with his mother and though Edith would have much preferred to go in the carriage with her mother, sister and father, the choice had, yet again, been taken from her. She had been instructed to go to the Duke's carriage, to stay in whatever overnight accommodation the Duke had secured and that she would then be in company with her family again when they all reached the Duke's estate. The Duke's mother, the Duchess of Fairglen, was to be her chaperone.

"Good morning, Your Grace." Edith smiled briefly, taking in the lady's expression and wondering why there was not even the smallest smile on the Duchess' face. "I do hope the journey will not be tedious. I think – "

"I hardly think that my company could be considered tedious, my dear girl." The lady arched an eyebrow and Edith immediately flushed, a little embarrassed.

"Forgive me, that is not what I meant to say. If anything, I meant to express that my own company might be a little lacking, that is all." Her smile slipped a little though the Duchess nodded and then, much to Edith's relief, offered her a small smile.

"You need not think so poorly of yourself, Miss Tidemore. I am certain we shall all do very well indeed."

"We are ready to depart."

Without so much as glancing at her, the Duke of Fairglen swung into the carriage and then the door was closed behind him.

"I think it will be a few hours before we reach the inn," he continued, still not looking at Edith. "Though the driver thinks the roads should be without difficulty. It has not rained heavily for some days."

"That is good." The Duchess glanced to Edith and then back to her son before a frown flickered across her forehead. "As you see, my dear, Miss Tidemore has joined us."

Edith waited until the Duke's eyes finally met hers before she inclined her head just a little. "Good morning, Your Grace." Had that been sympathy in the Duchess' eyes and voice? Had she seen the lack of interest that her son had shown towards Edith? Mayhap, Edith considered, she might have something of a support in the Duchess.

"Good morning, Miss Tidemore." The Duke cleared his throat, settled back in his seat and turned his attention to the window again, reaching up to rap on the roof. He did not say anything more than that and Edith dropped her gaze to her clasped hands, a little embarrassed that the Duke had done nothing more than say four words to her and nothing else. He had not enquired as to whether she was well, had not expressed any sort of delight that she was present with him. Yes, she was well aware that her father had mistaken the Duke's intention and that her presence here was not at all what the Duke had expected nor even wanted, but that did not mean that he had to ignore her, did it?

"Now, Miss Tidemore." The Duchess, perhaps seeing the distress that Edith was doing her best to hide from her expression, leaned a little further forward in her chair and offered Edith a warm smile, much warmer than had been given to her before. "Tell me about your family. I should be very glad to learn all that I can about you."

A small relief burst in Edith's chest and she returned the Duchess' smile with one of her own, glad that the lady appeared to be a good deal warmer towards her than had first been expressed. "Of course, Your Grace." So saying, she began to speak of her family, telling the Duchess about her elder brother – the one out on the Great Adventure – and her younger sister. As she spoke, however, the Duke did not once turn his head to look at her, did not once pull his gaze away from the window and the view outside.

The gentleman she was engaged to, the one she was meant to soon call husband, had no interest in her whatsoever, and that realization broke Edith's heart all over again.

***

The conversation had long since come to an end and the sun had already begun to fall low in the sky by the time the Duke announced that they were close to the inn he had chosen whereby they would spend the night. Feeling stiff and a little sore from the many hours in the carriage, Edith glanced out of the window, seeing the pink and orange spreading out across the sky. Her heart had not lifted from the sadness which had filled it as she had realized just how disinterested the Duke was in her company. The Duchess had done her best to fill in the many pauses and silences and they had shared a good many things, which Edith was grateful for though the Duchess had soon grown weary – just as Edith herself now felt – and was now dozing lightly, her head resting against the side of the carriage. Edith had wondered if the Duke of Fairglen might then seek to converse with her but he had done nothing other than stare steadfastly out of the window. Thus, Edith had been left with nothing and no-one and had spent the last two hours in silence. What a relief it was now to know that she would be able to step out of the carriage and into the inn! Her body was weary, her mind tired as a thousand thoughts ran through it, and the thought of being able to lie down and rest was a very pleasant one indeed.

"Mother? We have arrived." The Duke nudged his mother gently, showing a little more tenderness than Edith had expected, though he still did not so much as glance up at her. The Duchess quickly roused herself and after a few more minutes, Edith found herself standing outside a small, well-appointed inn. It looked even more picturesque given the way the sun was setting behind it and Edith permitted herself a moment or two to gaze at the beautiful scene.

