Page 91 of Duchess By Accident
Adrian shook his head as Lord Peter glanced at him. “I think you shall have to ask your Father.”
“He will just say no again. That is why I am asking you. If you give me a puppy he will have to accept it!” Melody grinned.
Adrian laughed and knelt beside his daughter. “You are far too cunning for your own good.”
“I think I am just cunning enough actually.” Melody pointed to his shoulders as her uncle laughed.
“She sounds just like Natalie. You best watch out, Blackwood, they will both be running the place before you know it.” Lord Peter shook his head. “Natalie always had rather a knack for getting her way.”
“So I have learned.” Adrian smiled fondly. “But I have a few tricks of my own.”
Melody tugged on his sleeves. “May I sit on your shoulders to look at the ruins?”
“Of course.” Adrian scooped her onto his shoulders and straightened.
“How is the weather up there?” Lord Peter asked, looking up at Melody.
“It is much the same as down there.” Melody pointed to the ground.
Adrian chuckled and set off towards the ruins.
“I wonder how the girls are getting on?” Lord Peter asked. “Do you think they are talking about me?”
“Who knows what women talk about?” Adrian answered.
“Secrets.” Melody quipped. “That is what Nanny says.”
His heart sank, but he forced a smile onto his face. After all, Nanny Green was not always right.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Thank you for being so accommodating. I feared that Duke Blackwood would be furious at us turning up unannounced.” Lady Isabelle clasped her hands together.
Natalie studied her as they walked through the gardens together. The day was so beautiful it had seemed a shame to be inside, but more than that, Natalie had wanted to ensure that any conversation they had would not be overheard.
It would seem my husband is rubbing off on me.The thought made her smile. She wondered how his ride with Peter was going. Natalie forced herself to return to the present.
“There was a time when he probably would have been, but this will give us time to get to know one another – after all, you are to be a part of the family.” She gave her a warm smile.
“That is true.” Lady Isabelle gave her a shy grin. “It feels strange to be back here after so many years. So much has changed and yet so much is the same.”
“What do you mean?” Natalie looked around them, trying to imagine what might have changed in the years since the woman had last been here.
Lady Isabelle pointed to the orchard. “Well, I remember when Claire planted those apple trees. She was so excited, but she never got to see them fruit. And now they are laden with the things.”
“I had not realised she had planted the apple trees.” Natalie glanced at the orchard. “Apple crumble is one of Melody’s favourite puddings.”
“It was Claire’s as well. Apple Trees were always her favourite plants. And foxglove, though I am glad to see that is gone. They always worried me for Melody’s sake.” Lady Isabelle shook her head, her lips forming a thin line of displeasure.
Natalie shrugged, managing to be significantly more gracious than she felt as she remembered Adrian’s guilt over the flowers. “Perhaps she did not know how dangerous they could be, very few people do.”
“I tried to tell her, but she was stubborn. She said that she would enjoy them while Melody was still young enough not to be able to move freely.” Lady Isabelle sighed.
“It is not an attitude I would take, not personally.” Natalie schooled her face into a neutral expression – it would not do to put the woman’s back up, not if she wanted answers.
“You are being diplomatic.” Lady Isabelle arched an eyebrow at her.
“Perhaps, though I fear it would do little good to speak ill of the dead. What is done is done.” Natalie let a beat of silence fall between them. “And what has remained the same?”
