Chapter Seventeen

"Thank you for letting me call."

Miss Wilkins smiled. "My dear Miss Tidemore, I am the one who is grateful."

"Edith, please."

The vicar's wife nodded. "You are very generous, Miss Tidemore – I mean, Edith. Thank you for coming to call. The children are so delighted in your company."

Edith looked down at the many faces of the small children now all eagerly waiting for her to read the one final story she had promised them. Her thoughts went to Lily, the little girl she had left behind back at the orphanage in London. How much she missed being able to spend time with the little toddler who had caught her heart! For a moment, Edith wondered if there would be any possibility in having the little girl brought here, so that she might continue on in the care of the child, only for such a hope to sink low and shatter. The Duke had shown something of a softer side, yes, but that did not mean she had any confidence in approaching him with this. And certainly the Duchess would not be open to such a suggestion! She already thought Edith much too soft-hearted.

"They are eager and waiting for you, Edith," Miss Wilkins said, smiling. "You have already made a great impression on them, I think!"

Edith laughed, pushing all discouraging thoughts away and instead, going to sit down as the group of children followed her.

"Only one more story, and then it will be time for us to eat," Mrs. Wilkins reminded them all, though she too sat down on a chair, ready to listen to Edith. Edith opened the book and began to read, casting a spell over all of the children as they listened. How much she adored this! How much she delighted in spending time here, offering even the smallest moments of her time with these delightful children who had already lost so much.

When the story was finished, Edith smiled and bid good afternoon to the children, her expression softening as Caleb, one finger in his mouth, came towards her. When he put his arms out, she could not help but embrace him, pulling him up close to her and hugging him tightly.

"Did you enjoy the story?"

He nodded yes, his eyes looking up at her.

"Do you want to go and have something to eat? I can come with you, if you like?"

The child smiled big and bright and Edith looked up as the door opened, utterly astonished to see none other than the Duke himself walk into the room. His eyes caught hers, taking in the scene before him, seeing the child on her lap and the way he was cradled in her arms and, as she watched, the Duke's expression softened and he smiled.

"I see that the orphanage has taken to you in the same way as you have taken to the orphanage, Edith," he said, as Miss Wilkins rose to her feet to usher the last few children out of the room. "I had come to talk to the vicar about some improvements and he told me that you had come by."

"I am sorry," Edith responded, knowing that she had stepped away from the house guests and a little concerned now that he would think of her as neglecting her duties. "The other ladies were determined to take a walk through the gardens this morning while the gentlemen went out shooting again and since I have already taken many a walk through the gardens, I thought to come here instead."

The Duke smiled. "I am not berating you," he said, softly. "I think it a wonderful thing." He came closer to her and, much to Edith's astonishment, Caleb turned in her lap and then, after a moment of considering the Duke, reached his arms up towards him.

The Duke did not move. His expression appeared frozen, his eyes a little wide as he took in the child's lifted hands.

"I think he wants you to pick him up, Your Grace," Edith said gently, not certain if the reason for the Duke's reluctance was because he simply could not understand what the child wanted, or because he was a little uncertain about how to go about it. "Here." She rose and lifted Caleb in her arms, handing him to the Duke. The gentleman took him carefully, as though he might somehow shatter if he held him the wrong way but Edith set one hand to his arm in reassurance, smiling gently. Her heart was softening towards this gentleman more than she dared admit and as she took him in, seeing the gentleman and the child together, Edith's heart soared.

"I think he must be drawn to you," she said, as Caleb leaned his head down onto the Duke's shoulder and stuck his finger back into his mouth. "You need not fear that you will drop him, Your Grace. You are holding him securely."

The Duke harrumphed, clearly still feeling a little awkward, but all the same, Edith noticed the hint of a smile touching the edge of his lips.

"Your Grace, how kind you are to these children." Mrs. Wilkins came back into the room and held out her hands to Caleb. "Come now, my dear, let me take you to the dining room. There is soup waiting for you, as well as bread and cheese."

Caleb smiled and let Mrs. Wilkins take him, though he waved one hand towards the Duke and then to Edith. Edith let out a soft sigh, only to see the Duke gazing at her. A flush brushed across her cheeks but she smiled back at him regardless.

"I think he is a beautiful child," she said quietly, as the Duke walked to the door, ready to take his leave. "I have already told you about Lilly, have I not?"

The Duke nodded. "You did, but I should like to hear more about her – and about the orphanage in London," he said, as she smiled up at him. "Mayhap you would be contented to walk back to the manor house? We could talk as we went."

Edith's heart soared for the second time and when he offered her his arm, she took it without hesitation. "I should like that very much, Your Grace," she said softly, before walking with him out of the orphanage.

***

"It sounds as though you have the most wonderful aunt and uncle," the Duke murmured, as they drew near to the front of the manor house. "They have clearly encouraged you in that regard."

"Yes, and I am very grateful for that – and I am glad that my parents did not ever refuse me when I asked to go with my aunt. In fact, they encouraged it. I am glad for that."

"That is good." The Duke's voice grew quiet. "My father was always very generous. It was he who taught me all that a Duke's responsibilities ought to be. It is not only caring for the title, the estate and the family but also those who live around the estate. I do what I can for them though sometimes, it does seem very little."

