Chapter Ten

"I do think that you ought to try and converse with your betrothed, Fairglen."

Henry did his best to ignore his mother's remark and took another sip of his coffee.

"You cannot simply stare out of the window and pretend that she is not present," the lady insisted, as Henry groaned inwardly. "It is quite unfair to the young lady."

"I did not think that you cared one iota for the lady, Mother," Henry interrupted, a little frustrated that his mother had insisted on coming to have breakfast with him this morning, rather than keeping to her quarters as he had expected. "So why does it trouble you?"

The Duchess clicked her tongue. "You are quite mistaken there, my son. It is not that I do not care for the lady. I am a little disappointed that you have chosen a young lady whose father is a Viscount rather than choosing the daughter of a Marquess or a Duke, but you have said that this is a time to see whether or not she will be able to do all that a Duchess requires and I can understand that way of thinking. Despite my concern, that does not mean that I will ignore her, the way you have been doing! I think it is very important to make sure she feels as welcome as possible, that she is encouraged and hopeful about the future. If she is to be a permanent place in our lives, then what good is pretending that she is not even present with you?"

Henry did not answer, taking another sip of his coffee rather than letting his mother's questions demand a response from him.

"These last few years have truly changed your character," his mother sighed, as Henry frowned. "I confess I was hopeful that it would not linger, this darkness which you hold to yourself, but I see now that it has."

"I am not of a dark disposition, Mother, if that is what you are trying to say." Henry took another sip of his coffee and resisted the urge to roll his eyes as his mother let out a prolonged sigh. "I am a good deal more considerate than before, that is all. I will no longer be taken in by a pair of gentle eyes and a soft smile. That is all."

"You do not need to ignore her, however," his mother said, quietly. "I understand that you are struggling, that you are sorrowful about the past and uncertain about the future but I can assure you – "

"I have no sorrow as regards my brother and his wife," Henry interrupted, sharply. "As regards the future, I believe that I am quite settled and contented. I cannot see any difficulty there, so long as Miss Tidemore proves herself to be just as her father states. These next few weeks should prove that. When it came to Rachel, I did not know what it was I was looking for. Now, at least, I understand what is required of the lady. Her loyalty to me must be unquestionable and she must have not even the smallest hint of impropriety. Oh yes, I shall be watching her very closely indeed." Henry brought himself to a stop, quickly realizing that he had been speaking almost to himself rather than to his listening mother. When her eyebrows lifted, Henry turned his gaze away, choosing not to explain himself any further.

"I think you may find yourself with a very discontented, very disappointed and sorrowful young lady as a wife if you continue on in this way," his mother murmured, though Henry chose to take no notice. As far as he was concerned, Miss Tidemore's feelings were of very little consequence. All that mattered was her loyalty to him and to the vows they might soon make.

***

"We have arrived." Henry looked back at his betrothed, only to see her head turning to look out of the window – the window opposite to where he sat. It was abundantly clear that she had no interest in being in company or conversation with him though Henry had to admit that he had certainly contributed to that. In showing her very little interest, why would he then expect or anticipate that she would be at all interested in hearing what he had to say?

"It is a magnificent estate."

It was the first time he had heard her speak ever since they had left the inn and the wonder in her voice did make Henry smile… though he quickly pulled his expression flat again.

"Yes, my dear, quite magnificent. Though I must inform you that there is a great deal to learn." Henry's mother reached across and patted Miss Tidemore's hand. "Though you will have many people to assist you in that, of course."

Miss Tidemore turned her head back towards the Duchess and smiled, though it was a little wry. "I shall do all that I can to learn as quickly as I can," she said, softly, her gaze quickly darting up towards Henry's, through it then pulled away just as quickly. "I am grateful to you for your support, Your Grace."

"But of course." The Duchess smiled and then looked to Henry, though he did not see it. Much to his surprise, he was finding himself a little… surprised. Surprised at the beauty which he now saw in Miss Tidemore's features, the quiet smile which sent a flickering light into her hazel eyes. Her cheeks were a little flushed and her hands clasped lightly in her lap, betraying her sense of astonishment and perhaps a little anxiety over what was to come. Henry had always thought that Miss Tidemore was pretty enough to satisfy him, though he had not thought her beautiful, not until this moment.

