Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

“ Y ou seem rather cheery today.” Rodger remarked as they walked down the narrow country lane and into the village.

The two of them had decided to venture into the village and enjoy a little country air and visit the book seller. Rodger, of course, had delighted in the opportunity and Luke wanted to find something that he might use to help Emily.

“Do I?” Luke replied. “Perhaps it is simply that the sun is shining and it is nice to get out of the castle.”

“It is rather enjoyable to stretch one’s legs I suppose, and there is nothing quite like visiting a bookshop in another village.” Rodger beamed. “I am glad you suggested it.”

“You are not to go completely mad, brother-mine. We shall have to arrange transport for whatever you buy and though it is admirable to support the local merchants, I have no wish to travel home with an entirely new library.” Luke gave his brother a meaningful look. He would easily buy the whole store if I let him.

Rodger raised his eyebrows, affecting an overly innocent look. “Perhaps you should define what you think is reasonable.”

Luke smiled. “No more than three or four new titles.”

“Only three or four?” His brother looked crestfallen.

“Yes. That is plenty. We are only here for a few more days after all, you are not going to get through more than that. Not if you want to spend any time socialising.” Luke pointed out.

As he did so, he wondered whether Rodger and Emily had spent any more time together. Soon she may be able to speak to him at least a little of books. A prickle stirred in his chest as he imagined the two of them giggling over books together, and he frowned.

“I suppose you are right.” Rodger sighed.

Luke shook himself lightly and said brusquely, “There is no supposing. The whole point of this trip is for you to get to know Miss Pembleton. You will not do that if you spend the rest of our time here with your head stuck in a book.”

“I know that.” Rodger grumbled.

“How are things between the two of you?” Luke asked, taking a steadying breath.

“They are fine, I suppose. Not much has changed, I wish – Ahh!” Rodger slipped and lost his footing, almost falling, but Luke caught his arm. “Thank you, what on Earth did I step on?”

Luke glanced at the ground, and saw a small book. “That.”

Rodger stooped to pick it up, frowning. “I wonder who this belongs to? Oh, it is Tom Jones, how marvellous. It is truly excellent!”

“We should try and return it to its owner.” Luke glanced up and down the lane, but could not see anyone. “Perhaps we will find them in town. We cannot be far.”

“Hopefully, I should hate for anyone to be parted with such a wonderful book.” Rodger was gently wiping it off with a handkerchief. “I hope I have not damaged it.”

“If you have, then perhaps you might buy them a new copy.” Luke began to walk down the lane. “I assume it is not an especially rare title?”

“No.” Rodger was inspecting the pages of the book as they walked, which resulted in Luke needing to gently guide him out of the way of a passing carriage. “Thank you.”

“Perhaps you can inspect the book when we are no longer walking.” Luke gestured to it.

Rodger nodded, and held it in his hand. “That may be wise.”

“It is generally best to focus on what one is doing, especially when on a road.” Luke dusted a speck of dirt off the lapel of Rodger’s coat.

Rodger shrugged and coloured slightly. “You are always looking out for me.”

“Of course.” Luke smiled.

“It is nice to see you in such a good mood. I cannot remember the last time you smiled this much.” Rodger gave him a sidelong look.

Luke’s stomach twisted and he did his best to keep his face neutral, arching an eyebrow at his brother. “You paint quite the dour picture of me brother.”

“Not dour, just… Well serious.” Rodger made a vague motion with his hand. “I understand it, you bear a heavy mantle.”

“It is the nature of being a duke.” Luke shrugged.

“I know but… Is that Lady Marie?” Rodger gestured a little way down the road, to a figure who was bent over distractedly. “Lady Marie?”

The figure looked up, and Luke saw that his brother had been right. What was she doing out here, alone? Luke frowned as they moved towards Lady Marie.

“Lord Baine, Duke Warren. It is good to see you both.” She said distractedly, still looking around them as though searching for something.

“And you.” Luke replied. “I am surprised you are out unchaperoned.”

“I was with Natalie and Emily, but I left them in the dress shop to come look for my book.” Lady Marie bit her lip as she peered around.

Emily is in town. Luke felt a thrill run through him, which surprised him. He shook his head, trying to clear it. It was probably just surprise, after all, they had not had a chance to speak since their lesson the night before.

Perhaps it is just irritation that she would let another woman wander around unchaperoned. But that did not feel right.

