Caroline shook her head. “No. He once told me that he did not trust anyone with his books. He said that if he did not take care of them himself, anyone could cheat him out of every farthing and he would not know the difference.” She sighed. “Should I hire a tutor in such matters? Or would it be better if I simply handed it all over to an accountant or some other person who deals in such matters?”
“I do not believe I am the one to advise you in such matters,” he said in a low voice. “I am merely a simple gardener, and there are those who are far better suited.”
Caroline sighed. “This might be true, and yet I trust no one here, save Quinton. And you.” She gave him a beseeching look. “It was you who risked everything to give me water when you were told explicitly not to do so, and I have not forgotten that kind gesture. So, now I must ask you again, what shall I do?”
Philip seemed to study the brandy, which he had yet to drink. It took him several moments before he spoke, and Caroline worried he would not respond at all.
“If you would allow me to look at your ledgers, I can advise you.”
Caroline’s eyes widened. This was not what she had expected. What she had expected was that he would suggest a bookkeeper or other person practiced in that area. Had he not just said he was only a simple gardener? However, what other choice did she have?
She walked over to a small desk in the corner and retrieved a stack of papers. “The solicitors gave me this,” she said as she handed them to Philip. “The ledgers on the shelf contain more information.”
Philip set his glass on a side table and came to stand beside her. It was strange, but his nearness made her knees weak. Or was it that midday meal again? She once again felt a burning feeling throughout her body, but she knew it was not a fever. Strange.
“May I look over the papers?” he asked.
She looked down and realized that she still held what she had been given by the solicitors. With a nod of her head, she handed him the information and then hurried back over to the seating area. Pouring herself a cup of tea, she drank the entire glass to quench her parched throat. As she had suspected, it was cold.
Philip moved his hair back over an ear and studied the paperwork, his lips moving slightly as he read in a most endearing manner. How handsome he looked standing there by the desk, as if he belonged there.
Caroline was unsure as to what she should do while she waited. Oliver was busy with his studies, and she thought it best to remain here watching over Philip. It would never do to leave the gardener alone in the sitting room, would it? It had nothing to do with her wanting to watch him. At least that is what she told herself as she took a drink of the brandy she had not even noticed that she had picked up off the table.
***
Caroline had not considered herself one for enjoying the drinking of spirits; however, she found herself enjoying it as she watched Philip. He had finally sat in the chair in front of the desk after pulling first one ledger and then another from the shelf and reading through them as if reading a book. The way he studied the pages as he turned them was somehow…alluring.
She giggled as she looked down at her glass, the third thus far, much to her surprise. It was time to stop, for she would make a fool of herself as well as embarrass the poor man.
“The books have been well-kept,” he said finally. “All his affairs seem to be in order. You have properties in town as well as in London and Bath. Most of the fortune was made in those properties; although it seems that shipping has been the main focus as of late.”
She had known about the properties in town, as well as London. “Bath? I did not realize he had property in Bath.” She rose and stood to gaze down at the page full of numbers, none of it making sense to her.
Philip nodded. “It appears he has property with several cottages on a large plot of land there. The tenants all pay their rents on time, and it brings in a nice sum.”
“Please, go on.”
“Well, with the income from the real estate alone, you and Oliver will never have to worry about anything. As I said, there are the rents in Bath, but most of the properties in London are storefronts, which bring in an even larger sum of money.” He closed the ledger in front of him. “You have enough money coming in to not only maintain this home, but it will also afford to buy any luxury you desire. Taking into account the money and his business ventures in shipping, Oliver’s grandchildren should never want for anything. If it is managed properly, of course.”
Caroline let out a relieved sigh and placed her hand on Philip’s arm, surprised at the muscles beneath the sleeves of his shirt. He gave a slight tremor, as if her touch pained him, and she withdrew her hand. What had she been thinking, putting her hands on the man?
“You have explained what I could not understand,” she said. Then a new thought came to her. “How is it that you speak so eloquently and are so educated?”
“For a gardener, you mean?”
Her cheeks burned. “Yes,” she whispered, embarrassed that she would have been so rude.
He chuckled, seeming to not be offended by her words. “Like you, I was fortunate enough to have things taught to me.”
She could not help but be curious about his past. However, that would come later, if at all. He was her gardener, after all, not a man she should be asking intimate questions about his life. “Do you suggest I find someone to manage the estate for me?”
He leaned back in the chair and pulled his hair back over his ear once again, silent for a moment. Then he said, “There are those in town who are of good repute. There is the Baily family. My advice would be to allow Marcus Baily to manage your holdings. Not that I believe you could not do it yourself if given proper instruction; however, for their cost versus the time it would allow you to spend time with your son and attend to your duties as the Dowager Duchess, it would be a wise decision.”
Caroline smiled. “You save me from thirst, protect me from those who seek to use me for their own gain, and guide me in business. I have promised to repay you three times, and yet you still ask for nothing in return?”
