Chapter 10

Chapter 10

"Is it just the one?" Henry asked the groomsman.

"Yes, Your Grace. We have the doctor at the stables. He told us to separate the sick horse from the rest."

He nodded not feeling up to what was about to transpire. Glanders was an infectious disease that infected the glands and lungs of horses. It was as fatal as a broken leg, meaning he would have to say his farewell to the animal.

"Morning doctor." He greeted the man waiting with the horse.

"Your Grace, good to see you. I am sorry about Sugar, she is in pain, Your Grace."

"Good to see you too doctor. Thank you for your time." Henry went to the horse. He wanted to thank her for all she had done for him. She had been so patient when he had learned to walk and ride again.

Is this really how I get to repay you?! At best to put you out of your misery?

Henry hugged the horse as his throat burned with the effort of withholding tears.

"Is there no way that she would recover?" Henry asked knowing there was little to no chance of that. The doctor looked down and shook his head.

"Right. The animal cannot suffer. Doctor if you would see to it," Henry said. He gave the horse one last hug and a scratch behind the ear. "I shall never forget you. Soon you will be free from pain," he whispered, and stood back.

Even though Henry had given the order, when the gunshot went off, he jumped. The groomsman stood ready and covered the animal with a blanket. He turned away to hide how upset he was and marched to his quarters.

Tomorrow morning I shall arrange a hunt. It will not do me any good to sit indoors and grieve. He thought as his eyes stung. The duke had invited peers closest to him to join him for a hunting trip. This was an activity he had not participated in for a while.

He realized that he had been living as a shell of his former self and that Charlotte had awoken him from his sleep. Since the accident, the duke has ceased activities all together. Charlotte had made the duke want to be part of life again. Whatever the outcome of this courtship, he would be forever indebted to her.

It was why, when the sun had barely made its way from its bed in the mountains, that the duke made his way to Charlotte's quarters to give her a gift. He had taken care of the little creature last night, making sure the young hound felt warm and safe.

A baby was still a baby even when it was an animal. The duke thought as he had carefully held the young puppy after he had given him warm milk. He had looked forward to showing her gift to her and would have struggled to fall asleep if he had not enjoyed the puppy at his side so much.

"Inform Lady Bethany that I would like her company in the lounging area as soon as she can," Henry instructed a servant. The duke watched the door, eagerly awaiting her arrival. He decided that facing away from her would offer a better surprise.

"Your Grace, you wanted to see me?" Lady Bethany spoke at the door just as he had turned around.

"Yes, My Lady. I wondered if you might be interested in taking care of him," the duke said, and turned to face her.

The look of pure happiness and delight that spread across her face was a hundred times more satisfying than he could have thought possible.

"Oh, he is so wonderful, Your Grace," she said as she picked the puppy up into her arms with care. "Is he really mine?"

"Yes, My Lady. If you will accept him." The duke could not stop smiling.

"Gladly, Your Grace." Her love for her new pet was evident. He left her to enjoy getting accustomed to taking care of her new friend while he joined the hunting team.

"The best of the litter, Your Grace. That is a big gift." Cecil said quietly as they tracked a deer.

"It is only right that I give my intended the very best," Henry replied.

"I agree, Your Grace. I hope she realizes that the small creature is worth more than diamonds," Cecil said shaking his head.

"So was the happy look she had upon receiving the gift," the duke replied honestly.

"I do not pretend to understand dog breeds," Cecil remarked. "You know, I do believe the Lady has had quite a positive effect on your demeanor, Your Grace."

"I can not disagree with you." The duke then pointed to a bush on the left of him. The bush rustled, and they both fell silent as they waited. A few seconds went by and nothing dared move. Suddenly, the deer burst towards them. The duke watched as the deer ran towards him. He readied his rifle and held his breath as he took aim.

Steady. Got him! The duke thought as he finally put the animal at rest. They had been searching for a young buck when they had spotted this wounded deer. They had immediately abandoned their hunt and had found the animal at last. Almost six hours of tracking had the men thirsty and tired. This hunt could however not be left for another day. This was a mercy kill.

"Another hunter must have done this and feared hunting on your grounds, Your Grace," Cecil said with sadness.

"True old friend. I would have rather settled for the Hunter to have trespassed and finished the deed," the duke replied, maddened that this creature had suffered.

The servants moved quickly to gather the animal to take it to the nearby village. The duke hunted only for his household when needed. On this occasion, he would send the meat and animal hide into the village. There, those who had not seen so much as bread for days, would feast tonight. He did it in honor of his father, who had come from a poor background and never forgotten where he had come from. Even with his Royal background!