“It would not happen to be this one, would it?” Rodger held up the book he had tripped on.

“That is it!” Lady Marie exclaimed. “Thank you!”

“I am afraid I may have stepped on it by accident. If it is damaged, I will buy you a replacement.” Rodger ran a hand through his hair and smiled at Lady Marie.

“Oh, you need not do that. It was my own silly fault. I should really have left it at home, but I just needed to know what was going to happen next.” Lady Marie clutched the book to her.

Rodger gave her a knowing smile. “Ah, I expect I know where you are.”

“Have you read it?” her eyes widened.

“Several times. It’s one of my favourite novels.” Rodger admitted.

“It is my first time! It has been on my reading list for ages, but I’ve never managed to find the time to fit it in.” Lady Marie blushed.

“Well, I am glad you have now.” Rodger said. “I only hope I have not ruined the book with my clumsiness.”

“It is hardly your fault. I was the one who dropped it.” Lady Marie replied. “And it looks like the important pages are as yet undamaged.”

“Perhaps we should escort Lady Marie back to her companions?” Luke suggested.

“Only if it is not a bother.” Lady Marie looked between him and Rodger. “I would not wish to cause you any trouble.”

“It is no trouble. Besides, I doubt my brother would allow us to abandon a young woman alone.” Rodger gestured for Marie to walk beside them.

“No indeed, I would not. And I would say I was surprised at Miss Pembleton, but that would not be the truth.” Luke said.

“Emily did offer to come with me, but well… Natalie is so excited about the ball, I knew she would be furious if I dragged her from the modiste.” Lady Marie ran a hand through her hair.

“It was nice of you to consider your sister’s feelings, even if it was not entirely proper.” Rodger said.

“It is a little self-serving, Lord Baine. I had no wish to deal with her ire.” Lady Marie laughed and Rodger joined in.

Luke could not help but smile as he recalled the way in which Lord Peter and Lady Natalie argued. “You are from a family of strong opinions it would seem.”

“As are you, Your Grace.” Lady Marie replied as they began to walk towards the modiste together. “I think that is why I love reading as much as I do, it gives me a respite from their opinions.”

“You use it to escape?” Rodger asked.

“Escape, or perhaps explore. I find that reading truly broadens ones horizons, do you not think?” Lady Marie beamed. “Take Tom Jones – Fielding seeks to explore morality and human fallibility, and in so doing encourages his reader to interrogate concepts of good that allow for human complexity.”

“Exactly! I love that Fielding does not seek to guide his reader, but offer us a critical lens into the themes of virtue as a practice rather than as preached.” Rodger added.

Luke tried to follow the exchange, but found himself struggling to focus on the conversation. It did not help that he had not read the book in question. Is this how Emily feels?

The thought hit him hard, twisting like a knife in his chest. It struck him in that moment, how isolating not being able to read would be. How lonely would it be to constantly sit on the outside of a conversation, unable to break in?

He imagined Emily being able to join in conversations, to connect with people. Perhaps then she will see what she has to offer. The thought took him by surprise, and he shook his head.

Lady Marie’s voice jerked him back to the present. “My siblings are forever teasing me about my reading list.”

“Why would they do that?” Luke asked, trying to rejoin the conversation and force thoughts of Emily from his mind.

“Because I am forever adding things to it.” She laughed.

Rodger gave her an excited nod. “I am the same. There is just so much to read!”

“And I want to read it all!” Lady Marie agreed.

“I often think that if I had the power to halt time, I should use it to give myself the opportunity to read more.” Rodger said.

Lady Marie gave an excited nod. “I say the same thing as well! Although, I often wish I had the ability to go back in time, which is essentially the same thing.”

“I suppose that would depend on how the power manifested.” Rodger countered.

Luke glanced between the two of them, trying to keep up with their train of thought. He frowned at them.

“Hardly, to be able to travel back in time would defacto grant one the ability to have more time.” Lady Marie gestured with her hand.

“Not necessarily, for it does not account for the passage of time in oneself.” Rodger pointed out.

Lady Marie shook her head. “But nor does the ability to freeze time, unless you imply that in so doing you would freeze it for oneself which would negate the entire purpose of such a power.”

They had reached the modiste, and Luke held open the door, ushering them in as they continued their conversation. He hesitated, wondering if it would be better for him not to enter.

You are being ridiculous. There is no reason to avoid her. He took a steadying breath and walked into the modiste’s shop.