“We will feast,” Sanders said at once. “But my family is in Cheshire visiting my aunt and it will only be the two of us. A quiet repose that we are both looking forward to, in fact.”
“Then I shan’t burden you with an invitation,” Mr. Hart said with no ill-will. “I am to dine with Mr. Trainor and his family anyhow. I suppose it would be awfully rude to arrive with additional guests.”
“That name rings a bell,” Sanders said, standing over the vicar. Alverton waited patiently near the doorway, quite uncomfortable with the way their farewell had lengthened and stretched. “Do I know the man?”
“You share a property line so I would be very surprised if you do not.”
Sanders snapped his fingers. “Ah. The small house on the other side of Sanders Grove.”
Alverton perked up, his attention drawn into the conversation. Was that not where Lady Eve had gone after they met? Just to the other side of the grove?
“Wonderful family,” Mr. Hart continued. “You are fortunate to have them for neighbors.”
“That is good to learn,” Sanders said. They bid their farewells and the men left the vicarage, making their way onto the street to prepare to ride back to Sanders’ house.
Alverton sucked a breath in between his teeth and blew it out with force. “Strange visit,” he said.
“He is a good man,” Sanders replied, his tone edged in defense. “Unusual, perhaps, but good.”
“I am sure,” Alverton agreed, good naturedly. They untied their horses and mounted them smoothly.
“Though I had not expected such an interesting conversation. The last time I called we spoke of nothing but sermons and the Sabbath. Well, I’ve one more call to make,” Sanders said, “but if you’d like to avoid it, I understand. I must leave a card at the Hollingsfords, but I cannot know if they will be at home or otherwise detained.”
Alverton was familiar with this family and, in particular, their daughter. If he was presented with a choice to avoid a visit, he would undoubtedly take it.
His friend knew him well, however, and a knowing smile lit Sanders’ face. “You know the way home, I assume?”
Alverton nodded and the friends took off in separate directions. The country life was nothing if not gentle and relaxed, and it suited Alverton just fine. It was a good medium for determining what he should do to direct the course of his life when the holiday ended and he returned to London.
He felt as though he was stuck in an in-between. He knew he needed to wed, but there were no women who had appealed to him, short of Lady Eve. But he must remove her from his mind forthwith.
‘Twas easier said than done, however.
Turning the stallion onto the lane which led to Chesford Place, Alverton pulled the reins, halting the horse reflexively.
Lady Eve stood in the road just a stone’s throw ahead of himself and Alverton knew the moment her startled eyes reached his that he was at a metaphorical crossroads and the choice he made in that moment would affect him for long after. He could lift his hat and command the horse to walk on, or he could greet the lady.
And in that moment, he wished to speak with her.
Sliding down from his horse, Alverton took the steed by the reins and crossed the distance in a few long strides.
She looked lovely with her pink-tipped nose and rosy cheeks, her head bundled in a bonnet and a warm cape wrapped securely around her. A basket hung from one hand, showcasing leather-encased fingers and Alverton swallowed before bowing to her.
“Good day, my lady.”
Her curtsy was elegant and quick. Why was she walking on such a cold day? And where was her maid?
“Good day, your grace,” she replied. She glanced behind him to the road and swung her basket between both of her hands as though eager to continue on her way. Perhaps she felt uncomfortable now that Alverton knew of her engagement.
He could put her mind at rest, surely. “It is quite cold today.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “But exercise does much to warm one.”
He wanted to ball up his fist and hit the tree just to his right. The weather? What an idiotic thing to mention. Of course it was cold. Both of their breath was becoming visible before their very eyes, mingling and dissipating in soft clouds above their heads.
And yet, he could think of no comfortable way to bring up her engagement. To gather more information.
“I am eager to be on my way, your grace,” she said softly, dipping her head. “I am expected somewhere.”
“Might I escort you?”
She looked down to the basket in her hand and then met his gaze. “I am afraid you would find it a tedious errand, your grace. I am delivering food to a family which has taken ill.”
“Is that wise?” he asked.
She brought her head up, looking at him through slightly narrowed eyes. Was it confusion or annoyance which played on her face and formed small lines between her eyebrows? “They are mostly healed. I was informed that all of the fevers have broken. But the mother took ill and I am sure she is tired from caring for her children.”
