Page 20 of When He Was a Duke
“I believe so. Thorncroft said something about how he talked real pretty.” Hale smiled.
“I too have noticed it,” Rose said. The handsome gardener had made an impression on her. Too much so.
“I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about,” Mrs. Blythe said. “His circumstances changed, and now he needs to work for a living. That’s what Thorncroft told me anyway.”
Rose wished to know more but knew better than to ask and give herself away. “I shall feel relieved to know your opinion,” Rose said to Mr. Hale. “You have excellent judgment.”
“You’re too kind, my lady. I shall report in if I discover anything untoward.”
As Hale left, Rose observed Mrs. Blythe’s gaze following him out the door with an expression in her eyes that, if pressed, Rose would have to describe as lovelorn. How strange. They’d known each other for a long time. Hale had been engaged to Lizzie at the time of Rose’s mother’s death. Lizzie, who had been her mother’s loyal lady’s maid, had died just days after Lady Wentworth. Her horse had been spooked by something—no one knew what. From what Mrs. Blythe had told Rose, Hale had been devastated by the loss. In her words, “He’s never been the same.”
But that was a long time ago. Twelve years had passed. Was that enough time to heal a heart? Could he fall in love again?
“He’s a good man,” Rose said to Mrs. Blythe. “Handsome too.”
“I suppose one could say so. Lizzie was my dear friend. The love of his life, that she was.”
Rose wanted to pry further but didn’t want to offend Mrs. Blythe. “I must be off. Thank you.”
“Anything for you, my lady.”
The women exchanged loving smiles before Rose got up and hustled out of the office before poor Mrs. Blythe saw the emotion brewing in Rose’s chest. She had a sinking feeling that the ball might be the last fun she ever had.
Honoria Blackwell would be happy. Rose would not.
Chapter Five
The first severaldays of Sebastian’s new position passed without incident. He found genuine satisfaction in impressing Amos Thorncroft with his knowledge of plants and flowers. Those brutal years with the Langstons had taught him something useful, at least.
On his third morning, he was tending to the roses in the garden’s most secluded corner, carefully applying his soap mixture to rid the bushes of aphids. The work was methodical, almost meditative. And such beauty everywhere he looked.
The rose garden was breathtaking. Climbing roses cascaded over wooden trellises in waterfalls of pink and white blooms. Beneath one particularly elaborate archway hung a wooden swing, its seat polished smooth by years of use. Sebastian could easily imagine Lady Eleanor Wentworth sitting there with a book, perhaps with her small daughter playing at her feet.
The thought brought an unexpected ache to his chest. That innocent child had become the young woman he’d met just days ago—the enemy’s daughter who looked at him with curious green eyes and spoke with genuine kindness to the servants.
“Good morning, Sebastian.”
He spun around, nearly dropping his brush. Lady Rose stood at the garden’s entrance, framed by climbing roses, her dark hair catching the morning sunlight like spun silk.
“Lady Rose.” He quickly removed his cap and bobbed his head. “I didn’t hear you approach.”
“I’m told my footsteps are too light. I’m always startling people.” She moved closer, her dress rustling softly. “How are the roses faring?”
“Much better, my lady. The aphids are retreating.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” She paused beside one of the larger bushes, inhaling deeply. “This garden was my mother’s pride. She and Mr. Thorncroft planted most of these roses together when she was first married.”
Sebastian kept his eyes carefully lowered, as Thorncroft had instructed, though he found it increasingly difficult with her standing so close. “Mr. Thorncroft mentioned that to me. Someone close to me once told me that the best one can hope for their life is to leave something beautiful behind.”
“That is a wonderful way to think about our legacy, isn’t it?” Rose’s voice grew wistful as she settled onto the swing. “Mummy named me after this garden, actually. Sometimes I come here to feel close to her.”
“Understandable, my lady.”
When he glanced up, she was gazing around the garden with such obvious love and longing that something twisted in his chest. This wasn’t the spoiled aristocrat he’d expected to find.
“I admit to being curious about you. Where were you before you joined our staff?” Rose smiled, and Sebastian felt his heart skip against his ribs. The expression transformed her entire face, making her eyes sparkle.
Sebastian’s pulse quickened, though whether from her smile or the danger of her questions, he couldn’t say. “I served in the military from the time I was of age.”