As for the estate. They could expect the first kill of quail for supper as they had sent it for preparation this morning.

"Cecil? Do you remember how nervous I was before Lady Bethany came here?" the duke asked, knowing his friend would tease him.

"Your Grace, I recall vaguely," Cecil said in a teasing manner, remembering how the duke had been plagued by worry.

"I have changed my mind about her, you know." The duke said. "Did you notice how when she was vexed at those three that her accent became more… French?"

"I thought so too, Your Grace. I believe she had an education there." Cecil replied.

"That is also what I heard." The duke frowned, but then dismissed his qualms about her.

Did it matter that much if I thought her English and she is of French descent? Hardly! My every attempt has been to besmear her, but no longer.

"Your Grace," Tristan said, speaking for the first time in a long while. "It might be time to start again with Lady Bethany."

The duke and Cecil looked oddly at Tristan.

"It is not like you to make this much sense, Tristan." The duke said with a surprised grin.

"Perhaps, Your Grace. You see, I too have found a lady who both consumes and confounds me. Better still, she has eased an anger within me I have struggled with all my life," Tristan said with a smile.

"We all seem to be better men then," the duke said, sealing his decision in place. I shall start afresh with My Lady," the duke declared, still unable to believe the spoilt child had so easily turned into a beguiling swan. He hoped that he might have even the slightest amount of a profound meaning in her life as she did in his.

If she means that much to you, why do you still conceal the truth from her? The duke's mind asked the perfectly reasonable question. Could it be that you remember that even then there is nothing about you any woman would want?

"Time to head home, gentlemen," The duke announced. The duke was well known for going on hunts that would last the day or at the very least till nightfall. Now, it gave him more joy having someone to return home to. Someone who had erased all the doubt eating at him.

"Your Grace, who is acting out of character now?" Tristan said and was met with a good natured chuckle from the group.

"Not at all. I am starving," the duke said, as he felt genuine pangs of hunger.

"Your Grace, it is ungentlemanly to speak of such things," Cecil said, getting in on the game.

"Gentlemen, I am merely referring to the quail." The duke spoke truthfully, yet with a mischievous glint in his eye. Servants loaded rifles, ammunition, and necessities, boiling water for hand washing and tea. Once the carriage was ready, four man-servants lifted the duke into the open aired vehicle. They made it to seat six people instead of the usual two or four.

"Your Grace, it is strange to return from hunting before midday," Cecil remarked as the estate came into view.

"I agree with you. It is still pleasant enough weather to eat outside at the very least," the duke replied with cheer. We shall have the hunting picnic today instead of the next day."

"I do not see why we cannot, Your Grace. I am quite certain all the food must have been prepared already. Shall I go to the kitchen and relay your orders, Your Grace?" Tristan offered.

"Thank you Tristan. Though take heed being so helpful. I am used to you being more trouble than anything else. I may start to like you," Henry teased.

Tristan smiled back. The duke thought he would at the very least defend himself. He just laughed and said nothing further.

They arrived on the estate grounds within an hour. The duke looked towards the main house and smiled as Bethany, playing with her puppy, came into view.

I would never in my lifetime have guessed how pleasing it could be to have a woman waiting at home. The duke thought as he watched her. When she looked up and waved to him, it was the last bit of courage he needed to make his feelings known. She gave such a radiant smile that it blinded his sight from his fears. As soon as his chair touched the ground, he hurried to greet Charlotte.

"I hope your day was lovely, My Lady," the duke said, once he was close to her.

"It was, Your Grace. Congratulations on your successful hunt," Charlotte said with obvious pride. "I hope it will not upset you, Your Grace. I wanted to thank you for making my father and I so welcome in your home. I took it upon myself to make a dessert for tonight," Charlotte said nervously.

"No, not all, My Lady. That is the most kind of you. In fact, I must admit I cannot wait to sample it." The duke said, looking pleased. "Are you pleased with the puppy, My Lady?"

"Oh yes, Your Grace. He is so strong and playful. I have named him George," she said.

"I am not sure how His Majesty would take that," the duke said with a warm chuckle.

"Then it would be for the best if they did not meet, Your Grace," she replied and joined in the laughter. The duke moved to go in and she followed him without being asked. They made small talk and only left each other's side at the staircase to get ready for the afternoon lunch.

The hunting lunch was a family affair. It was hosted outside after hearing the French were doing this, and they called it a picnic .