“Charity,” Alverton replied with a curt nod. “How kind of you.”
Lady Eve’s cheeks darkened with a blush that made her all the more beautiful. “I am merely being a good neighbor.”
He wanted to argue but held back, instead reaching forward for her hand. “Allow me to escort you,” he said, surprising himself.
“But, your grace—”
“I cannot let you go alone now that I have crossed your path. So you will accept my help or leave me standing here uncomfortable and dissatisfied.”
She dipped her head, but not before he noticed her small smile. He waited patiently until she shifted her basket and placed a gloved hand within his own. Squeezing her fingers, he laid her hand upon his arm and gripped his horse’s reins in the other before turning the beast around and heading for town.
“I should carry that basket for you but then I would be unable to hold your arm,” he said. “I am not sure I’m willing to give up the pleasure quite yet, so I shall be forced to act the cad.”
“Are you always so flirtatious, your grace?”
“No,” he answered at once. “In fact, I usually do my utmost to avoid the act of flirtation in every sense of the word.”
“Then am I to be an exception?”
“It is apparent,” he said, casting her a look, “that you are quite the exception, indeed. Now tell me of this family we are to visit.”
“I should much prefer you remain hidden behind the brick wall before their house and allow me a minute to drop the basket in their kitchen. I will not be longer than a moment, I vow.”
“What sort of gentleman would I be if I agreed to such a scheme?”
Her words were soft and sincere when she answered. “You are a duke, your grace. You must.”
“And you are a lady,” Alverton countered. “What say you now?”
Chapter 7
Evelyn should have said it right then: but I am not a lady. She opened her mouth to deliver those very words but the duke’s kind, brown eyes peered down at her and she found she could not speak. Instead, she settled for changing the subject.
“Do you have plans for Christmas, your grace?”
“Yes,” he said proudly. “My friend and I shall eat a feast and not concern ourselves with pleasing anyone but ourselves.”
“That sounds like a holiday for bachelors.”
“Indeed. We planned it to be so.”
“But what of your mother? And your grandmother? I believe you were escaping them when we met, if I am not mistaken.”
“They remained in London and I shall see them again soon. My uncle and his family decided to come to London so I am sure my mother has much to concern herself with and hardly notices my absence.”
“Do you truly believe that?” Evelyn asked, lifting her face to watch the duke’s reactions.
His gaze flickered to her and then back to the lane they traveled. “No. She is likely fuming that I’ve misse
d a superb opportunity.”
Evelyn longed to inquire about the nature of the missed opportunity. She released Alverton’s arm long enough to move her basket to the other hand, stretching her fingers as they walked.
“Please, allow me to carry your basket.”
“It is not terribly heavy,” Evelyn replied. “But I find it easier to manage when I alternate arms.”
Alverton’s eyebrow lifted as he stopped in the center of the lane, holding his arm out and waiting. Evelyn handed over her load and the man regarded her with surprise. “This is quite heavy. You might have passed it to me sooner.”
“We are nearly there,” Evelyn responded, starting forward again.
Alverton caught up quickly, his long strides overpowering her quick ones. They reached a small cottage before long and Alverton tied his horse to a post before joining her near the door. Evelyn looked at Alverton, indicating the basket. He clutched it firmly to himself and she shook her head softly, chuckling, before turning to knock on the door.
A small, dirty child opened the door, turning large, shy eyes past Evelyn and onto the duke. Evelyn crouched down to the level of the girl and said, “Is your mother home? We have something we would like to leave for her.”
The child nodded, casting one last awed look at the duke before turning to lead them into the house. Evelyn followed, but Alverton hesitated at the threshold. She caught his gaze and sought to shoot him a look which told him that they would be in and out quickly, but he did not seem to be put at ease.
It struck her in that moment that any of these people could call her by her real name. Pausing, she knew a moment’s panic before allowing her eyes to drift closed and inhaling a sustaining breath. At this point, there was nothing she could do about it. She must simply move forward and hope the occupants within the home did not.
“Mrs. Taylor,” Evelyn said, stepping into the small, dark kitchen. “How are you feeling? I’ve brought you some hot soup and bread. And Cook has prepared some meat pies and apple pasties for the children, when they are up for it.”
Mrs. Taylor sat in a wooden rocking chair with a baby in her arms. Her face was pale and her eyes sullen—residual effects of the fever, no doubt—but she seemed to pale even further when Alverton stepped into the room.
