Page 80 of The Spinster and Her Rakish Duke
“He has depths you haven’t yet plumbed,” Samantha suggested gently. “Perhaps, like his uncle, he simply needs the right circumstances to reveal his true character.”
Ewan’s gaze shifted to her then, green eyes warm with an emotion that made her breath catch. “And what of you, my tigress? Have I plumbed your depths sufficiently, or do you still harbor secrets that might surprise me?”
The intimate tenor of his question sent a shiver of awareness through her despite the innocent surroundings and the bright spring day.
“I believe, Your Grace,” she replied with a smile that held promise for the privacy they would share later, “that there are always new discoveries to be made between a husband and wife who truly seek to know each other.”
The heat that flared briefly in his eyes assured her that he understood her meaning perfectly, and the gentle pressure of his hand at the small of her back as they approached the carriage held the promise of continued exploration once they returned to the privacy of Valemont Hall.
CHAPTER 24
“Must you look so pleased with yourself, Your Grace?” Samantha asked, her voice lilting with amusement as she surveyed the freshly delivered stacks of lumber arranged neatly beside the cottage. “One might think you had hewn the timber with your own hands rather than merely ordering it from the mill.”
Ewan turned to find his wife standing in the doorway of what would soon become Valemont’s village school, a smudge of plaster dust on her cheek and her hair escaping its pins in a most delightful fashion.
The sight of her, so thoroughly engaged in this project, so utterly unconcerned with maintaining the pristine appearance expected of a duchess, stirred something profound within him.
“I am merely admiring the efficiency with which my orders have been carried out,” he replied, though his grin belied the formal tone. “The roof beams will be installed by week’s end, if Mr. Finchley is to be believed.”
“A momentous achievement indeed,” she teased, stepping into the sunshine to join him. “Nearly as impressive as Heather mastering her letters in a fortnight.”
It had been three weeks since their first visit to the cottage, and the transformation was well underway. The damaged eastern wall had been repaired, the rotted floorboards replaced, and the windows newly glazed to keep out the drafts. More remarkable still was the transformation of the village children, who had taken to appearing daily to observe the work and, increasingly, to receive informal lessons from Samantha while they waited for their proper school to be completed.
“She is a most apt pupil,” Ewan acknowledged, thinking of the solemn little girl who had attached herself to Samantha with unwavering devotion. “Though her progress surely owes more to her teacher’s patience than any natural brilliance.”
He watched her cheeks color prettily at the compliment. “You give me too much credit. These children are hungry for knowledge. They would learn from anyone willing to teach them.”
“Not just anyone,” he corrected gently, removing his gloves to brush the smudge of plaster from her cheek with his thumb. The simple touch sent a current of awareness between them, as potent now as it had been in those first heady days of discovery. “They respond to your genuine interest in their progress. Children are remarkably perceptive that way.”
She leaned into his touch momentarily before straightening with a self-conscious glance toward the workmen who tactfully kept their attention fixed on their tasks. “Perhaps. Though I suspect Percy’s astronomy lessons are the true highlight of their day.”
Ewan chuckled, recalling his nephew’s latest educational performance, which had involved an elaborate orrery constructed from household objects, with apples and oranges standing in for planets and a particularly large pumpkin representing the sun. “He does have a flair for the dramatic explanation.”
“And they adore him for it,” Samantha replied, her eyes warm with affection. “Who would have thought your poetic nephew would find his calling educating village children on the movements of celestial bodies?”
“Certainly not I,” Ewan admitted, shaking his head in continued amazement at Percy’s unexpected talent. “Though I’m beginning to suspect there are many things I have failed to perceive about those closest to me.”
The weight in his words drew her gaze to his face, her expression softening with understanding. They had spoken more openly in recent weeks about his family, about the darkness that had shadowed his childhood and the fears that still haunted him regarding his own nature.
Each revelation had been a stone removed from the wall he had built around himself, and each time, Samantha had met histruths with acceptance rather than the revulsion he had secretly feared.
“We all have our blind spots,” she said quietly, her hand finding his in a brief, reassuring squeeze. “The important thing is our willingness to see beyond them when shown the way.”
The simple wisdom of her words struck him with unexpected force. How thoroughly this woman had altered his perception—of himself, of his place in the world, of what might be possible despite the shadows of the past.
“Indeed,” he agreed, his voice rougher than intended. He cleared his throat and gestured toward the village lane. “I believe we’ve accomplished all we can for today. Might I persuade you to accompany me on a short excursion before we return to Valemont Hall?”
Curiosity brightened her features. “An excursion? Where to?”
“That, my tigress, is a surprise.” He offered his arm with exaggerated formality that made her laugh, a sound he never tired of drawing from her.
“How mysterious,” she remarked, placing her hand on his sleeve. “Should I be concerned that you’re planning to lead me into some manner of ducal mischief?”
“Absolutely,” he replied with a wolfish grin that brought a becoming flush to her cheeks. “Though I assure you, any mischief will be entirely proper.”
They bid farewell to the workmen and to Mr. Finchley, who promised to oversee the remainder of the day’s tasks.
The village was quiet in the late afternoon, most inhabitants still at work in the fields or engaged in household duties that would continue until dusk. A few called greetings as the duke and duchess passed, their initial wariness having given way to genuine regard as Samantha and Ewan had proven their commitment to the school project.