"I am sure that even the smallest thing you do for such people is greatly received and very much appreciated," Edith answered, seeing the slight frown on the Duke's face fade. "I know that even reading a story to the children brings them a great deal of happiness even though for myself, it is only a very small thing."

"I suppose that is true." He smiled and then reached across to pat her hand with his free one. The touch sent sparks straight through her, stealing her breath as she fought to keep her composure. "You are most encouraging, Edith. I thank you for that."

Edith looked up at him as they came close to the manor house front door. "For myself, Your Grace, you cannot imagine my joy in knowing that you also feel the same way as I do about the orphanage, about those who are a good deal less fortunate. To see that this is something we share has truly overwhelmed me."

He paused for a moment, looking down at her. "I must say that I feel the same," he said, softly. "We have certainly begun to know each other a little better and I find myself grateful for that… even though I did not ever intend for us to be so."

Turning to face him, her hand still on his arm, Edith looked up into his face, holding his gaze steadily. "You can trust me, Your Grace."

The Duke blinked as though he had been a little surprised at her statement.

"I know that there has been a great pain caused in the past," Edith continued, speaking a good deal more bluntly than she had first anticipated. "I understand that the burden which that caused you was great indeed and that is why you now look at me with such suspicion. However, I want to assure you now, as I have tried to do before, that I have no loyalty to anyone else. I have no interest in anyone else and I can promise you that even though this match was made without even a word to me, I will keep my promises, make my vows and hold fast to them. I am not the sort of young lady who has no intention of turning away without consideration or thought so in that regard, Your Grace, you can trust me." She smiled softly, though a rush of sadness came into her heart as she saw how he frowned. "You may not believe me now, you may not even trust me in the near future but I hope, in time, that you will see that my words are true."

The Duke let out a slow breath and then nodded, turning away from her and then beginning to walk up to the door. "I understand what you are trying to say to me, Edith," he admitted, his gaze pulling away from hers, "but I cannot simply give my trust so easily. It is growing, slowly, but – "

The door to the manor house opened for both the Duke and Edith to step inside and, as they did so, the words the Duke spoke were broken apart completely. He stopped short, his eyes flaring wide as he came to a dead stop, Edith standing beside him. She did not understand what the surprise could be, seeing only the Duchess and a gentleman and a lady she did not recognize standing together in the hallway.

The three of them turned as one to face the Duke and Edith sucked in a breath, seeing how the gentleman's eyebrows knotted, his expression darkening.

"Brother," he said, as the Duke tensed, his arm stiffening under Edith's hand. "It has been some time but finally, I have returned to the family estate."

"And why you have you done so?" the Duke asked, dropping Edith's hand from his arm and taking a few steps closer, his hands now curling into fists by his side. "Whatever makes you think that you would be welcome here?"

Edith watched as the Duke's brother, a gentleman whose title she did not yet know, turned to look at the Duchess and then, after a moment, shook his head.

"Mother wrote to me and insisted that we would be welcome at your house gathering," he said, looking back at the Duke. "It appears now that she wrote without speaking directly to you and for that, I am sorry."

"I did it because you both need to reconcile," the Duchess stated firmly, coming closer to both of her sons as though she intended to step in between them, should the argument come to blows. "This is a foolishness which has gone on long enough!"

Edith made to turn away, thinking that this was a situation best left for the family to deal with alone, only for the Duke to call her name. Flushing hot, she turned back, coming close to him again as the Duke reached out to catch her hand in his.

"Miss Tidemore," he grated, his tone dark and heavy. "Might I introduce to you my brother, the Marquess of Frankton, and to his wife, the Marchioness of Frankton?" He gestured to one after the other, his expression still angry, his brows so low over his eyes, there was nothing but shadow there. "They will not be staying long. In fact, I think it is probably best to bring the carriage around at once." He looked to her, one eyebrow lifted. "Do you not think that would be best?"

Edith did not know what to say. How could she respond to such a question? Her face hot, she dropped her gaze and clasped her hands in front of her, refusing to give the Duke an answer. She could not. Not when she was entirely unaware of the relationship between the Duke and his brother… though from this interaction alone, she presumed it was a very tense relationship.

"You ought not to put your betrothed in such a position, brother." The Marquess of Frankton folded his arms across his chest. "As I said, Mother wrote and invited us and I presumed that you yourself were eager to mend our relationship. After all, it has been many years since – "

"I think this conversation ought to be continued in your study, away from the other guests." The Duchess, taking a hold of the situation, spread out her hands. "It is unseemly to have it here in the hallway. Now come, Miss Tidemore, and you also, Lady Frankton. Let me show you to your room, Lady Frankton, and I am sure that you will also require a little rest, Miss Tidemore?"

Edith nodded, though much to her surprise, Lady Frankton did not look in the least bit pleased. The lady did not smile and nor did she step away from her husband. Rather, she shared a look with him; a look which Edith could not make out.

"I think that would be for the best, my dear." Lord Frankton reached out and took his wife's hand, as though it was an encouragement to her. "I will come to speak with you as soon as I can."

"But do not think to unpack your things," the Duke interrupted, harshly. "Neither of you will be staying."

Edith turned away abruptly, her heart aching with both sorrow for the situation that had been thrust upon the Duke and, at the same time, sympathy for Lord and Lady Frankton. Her steps took her back to her own bedchamber, away from the difficulties that this family presented while worrying solely about what this might do to the Duke of Fairglen and his connection to herself.