16. Chapter 16

Chapter sixteen

Louisa stood in the Lavender Room, surveying the progress as servants removed furniture and workers joined together to roll up the massive rug on the center of the floor. It had been more fulfilling to be involved in reworking the room than Louisa had anticipated, and she watched it all unfold with a level of satisfaction. No longer would the room be gaudy and full of feminine florals, but a nice blend of deep, masculine colors and fine furnishings. It would suit herself and the duke.

"Very nicely done, Louisa," the dowager allowed. "Things are shaping up nicely."

"Thank you." She smiled wider under her mother-in-law's praise. "I must admit that it is looking well thus far."

"I know Robert is quite proud of you."

"What?" Louisa snapped her head in her direction.

Arabella gave a self-satisfied smile. "Oh, yes. He went on about it for quite some time yesterday."

Louisa picked at her finger, feeling unreasonably self-conscious at the mention of Robert's praise. "That was very kind of him."

"So, I told him you no longer need me, and I shall retire to Glennview for the remainder of the year."

"You . . ." Words dried up on her tongue. Leave? Already? She had grown somewhat close to the woman over the last couple of months and had come to enjoy her company. If she left, it would just be Louisa and Robert. And that thought worried her.

"It is time for you to stretch your wings—for you and Robert to make a home for yourselves. I would only be in the way."

Louisa reached her hand over, taking Arabella's arm. "Nonsense. We welcome having you here."

Arabella looked down at Louisa's hand, as if people touching her was a foreign concept. She finally gave it a hesitant pat. "I think it is time. But I will be back." She looked Louisa dead in the eye with her next words. "Especially once I have a little grandbaby to spoil."

Baby . . ? Louisa's stomach knotted, clenching tightly enough she momentarily forgot how to catch a breath.

"What?" Arabella leaned forward. "Are you already in the family way?"

"No!" Louisa dropped her arm like a red-hot branding rod. "I mean—" She ran her hands along her waist, then threw her hand in the air when she realized how that might look. "No." She held a hand firmly out. "I am not in the family way."

Arabella narrowed her eyes, showing just enough to make her suspicions known without revealing too much. Just like Robert. "Well, when you are, be sure to let me know. This will be my first grandchild, and I cannot deny that I am getting a bit impatient."

Louisa took a breath as spots formed in her vision. She knew this would be part of her agreement with Robert. He was a duke and would need an heir, but how could she separate the contractual things from the emotional? It almost would have been better to have gone ahead on their wedding night when she still thought him a bit cold and distant. Their situation was getting stickier and more difficult to navigate with every day that passed.

"Yes," she finally managed to say. "You will be the fifth to know."

"Fifth?" Arabella quirked a brow.

"Well, yes. After Robert, my mother must be next, and if I tell Mother, then Violet is sure to find out as well. And, of course, I shall technically be the first to know, therefore you would be . . . fifth." She had paused, realizing how stupid the entire montage of musings had been, but she had to finish her thought, regardless.

Arabella laughed. "Oh, my dear. I do not think you realize how much of a blessing you have been. Robert needs someone like you."

"No, he—"

"Hush," she interrupted. "I think I would know. I knew him well before you and have seen the change in him—the change you have brought out."

"You are too kind. But really," Louisa continued, attempting to switch the subject, "you need not leave. We are happy to have you."

"Not another word." Arabella sliced the air with her hand. "I am leaving to allow you two the time to get to know one another. That is that."

Louisa nodded, then turned her attention back to the matter at hand. A room needed to be surveyed, and she was the lady of the house. Soon to be the only lady.

Louisa threw herself into the care of Stonemoore once Arabella took her leave. Better that than find herself alone with Robert, which seemed to be happening more and more. It was the strangest thing. If she was in the kitchen going over the menu with Mrs. Powell, he would happen to arrive at nearly the same time, also needing to discuss something with Mrs. Powell. And when Louisa needed to go to the milliner for a new pair of gloves or hat, Robert would claim a pair of boots needing repairs and go with her to drop them off. Things that easily could have been seen to by a servant, but Robert decided to take it upon himself.

But today, Louisa determined she would take Prince for a walk, and she was specifically going to Hyde Park—a place Robert had gone to great lengths to show he did not care for. After gathering her things, she tucked Prince's leash about his neck and made for the door.

"Where are you off to?"

Louisa spun about. "Oh. I'm only leaving to take Prince for a walk."

Robert's sturdy frame sauntered over to her. "It is a lovely day for it. Perhaps I shall join you."