He rose from the chair, their bodies less than a hands-width apart. As he looked down on her, she thought her knees would buckle beneath her.
“I do not seek any payment,” he said quietly. “I only ask that you allow me to remain here working on your grounds. I need nothing more.”
Caroline stared up at him, and that feeling of freedom returned. She was now free to make her own decisions. She knew nothing of the world, yet this man did. He was kind and generous with his knowledge, and although she could not explain the reason, behind those soft, blue eyes she could see he would never hurt or use her in any way.
“I cannot have you as my gardener anymore,” she whispered. “I need you as my protector. Someone who can escort me into town, to keep me safe from men who seek my hand only as a means to reach my son’s wealth. And to advise me when I need strength. Will you do this for me?”
He rubbed his chin and seemed to consider her offer. “There are those who would be far more suitable for such a position,” he said finally. “It would be wise to choose someone other than your gardener.”
She smiled as she returned her hand to his arm. This time the trembling was not there. “It is because of that advice that I want you,” she said. She knew her cheeks had to be bright red, for her face was aflame. “Will you accept?”
He was silent for a moment before replying, and she found herself holding her breath. Was she doing the right thing in asking a man of his standing to advise her? What did a gardener know, truly, of running an estate the size of Blackwood Estates? However, deep in her heart, she knew he was the right man.
“I accept,” he finally whispered, and Caroline reveled in his words, knowing she had, indeed, made the right decision.
Chapter Six
Life was strange, or so thought Philip as he walked along the garden path. He had risen two hours earlier, and although he was no longer the gardener for the estate, h
e could not stop himself from being out among the flowers and trees that had become his life for so long. How strange that he had come to find employment here at Blackwood Estates with thoughts of completing a single task. Yet, that plan was jeopardized when he accepted the request Caroline had made the night before. It was not that he did not wish to come to the woman’s aid, for she clearly needed guidance. However, he was not the man to help her, as he had mentioned to her before.
He sighed. In all honesty, it was more than that; it was because he had grown especially fond of the woman. Unsure when it had happened, for he had not recognized it for what it was until it was much too late, he tried to suppress those old feelings he had long since buried, and he did not have it in him to experience them anytime soon. Not for his sake, but for hers.
To fall in love again would be more than a bit inconvenient, and he did not wish to give Caroline the wrong impression. She had no love for her husband, and he knew she would seek it, even if she could not see it as so. It was in her eyes, clouded with torment, that she was in need of a healing touch. How he wished to be the one to ease that pain, to remove her hurts and in the process removing his own. He possessed an agony so great, a loss so deep, that it was not a journey he wished to take again. For at the end of his current journey, only more pain awaited him. And if he grew close to her, she would learn of what he had done, would learn about his past, and he could not allow that life to touch her.
Timid footsteps approached from behind, and he smiled. “Your steps are loud,” he said without turning. Caroline laughed, and he cursed himself inwardly for enjoying it.
“How is it you have the hearing of a fox?” she asked. “Tell me, were you raised in the forest?” She came to stand beside him.
He looked over and soaked in her beauty. The yellow dress set off her blond tresses, and the tiny brown flowers matched her eyes. He could look at her for hours if he was given the chance to do so.
“The secret is out, then,” he said, keeping a serious expression on his face. “I was raised in a forest by a band of hermits led by a fox.”
The tinkling laugh almost made him break into a smile. “Oh, Philip, you are so silly.”
He glanced at her, maintaining the solemn appearance, and she took a step back.
“Were you really raised by them?” she asked in shock.
“Indeed. For years, I was forced to hunt wild game at night with my bare hands.” He raised his hands toward her as if they were claws. “During the day, I read books.”
Her eyes widened, and he had to fight back another laugh.
“Then, when women such as yourself came along in the woods…”
“Yes?” she whispered, her expectation clear.
“I would bark like a dog at them.”
This made them both laugh, and she playfully slapped at his arm again. “You almost had me convinced; although, I do not see you as that wild man you tried to portray. No, you are far better than that, far more domesticated.”
He gave her a smile. To know that such a creature as the one who stood before him thought of him as something better than he appeared was a great compliment.
“I know very little about you,” she continued. “You are a man of few words, and I cannot have you guarding me without knowing something about you.”
Worry washed over him, for he had no desire to speak of his past, and the thought of lying to this woman made him uncomfortable.
She did not seem to notice his discomfort, however. “Therefore, you will accompany me into town today. While I am speaking to Mr. Baxter about business, I would like you to see to having new clothes ordered.”
“Caroline,” he said, raising his hand. “You are kind, but I cannot accept such a gift.”
“You would defy your Duchess?” she demanded in a haughty tone.
He chuckled. “You know I would not do such a thing.”
“Good. You will purchase one set of ready-made clothing so you can dine with Oliver and me as our honored guest this evening. I would also like you to see the tailor and have at least three suits made. It would not do to have you wearing the same clothing you wore as a gardener now that you have been promoted to a new position.”
