Page 7 of A Lady to Reveal (Sherton Sisters 4)

Chapter Four

Gilbert could feel his limbs stiffening as they drove up the long, straight, intentionally intimidating, tree-lined lane toward the pile of stones that was his inheritance and legacy. Rathnelly. It was his title. It was his home. It was also his albatross. His feelings about the expansive property were varied and complicated, and he didn’t enjoy analyzing them in any sort of detail. But it was odd that it would be worse today. The young woman at his side could hardly be considered important in his life and yet somehow, he felt uncomfortably aware of her presence and desperately wanted to know what she thought of it. Perhaps, it was just because she was a female.

He should have thought of that before he had volunteered to collect her. It would have been much better for everyone if he had sent a footman. But he was so used to doing needed things himself that he hadn’t thought twice when the need arose.

The last female he had driven to this place had hated it on sight. It was one of the reasons he had no intention of remarrying.

The small catch he heard in this woman’s throat made him long to turn and look at her, to gauge her reaction. But a part of him didn’t want to know. Had the catch been one of awe, as still happened to him upon occasion, or one of disgust, as had happened with that last female? He couldn’t bring himself to find out.

And so he stiffened.

It was a good thing his horses were so well trained that they could pretty much drive themselves to the stables, as his stiff fingers and arms weren’t doing much in the way of guiding the large animals. It was particularly fortunate that this was only happening on the return home, as those same horses had been feisty and a bit quarrelsome when they had pulled out from the stable yard.

Gil knew he had his stable too well stocked, but it was his one extravagance. He had been so long with so little, he hadn’t thought indulging in too much horseflesh would harm anyone, but the animals told a different story. If they couldn’t all be exercised sufficiently then he was harming them. And that would never do. But the thought of selling them off also smacked of his childhood, and he repulsed at the idea. That had been another reason he had volunteered to collect the newly hired woman. And another reason why he was stiff with suppressed, complex feelings as they rolled up in front of his house.

He wondered briefly whether he ought to drop her off at the front door but didn’t falter in his driving. Even though she was gentry, she was now also in his employ. While he wouldn’t expect her to be as one of the servants, he also wouldn’t expect her to take offence at being expected to walk from the stables as he was going to do. And if she were going to take offence, now was the right time to get such nonsense out of the way.

In that moment, he realized he had hired the woman for a very awkward position. Gently born, but hired. So, not really of any class any longer. His heart panged for her for the briefest moment before he reminded himself that he really shouldn’t go reading himself into other people’s situations. Obviously, the woman needed employment or she wouldn’t have sought the position. And Adelina had assured him that a companion was exactly what she required. Gilbert refused to feel anything in particular on the subject.

He cleared his throat of the sudden restriction.

“You aren’t very chatty, are you?”

This brought her startled gaze to tangle with his, but she still didn’t speak.

“I do hope you’ll be able to converse comfortably with my daughter. As her companion, I will expect you to keep her company.”

Suddenly the young woman grinned, and he had to catch his breath at the transformation that overcame her. She was momentarily the most beautiful young woman he had every laid eyes upon. As quickly as it came, as though she had swallowed her amusement, the grin slipped from her face, but she nodded and launched into speech.

“For one thing, Your Grace, I am of the opinion that company can be companionable even while silent. But I am well aware of just how chatty nine-year-old girls can be. It wasn’t so very long ago that I was one myself. And I have several sisters. I’m quite certain I will be perfectly able to keep her ladyship company.”

Gil felt himself stiffen further. He didn’t have a response for the girl. But then, he reminded himself, he was the duke. He needn’t offer an answer if he didn’t wish. The thought filled him with wry amusement even as it caused him no end of tension. Finally, his highly bred horses had had enough and began to toss their heads to demonstrate their displeasure with his tight grip on the reins.

Relief threatened to swamp him when he realized they were in view of the stable yard. Concentrating on relaxing his fingers allowed Gilbert to release the reins and the horses did the rest, driving into the stable yard and coming to a stop in the usual spot. Stable hands came running, taking the heads of the horses, handing Miss Jones down from the carriage, and watching the duke to see if he had any instructions for them.

Gilbert nodded at them and set off toward the house at what he thought was a normal pace. The sound of a flurry of footsteps suddenly followed him.

“Your Grace! A moment, please, Your Grace.”

He stopped but didn’t turn toward her.

She was panting when she finally stopped beside him. Such a tiny little woman next to his great, hulking size. It was another point both in her favour and against her in his mind.

“Miss Jones?”

“I’m sorry to accost you, Your Grace, but I wasn’t certain if I should report to you or to the housekeeper about my duties and where I am to put my belongings and so on.”

Gil stared at her for a moment. He didn’t have a clear answer for her, but he knew who would.

“Mrs. Betts will see to you,” he said before striding away once more.

~~~

Felicity stared after him.

“Who is Mrs. Betts?” she whispered to his retreating back. Most likely the housekeeper, she told herself reassuringly. At the very least, one of the other servants would know who she was, Felicity supposed. Feeling flustered, she had to retrace her steps to see about her baggage. She wasn’t completely certain of the protocol surrounding a paid companion, but she was fairly certain the servants wouldn’t be as eager to serve her as they would be for an earl’s daughter.

“Don’t trouble yerself, Miss. We’ll see to yer bags. Everyone up at the House is that eager to see ye. Best get on up there, then.”

---