What? Why would he want to go for a walk with her and Prince when he had shown a clear aversion to her little dog? "Nonsense. I understand you are busy."

Robert tilted his head a fraction of an inch. A rare look into that head of his, where the mysterious lay. "I find some fresh air sounds delightful." And without another word, he held his arm out to her.

"We are going to Hyde Park."

His arm slackened under her hand. "Ah."

"You need not go."

He lifted his arm back up and he gave a nod. "No. I would like some air. Let us be off."

She swallowed, taking a calming breath. For whatever reason, she could not shake the man.

"Very well. Let us get on with it, then."

The ride in the chaise was quiet but for Prince parading from one side of the seat to the other, his eyes following every bird that deigned to fly near them. Any time Prince ended up in Robert's lap, he would grimace and discreetly use his arm to push him away.

"I know you do not like him," Louisa said through a smile. "And I can see what you are doing."

"Me?" Robert folded his arms, snapping his eyes from his lap to her.

Louisa only shook her head as her grin widened. Soon, the infamous Hyde Park came into view, and Robert helped her down from her seat as she held Prince neatly beneath her arm.

"I am surprised you came today." Louisa placed Prince down, taking a strong hold on his leash.

Robert offered his arm, and they began a slow stroll along the small ponds laced with trees about their edges. It made for a nice walk, even if it wasn't quite as private as the grounds around Stonemoore. "I told you. The fresh air sounded lovely."

Louisa looked up at him, finding herself reluctantly admiring the edge of his jaw.

She shook her head. "That is the only reason?" Louisa felt it better to understand one another than allow discrepancies to lead them down the wrong path. This was not a love match, and he had agreed to that. Something was awry, and she wanted to clear the air.

"Would it be so wrong if I said I wished to spend some time with you?" He looked about the park, not meeting her eye. "We agreed to be friends. And how can one be a friend without spending time with the other?"

There. He had offered her an explanation and she need not worry about his motives any longer—for that is precisely what she hoped for. A comfort between them without the unnecessary addition of romance. She nodded. "Very nicely said."

Prince tugged on his leash harder, his tongue lagging out of his mouth as a squirrel scampered from one tree to another.

"Prince, no. Do not pull so hard." Louisa pulled the leash back, attempting to keep him reined in.

Robert spared Prince a glance. "Do you really believe he understands you?"

"Perhaps not my words, but he certainly can understand my tone."

Robert chuckled. "Much like my mother used to do if my father asked how she was and she would respond with fine . Believe me. We all knew she was anything but fine."

Louisa glanced up at him, smiling. Yes. This new, lighter rapport between them was for the best. She need not worry over it. "I adore your mother. I must admit I was disappointed when she left."

"She will be back," he assured her.

When Louisa procured the woman a grandchild. But the words would not leave Louisa's tongue. "Yes. I look forward to it. Perhaps at Christmastime?"

"She mentioned wishing to come for a visit then."

"Prince, no," Louisa scolded as Prince pulled his leash toward a flock of geese along one of the small ponds. She should have seen this coming. This would be no relaxing walk.

"Here, would you like me to take the leash?" Robert held a hand out toward it.

"No, I had better keep it. He can be a bit difficult on walks with wild creatures about. While he might be small, he believes he is a protector of sorts."

"Yes. That goose there looks ready to attack at any moment. Without him, we would be doomed."

Louisa lightly stuck an elbow into Robert's side. "He means well. Let us allow him to think he is helpful. What is the harm in that?"

Robert let loose another smile and her heart faltered. She had always believed him to be severe and thus had tainted her view of his appearance. But when he smiled, all his hard edges softened and made her think another man laid beneath all the bravado. And more and more, she was finding a curiosity burning within her to know more about him. But she had to tread carefully. She did not want curiosity to lead her down the road to affection.

Louisa was so distracted by Robert's dashing smile that when a goose let out a horrid honking sound, she was not prepared for Prince to pull on his leash with every ounce of strength his small white body contained. She gasped as the fabric slipped from her hand. Before she could reach down and grab it, Prince was streaking across the green grass, barreling toward the flock of geese and sending them sprawling into the air like a feathery plume of smoke.

"Prince!" Louisa began to run after him, but Robert pulled her arm.

"You cannot chase a dog through Hyde Park, Louisa." Robert's words were firm but quiet.

"What am I to do then?"

