Page 53 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
Edith had never heard him speak like that before.
“The thunder…” Tilly whimpered, crawling toward him and burying her face in his waistcoat.
“Is far away. The walls of the house will keep you safe, I swear it,” Laurence soothed.
Another thunderclap rang out, and Tilly grabbed Laurence’s hand. Rather than pushing her away like Edith expected, he let her come to him.
“I know you’re a big, brave girl, Tilly,” he murmured. “And I know these storms are scary. Do you think you can come out all the way so Her Grace and I can make it less scary for you?”
Tilly hesitated and retreated slightly, pressing herself into the shadows under the bed. Edith held her breath.
“Come on, little one,” Laurence coaxed. “It’s… It’s all right.”
The child shuffled forward slowly, her tiny fingers clutching at the edge of the bed. When she finally crawled into his arms, Laurence stiffened for a moment, unused to holding anyone so close. He shifted awkwardly, as if unsure what to do, then gently rested a hand on her back.
Edith watched as a faint smile formed on his lips, his hand stroking Tilly’s hair with hesitant care. The warmth in his eyes was fragile and new, but unmistakable.
Her heart swelled. The Duke, so composed and commanding in public, was clumsy and tender in private, trying his best to comfort a frightened little girl.
“Would you like to stay here?” he asked Tilly gently.
She nodded eagerly.
He held her in his arms and stood up, placing her on the bed. Edith chose that moment to walk in.
Tilly looked up, still sniffling.
“You gave me quite the scare, Tilly,” Edith said gently, stroking the girl’s hair. “I was so worried about you.”
“I-I’m s-s-sorry,” Tilly stammered.
Laurence stood to take his leave, but Tilly grabbed the hem of his shirt. Edith watched, confused, and looked at Laurence, who looked the same.
“C-Can you stay? Can you r-r-read to me? Please?” Tilly whimpered.
Laurence looked at Edith, who hesitated and then nodded. “Her books are on the desk.”
Laurence looked at the selection and chose one, then returned to the bed and sat next to Tilly, who was now clinging to Edith.
“Once upon a time…” Laurence started, his voice calm and low.
As he spoke, Tilly’s little shoulders relaxed. Soon, she was fighting to keep her eyes open and slowly slumped into Edith’s lap. Laurence noticed and smiled before closing the book and helping Edith gently tuck her in.
Edith stood, looking down at Tilly and then at Laurence. She had never expected to see this soft side of him.
Suddenly, her stomach growled, and she felt her cheeks flush.
“Have you eaten anything today?”
“I have been quite occupied with charity correspondence, Tilly, and the household, so I may have forgotten to eat,” she admitted.
Laurence frowned at her answer.
“Come. Let us eat,” he sighed, walking to the door that connected their rooms.
“I… I don’t want to leave Tilly.”
“If she wakes, we will hear her,” he whispered.