"Miss Tidemore, if you please?"

It was the first thing he had said to her – aside from his greeting – and Edith blinked quickly, looking at him before her face burned hot with embarrassment. The Duke of Fairglen was waiting for her, his arm outstretched towards the door and without waiting even a second longer, Edith hurried towards him, following after the Duchess who had already stepped inside.

"Good evening. I have three rooms here," the Duke told the fellow waiting by the door. "The Duke of Fairglen, if you please."

"Oh, but of course. Thank you, Your Grace." The man bowed low and then gestured for the three of them to follow after him. The Duchess was shown to her quarters first and Edith stayed a little back from the door as the Duchess smiled and nodded and then stepped inside. Her skin prickled from the awareness that she was in sole company with the Duke of Fairglen, daring a glance up at him though she quickly saw that he was not in the least bit interested in her company. He was looking away, tapping one foot on the floor in obvious impatience and his hands clasped tightly in front of him.

Edith's mouth twisted but she chose to say nothing.

"And then Miss Edith Tidemore?" The man turned to Edith, a small smile on his face though his gaze lingered somewhere near her shoulder rather than looking into her eyes. "There is another room here, if you please. I believe that you are all to have dinner in your own quarters this evening?"

Edith looked up quickly at the Duke, her heart clamoring but the Duke of Fairglen nodded.

"Yes, that is so." He inclined his head to her, though his eyes were still pulling away. "Good evening, Miss Tidemore."

Edith tried to say something, tried to protest but instead, all she could do was turn towards the open door of her quarters and step inside. Tears burned in her vision but she pushed them away quickly, forcing herself to thank the man for the quality and the size of the room. No sooner had the door closed than Edith put her hands over her eyes and let the tears fall. She did not dare let herself sob for fear that the Duke might hear her but the pain in her heart was immense. Not only had the Duke decided where they were to rest for the night and what room she was to have, he was also now informing her that she was to be quite alone, that the dinner she had hoped to have in company was now to be eaten entirely alone.

The door opened again and Edith sniffed, quickly dropping her hands. She was about to give a sharp word to whoever it was who had thought to come into the room without warning, only to set eyes on her lady's maid.

"Sarah?" The tears which she had only just wiped away then quickly returned, though Edith blinked them away quickly, not wanting her lady's maid to know the true extent of her upset. Even though she was very fond of Sarah, there was always a worry – a danger – of gossip when it came to the servants. "Oh, how glad I am to see you!"

"Milady." Sarah's smile faded. "Are you upset?"

Edith nodded, choosing her words carefully. "I am very tired and there did not appear to be anyone here able to help me to change and, in truth, I found myself a little overwhelmed."

Sarah's smile returned. "Well, I am here now. Whatever it is you require of me, I will do. I think your things are being brought in at this moment and since you are to have dinner in your room, do you want to change into your night things?"

Edith nodded. It was a little unconventional but she did not care. She was very fatigued indeed. "Yes, I think I shall." A little confused, she tilted her head. "When did you arrive? I did not think that you would be in attendance here. I thought that you were to go straight to the Duke's estate."

"Your father insisted that I attend with you," Sarah told her, coming forward so as to take Edith's coat, gloves and bonnet. "A second carriage followed after yours, milady, so we were not too far behind you. I believe the Duchess' lady's maid has gone to attend her also."

"I see." Edith kept her tears back with an effort, rather touched that her father had been so thoughtful. "That is very good of him. I am glad that you are here."

"Of course." Sarah smiled and encouraged Edith to sit down in the chair by the fire which, while not a roaring blaze, was a gentle enough fire to send warmth through the room. Taking in a deep breath, Edith did as had been suggested, feeling her body relax into the softness of the chair and the heat of the fire. This had been a rather difficult day and the Duke of Fairglen had certainly upset her by his lack of interest in her but for the moment, Edith found herself a little more at ease. She had Sarah, she had a comfortable bed and tomorrow, she would be back in company with her family.

Though only for so long.

The thought was stark, making her shudder lightly. If all went as the Duke expected, if he did believe that she was trustworthy and could do all that was required of a Duchess, then they would marry and then what would she do? She would not have her family for company, would not even have the Duchess' company for long, for surely the lady would retire to the Dower house, as was expected. And then she would be left solely with the Duke of Fairglen for company… and that, Edith was sure, would bring with it nothing but loneliness.