"Fairglen?"

Henry coughed lightly and looked to his mother. "Yes?"

"The footman is waiting."

Too late, Henry realized that the carriage had come to a stop and the footman was now waiting for his instruction to open the carriage door. How long had he been sitting here, contemplating Miss Tidemore? And had either his mother or the lady herself noticed?

"Of course. Forgive me. I… I was taking a few moments to consider now that I have returned home." He gestured to the footman to open the door, aware that his excuse sounded flimsy and ridiculous. Climbing out, he stepped forward, surveying his manor house and finding himself a little more at ease now that he was back where he knew he belonged.

"It is a very grand house indeed!" Miss Tidemore exclaimed, as she came to stand beside Henry's mother. "Goodness, what beauty is here!"

"Yes, indeed." The Duchess smiled and then gestured to the door, looking up at Henry.

Henry frowned, not certain what his mother expected, only for her to click her tongue in exasperation before turning to Miss Tidemore again. "Shall we go inside? You will be tired after your journey and I am sure you would like to rest. I know that I am certainly eager to do so!"

Miss Tidemore nodded and threw a quick look towards Henry, though he did not return it. Striding up the steps, he left his mother and Miss Tidemore to walk together, finding himself a little disturbed by what he had been contemplating for the last few minutes. He did not want to notice the lady and certainly had no desire to think of her in any sort of affectionate terms! That had been a foolishness he had put himself through last time and he was not about to do it again.

"I presume your father, mother and sister will arrive here in time for dinner," he said, throwing the words over his shoulder. "I shall see you all then. Good afternoon."

"Fairglen!"

Henry turned, seeing his mother's eyes alight with astonishment. "Yes?"

"You are not about to leave Miss Tidemore here, are you?"

"She wishes to rest, Mother," Henry stated, never once looking at the lady herself. "There can be no reason for me to suggest anything other than that."

"Aside from the fact that you could suggest to your betrothed that once she has rested, you might then walk with her around the estate, show her all that will, one day, be hers to order and maintain."

Henry's jaw tightened, his brow furrowing as he looked back at his mother in silence, all full aware of what it was that she was trying to do. She was attempting to force his hand, to demand that he spends time with this young lady rather than setting her back from himself.

"You cannot get to know someone unless you spend time with that person," his mother said, all the more bluntly, as Miss Tidemore looked away, a gentle flush coming into her cheeks. Henry scowled all the more darkly but seeing his mother lift an eyebrow to him, questioning silently whether or not he was going to do as she had suggested, Henry let out a slow, steady breath and then looked to Miss Tidemore.

"Might you wish to take a brief walk around the estate, once you have rested?" he asked, his tone as low and as dark as he dared to permit it to be, in the hope that it might convince her not to come and do as he had suggested. Miss Tidemore looked up at him, her eyes flickering with the clear question as to whether or not this was a genuine, a true desire and, as she studied his face, Henry let his frown sink lower into his expression.

"Yes, I should like that very much."

Henry closed his eyes briefly, ignoring the way his mother let out a delighted exclamation. Clearly, Miss Tidemore had decided to ignore his obvious displeasure and had accepted his request. That did not sit well with him.

Though , he considered, that does show an interest in my estate and the consideration of her duties, should she become Duchess.

"I will join you, of course, though I will make sure to stay a little away from you both so you may both walk together," his mother smiled, putting one hand to Henry's arm and pressing it gently before turning back to Miss Tidemore. "Now, let me have you shown up to your room at once, Miss Tidemore. You must be very tired after our journey."

"I thank you." Edith looked to the Duchess and then back to Henry. "Within the hour, Your Grace?"

"Let us make it two hours," he muttered, finding himself almost despondent at the thought of being alone with her. "Until later, Miss Tidemore."

She nodded and then stepped away without a word. Henry ignored the fiery look his mother sent towards him and, after a moment, turned on his heel and made his way along the hallway to his own quarters, the frown growing heavier across his face with every passing second.