Guests would bring food or drink or even contribute towards the costs of the meal. It was held in good weather where guests could enjoy sitting on soft grass or blanket where they could eat with their family. The duke had caught wind of it and felt it would make Lady Bethany feel more welcome. He personally was fond of the idea. Eating outside as opposed to in the dining hall, felt adventurous and thrilling.

Young children ran around playing while the older children played lawn bowls. The adults spent time on their blankets with books or nibbling the eats they had brought. The duke liked to be seated under a canopy. It enabled him and his guests to move more easily. Where the other families had baskets of food, the duke had a table set for his guests.

Servants stood at the ready nearby to serve the food on offer. The duke had ordered they have a table prepared for his guests while they had brought baskets of food. The servants had unpacked it all and stood ready to serve.

The quail took center stage, placed on a silver platter with trimmings on the side. The meat had been smoked for hours, preserving it in a glistening cherry wood coating. Preserved fruit stood nearby along with boards of cheese. The duke's favorite white Cheddar has been garnished with figs cooked in sugar. The rest of the table had plates with cakes or preserved meats. Fresh breads proudly held their own section of the table.

The duke took Lady Bethany to make sure she had lunch before he chose a plate for himself. They waited for Lord Wentworth to arrive before they sat together. The duke had insisted George attend the picnic with them. Two children came to ask if they could play with him.

The duke had been delighted when His Lady had joined them. He found comfort that she was so good with children. Her love of animals and appreciation of the gardens just added to her appeal.

She must want children of her own. She must also have concerns… and wonder if it were a possibility. I hope I have not caused her too much pain already, the duke thought bitterly.

George ran at full speed and leapt onto the duke's lap. Lady Bethany and the children stopped their play and looked at him. The duke looked down at the puppy and scratched him behind his ear. The puppy leapt up and gave the duke a few wet kisses. He burst out laughing and looked at Bethany.

Could this be what life could have been? Could I have had a wife and children? Only I would be on my feet and having good fun as well. It is too much to hope for. I shall have to enjoy this moment and it will have to sate me. The duke's mind gave him a harsh talking to.

"I do apologize, Your Grace," Lady Bethany said as she went down to pick George up.

"I love animals, My Lady." He hoped she had not heard how he had struggled to say the word love in her company.

"A very desirable quality, Your Grace," she said. The duke looked at her for a moment, trying to decide if she had meant her statement to sound as provocative as it had.

"Would you two like to join us?" She asked the children.

"We would not want to impose, My Lady," the young lady replied. Her younger brother smiled in agreement.

"Not at all," the duke said. The children smiled their thanks and followed Lady Bethany to the table. She made sure there were four plates made with only the finest meats, breads, cheese and sweets. Once they had eaten, the boy asked the duke if he was allowed to feed the puppy a last piece of meat from his plate.

"I think George would like that very much," the duke said, in an impressed tone.

"What type of puppy is he, Your Gwace." He addressed the duke, his young way of speaking still struggling with annunciation.

"Well, young man, I got him from a man who said the puppy's parents were a wolf and a bear."

"No wonder he is so large, Your Grace," the young lady replied.

The duke laughed. "Yes, I do suppose that makes sense."

"Forgive me, Your Grace," said a woman who had walked up to their tent.

"Good day, madam." He replied.

"Your Grace, these are my children," the woman said. "My eldest Emma and my second youngest Harold."

"Fine children, they are, madam," the duke said with fondness. "Emma, Harold, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." His mind had reeled at the girl's name. He had not spoken that name in years as it had belonged to that pretentious heiress. This lovely young lady, he hoped, had better ways.

"That is most kind, Your Grace. I feared they may be troubling you, Your Grace."

"Hardly. They are so well brought up," Lady Bethany said and looked at Henry. He returned her smile, agreeing with her. The woman thanked them and left with her children.

"They were fine children," the duke said as he picked at his plate.

"Is the food not to your liking, Your Grace?" Lady Bethany asked the duke.

He disliked that he had drawn attention to himself. He had a habit of fidgeting when he was nervous.

"The food is good. I was wondering if you might like to take a stroll by the river, with me." He said feeling more like a nervous youth than a man eleven years her senior.

"It does look beautiful, Your Grace. I would like to," she admitted.

They made their way to the riverbank with George in tow. "I hope it is not too forward for me to ask your feelings on our courtship, My Lady," the duke said, the strain it caused him to ask this, plain on his face.

"I think that it is more than appropriate to ask such a question, Your Grace. The answer is that I find your company most appealing," she replied and looked as though she wanted to add more but then thought better of it.