He sighed, pinching his nose before striding ahead. White feathers fluttered about as Prince ran in circles, yipping at the air. The geese refused to settle back in the grass amidst his constant threat of attack.

Just as Robert made it to the fiasco, taking cautious steps as he watched where his feet stepped, the geese began their descent to the glassy surface of the pond.

Louisa hurried over to Robert, but as he went to grab Prince under his belly, her horrid little dog took a flying leap into the murky water.

"Prince, no!"

Robert ran a hand along his face as he rolled his shoulder. "Now we get to escort a wet dog home. I cannot say I've ever enjoyed the smell that accompanies such a thing."

"But he can't swim." Louisa's gaze darted toward the water, watching as Prince rather deftly paddled after the geese. They didn't seem threatened, only swimming ahead of him whenever he drew near.

Robert propped his hands on his hips as he watched Prince tread the water, attempting to get little nips of the geese. "He seems to be swimming now."

"But I do not know how long he can keep going." Her heart began pounding in her ears.

"He is an animal. I'm sure he knows his limits and will come back before too long."

Louisa's chest burned as Prince swam farther and farther toward the center of the pond and she began wringing her hands together. "I do not think he can last much longer." Before she fully understood what she was doing, Louisa began to strip her gloves off, ready to throw herself into the water if necessary. She would not stand by and watch as Prince dipped below the murky waters, despite whatever reassurances Robert threw her way.

"What are you doing?" Robert's eyes widened as he watched her tear the second glove off.

"I am going in after him." She gave the gloves to him, then began pulling up her skirts.

Robert grabbed her arm before she took more than one step. "You cannot go in there."

"I cannot let him drown." She was pulling against his arm, despite knowing she was no match for his strength.

He sighed, still holding her captive. "Surely he will not drown."

Louisa glanced at the water where Prince seemed to be sinking lower. His mouth was beginning to take in water. "I cannot risk it."

"Let us just wait another moment—"

"We do not have another moment!" she finally snapped. Tears burned her eyes, and she tugged against Robert's hand, gaining her freedom. Louisa assumed he must have decided to let her go, but when she had gone but three steps into the water, she heard a muttered curse behind her. Splashing quickly followed as Robert trudged past her and deeper into the water. He shook his head with every step, slowly lowering into the pond's murky water. It wasn't very large, but she still held her breath as she watched Prince struggle to swim. He must have finally realized he was sinking, for he was now headed toward Robert, his little body bouncing as his legs worked to get him to shore.

The water was up to Robert's chest by the time he was close enough to reach out and lift Prince into his arms. And then the worst possible thing happened. As Robert took heavy steps toward the edge of the pond, Louisa's heart twisted itself in knots. For what could possibly be more endearing than a burly, serious man, dripping wet and cradling her small dog in his arms after rescuing him from death's door?

Robert gave his free hand a shake, sending droplets of water flying, before reaching down and attempting to squeeze the water out of the corner of his jacket. A useless cause, seeing how the rest of him was soaked.

When Robert made it to her side, Louisa tried to smile, but her lips wobbled. No. Please no. She would not cry . But even as she thought the words, a sob wrenched from her throat. She pinched her eyes shut, trying to wall in her tears. And then she felt a strong hand on her back, pulling her close. Giving up the struggle, she rested her brow against Robert's chest, the cool damp of his jacket against her forehead. He felt so strong as he gently held her. An anomaly she couldn't quite understand. She knew he was strong enough to lift her or defend her honor, but there was something about his soft grip on her back—as if it could support her through anything. And right now, she needed the steadiness of it. Of him.

He pressed his hand firmer against her back as her body jerked with her quiet sobs. For she was dearly trying not to cry.

"Shhhh." He leaned down so his face pressed against her hair. "Prince is all right. Everyone is all right."

She hiccupped, and Prince set to licking the salty tears from her face.

"Let us get home," Robert said, tucking his chin on her head.

She sniffed. "Yes. I am causing quite the scene."

"No, it was Prince who caused a scene." His thumb ran circles along her spine, and she felt her breathing settle into a normal rhythm as his comfort seeped into her.

Wiping her eye, she pulled back from Robert's chest. His hand held tightly for a moment before he let her go.

"I feel like a f-fool." She hunched her shoulders and Robert put a hand on her back again, leading her toward the chaise. "Wh-who cries over such a thing?"

Robert remained silent, but his thumb kept tracing circles along her back as they walked. On the way home, he wrapped his arm about her shoulders, silently comforting her.

And she let him.