Nothing could have stopped the smile that spread across his face. However, it was not for receiving new clothing.
“And at what do you smile?” she asked.
“You,” came his reply. “It is nice to see you smile again. I feared it would be something I would never see.”
She sighed. “I must admit, I feared very much the same for a very long time.”
***
Oliver had remained at home to complete his lessons for the day as Philip and Caroline rode into town an hour earlier. Philip had already purchased clothing for dinner as Caroline had requested, and an order had been taken by the tailor after one of the man’s helpers gathered Philip’s measurements. It was strange to have such attention paid to him, and he was glad to now be on his way to meet Caroline outside of Baxter and Sons.
As he neared the offices, he smiled when the Dowager Duchess exited the building, the sun catching the highlights in the wisps of hair that peeked out from her bonnet. He could not believe what a beautiful creature she was—and how fortunate he was to be in her company. Granted, it was as her employee, but that was enough for him.
“How did it go?” he asked when he came to stand beside her.
She smiled. “Extremely well. I have hired the company to attend to all of the business matters. Mr. Baxter, the father that is, was such a kind man.” She tilted her head at him. “However, when I spoke of you, he did not seem to recognize your name.”
Philip laughed. “Are you surprised he did not know the name of your gardener?” he asked with amusement. “The fact of the matter is, previous employers have spoken of him; that is how I knew to come to him.”
“I see,” Caroline said with a nod. Then she sighed heavily. “Oh, bother. These two women coming toward us are nothing but a couple of gossips. I do not wish to speak to them.”
Philip grinned as he watched the women approach. Blond curls lined both of their youthful faces, and Philip could just make out one set of blue eyes and one set of brown beneath the shade of the hats they wore.
The two women stopped in front of Caroline, and the first, whose blue dress matched her eyes perfectly, said, “Oh, Your Grace, we were so sorry to hear of the death of your husband.” She spoke with exaggerated concern and brought her hand to her breast dramatically.
Philip could see that what Caroline had said was true; the moment these women left her presence, anything she said would be spread far and wide.
“Such pain you must be suffering,” the second said with much solicitude as she spoke over her friend, her green dress dotted with tiny white daisies swishing around her feet. “Surely you will be wanting to host a party to express your heartbreak.”
Caroline replied with a small nod.
Philip cleared his throat, and both women gave an intake of breath as they turned to look at him. “Ladies,” he said with a small bow, “my name is Philip Butler, and I am Her Grace’s protector.”
The woman in the blue dress leaned in toward her companion and whispered, “I did not know she had a protector,” she said, as if she did not realize he could hear what she was saying. Then to Philip she said, “I am Miss Barnsworthy. This is my friend, Miss Cuplin, and we have been acquainted with the Dutchess for some years now.”
Philip stifled a chuckle. “Be that as it may, Her Grace has been distraught, and rightly so.”
Both women nodded. “But of course she would be,” Miss Cuplin replied. “She has lost her husband. Any woman would be distraught if she were in her position.”
“I am glad you understand,” Philip replied. “In her current state, she would like me to pass on something to those such as yourselves.”
“Of course,” Miss Barnsworthy said. “Anything that can help ease her pain.”
Philip gave them a smile. “To quot
e her exact words: ‘Due to the untimely death of His Grace, the Duke of Browning, and my husband, I have decided to take on a vow of silence for the next few months. Please do not count my lack of words or rejections of any events as rude but rather as a time for me to attempt to heal the wounds in my heart as well as in that of our son, Oliver.’” He bowed deeper when he finished.
Miss Cuplin pulled a kerchief from a cuff and dabbed at her eye. “That is the most beautiful gesture,” she said. “May we pass on this knowledge to others?”
“That would please Her Grace and, of course, find you in her favor.”
Both women grinned like schoolgirls who had received top marks.
“Now, if you will excuse us, we must be on our way.” He gave the women one more bow before offering Caroline his arm. She placed her hand on it and the two walked away, the admiration of the women clear in the reflection of a nearby window.
“I believe six months is an adequate amount of time to keep you free from the prying interests of women and the hands of men who seek yours only for their gain.” He laughed. “I hope you do not mind.”
“Philip Butler,” she said with a wide grin, “of course, I do not mind!” They approached the waiting carriage, and Philip opened the door. Before stepping up, Caroline shared another of her wonderful smiles with him. “You amaze me every day. I consider myself lucky to have a friend such as yourself.”
Although he wished to tell her the same, he knew he could not. “I am glad to be of service,” he said instead and then helped her into the carriage.
Perhaps one day he would be able to share with her what was on his heart, but for now, it was enough to simply be in her presence.
***
The smell of roast lamb in wine sauce made Philip’s stomach grumble. He would have found it less embarrassing if Oliver had not giggled at him, clearly having heard it and finding it amusing as oftentimes young boys did. Caroline did not seem to notice, however, much to Philip’s relief. The candles lit her face, and she smiled widely as she lifted her wine glass to him.
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