Page 77 of A Duke to Save Her

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“I’ve summoned a horse trap from the village this morning,” he said, as the family sat over breakfast in the farmhouse kitchen.

Eloise looked at him curiously. He had not mentioned anything about their going out that day, and she had intended to help Alice with clothes for Annabelle and Samuel to wear for the wedding.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“You’ll see.” He tapped her nose and winked at her.

Eloise’s father was playing with Annabelle and Samuel on the rug by the hearth. The three had become the best of friends, and the news of the Viscount’s move to Draycott had been met with excitement all around. He looked up at Eloise and smiled.

“I think you’ll like Jackson’s surprise,” he said.

“Am I the only one not to know this happy news?” Eloise demanded, glancing at Alice and Delphine, both of whom exchanged glances.

“You’ll see soon enough,” Jackson replied, rising to his feet and beckoning for Eloise to follow.

A horse trap stood in the farmyard, and Jackson helped Eloise onto the back, apologizing for the simplicity of their transport.

“I don’t need a carriage. We’re in the countryside. We’ll have to get used to…” she trailed off, and now she wondered if where they were going was where she had imagined herself being taken in the previous few days.

She looked at him and he grinned.

“I think you’ll like this,” he said, climbing in next to her.

They set off out of the farmyard and down the lane that was lined with poplar trees, turning right at the end, instead of left for the village. The lane followed a course through a deep hollow, where the trees arched over in a canopy much like that of the path near the folly. It swung around by a brook, crossing the water by a low bridge, and rising up to reveal a vista of a vale where a beautiful house stood on its grounds, surrounded by trees.

“Is that…?” she asked, hardly daring to believe it, and Jackson nodded.

“Wiscombe Manor. I didn’t want to live at Loxbury Abbey. It’s my family seat, but I wanted a fresh start for us both, and I’ve taken the house here on a permanent lease. The current occupants were only too glad to be rid of it. It’s ours,” he said, as the trap drove through a set of open gates and along a sweeping drive leading to the house.

Eloise could hardly believe it. She and Jackson had talked of it, but it had all seemed like a dream, even as the horse trap pulled up outside the house. It was a fine, red brick building, covered in ivy and wisteria. It was not a large house, but a handsome one, with stables and outhouses next to a walled garden, and terraces planted with box. It was an idyll, one which Eloise had already fallen in love with.

“And it’s to be ours? A place for us both to live?” she exclaimed, and Jackson nodded.

“It’s all ours. And furnished, too. We can move in immediately. There’s a small staff, and you’ll have Delphine, too. I’m sure she’ll be just as delighted.”

Eloise gazed around her, taking in her surroundings and marveling at all they had to look forward to together. The door now opened, and a woman appeared, dressed in a neat white dress and petticoat. She introduced herself as Mrs. Byers, the housekeeper.

“And I hope you’ll both be very happy here,” she said, as she led them inside.

The hallway was bright and airy, with portraits lining the walls, and the morning sun flooding through two large windows on the stairs above. A footman stood waiting to greet them, and Eloise looked around her and smiled, imagining her and Jackson living there together.

“We’ll be the happiest of people, Mrs. Byers, I just know we will.” She giggled, slipping her hand into Jackson’s.

The housekeeper conducted them on a tour of the house, showing them into the drawing room, morning room and dining room, each of which was beautifully furnished and ready to inhabit. There was a small library and a study, along with a music room containing a pianoforte that looked out over the gardens.

“We’ll find plenty to keep us amused day by day,” Jackson said, as Eloise sat down at the pianoforte and played a few notes.

“It’s so long since I took pleasure in an instrument. It’s wonderful.” She looked up at Jackson and smiled.

The rest of the house was equally delightful, and there was no doubt in Eloise’s mind this was where she wanted to live after they were married.

“We’re all looking forward to the wedding, My Lady,” Mrs. Byers enthused, as they returned to the hallway.

“And so are we. I’m so glad we’re holding it here in Draycott. The rector was very accommodating given we don’t yet live here. The bishop had to give permission. Anyway, it’s all sorted now. We’ll be married on Monday, and it’s to Wiscombe Manor we’ll come after that happy event,” Jackson said.

The horse trap was waiting for them, but Jackson suggested they walk back to the farm across the estate, taking the path that would lead them past the folly. It was a beautiful day, though the chill of autumn was in the air, and it would not be long before winter’s bite was felt. Arm in arm, they walked through the gardens and up through the woods, passing another folly that was built to resemble a fairytale turret.

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