His bearing and clothing were indicative of his rank. And while it was not overly apparent that he was a duke upon first sight, it was undoubtedly quite distressing to poor Mrs. Taylor to receive such a distinguished gentleman in her kitchen. Particularly when she was feeling so poorly.
Evelyn struggled to know whether or not to introduce Alverton, for she feared that the discovery of his rank would only cause Mrs. Taylor further anxiety.
A man stepped from the bedroom door behind Mrs. Taylor, closing it softly behind himself and saying, “They are both on the mend, Mrs. Taylor. I believe you have nothing to fear.”
His voice was familiar, but it was not until he glanced up and caught Evelyn’s eye that she recognized him. “Dr. Cooper, how good to see you, sir.”
His face broke into an endearing smile, his eyes crinkling around the edges. He opened his mouth to respond when Alverton called out, “Well met, Dr. Cooper. You do keep busy, don’t you?”
All eyes in the room turned to the duke, but he did not seem inclined to notice.
“I like to keep tabs on those who are under my care, your grace,” he explained, bowing.
The room came to a still as the ducal form of address settled upon the occupants’ ears and Mrs. Taylor’s face turned ashen. While some might have thought it an express privilege, this woman was clearly distressed. Evelyn knew at once that the best thing she could do for the woman’s health was to remove the duke from her kitchen forthwith. Dr. Cooper seemed to come to the same conclusion and their eyes caught, which pushed them into simultaneous action.
Taking the basket from Alverton, Evelyn set it on the table. “I am afraid we must be off, Mrs. Taylor, but I am so glad to hear you are doing better. Please keep the basket. I hope the pasties are to your liking.” She offered the woman a smile. “And there is a special treat for the children for Christmas,” she added, thinking of the round, juicy oranges she tucked in the bottom.
Evelyn turned around and ushered Alverton toward the door, allowing him hardly enough time to dip his head in acknowledgement before she got him outside. She could hear Dr. Cooper speaking inside the house, though his voice was muffled through the door.
“I had not expected…” Alverton began. He turned away and scrubbed a hand over his face, breathing a sigh. Evelyn longed to hear his thoughts but waited patiently for him to collect them.
The door creaked open behind them and they turned in unison to find the same small, dirty child standing in the doorway, her solemn face peeking up at the adults with shy reserve from behind stringy, brown hair.
“Good day, Mary,” Evelyn said, leaning down and resting her hands upon her bent knees. “Did you wish to come and meet my friend?”
The little girl nodded, stepping from the house and closing the door behind her. Evelyn reached forward and Mary slipped her tiny hand in Evelyn’s, looking up at the duke under her lashes like a smitten debutante.
Evelyn looked to Alverton for approval and found his serious gaze resting on her. He watched her intently and her nerves rose accordingly. “Mary,” she said, focusing her attention on the child, “do you know what a duke is?”
“A very important man?” Mary asked, her petite nose scrunching up.
A small smile lit Evelyn’s lips and she nodded, reaching forward to tuck Mary’s hair behind her ear. “Yes.”
Mary leaned closer to Evelyn. Her gaze did not leave Alverton as she whispered, “Is he a duke?”
Evelyn nodded, and Mary’s eyes widened. Hazarding a glance at Alverton, Evelyn was pleased to find a comfortable smile resting on his face as well.
“When you address a duke, Mary, you call him ‘your grace.’ Would you like to greet the duke?”
Mary nodded, looking up into Alverton’s face with equal parts fear and excitement in her eyes. Evelyn could not help but smile at him over the theatrics of the situation and found him looking down at her again with a curious glint in his eye. His dark eyebrows were drawn together, and he watched her closely, causing prickles to run down the skin of her spine.
Clearing her throat delicately, Evelyn turned back to Mary and whispered, “You may tell him ‘good day, your grace.’” Straightening herself, Evelyn stood. “Your grace, allow me to introduce Miss Taylor.”
He dipped his head, bowing to the young girl. “Good day, Miss Taylor.”
Mary smiled bashfully before dipping her head in response and saying, “Good day, my grace.”
Evelyn turned to catch Alverton’s amused eye and decided at once not to correct Mary. Turning her small face into Evelyn’s leg, Mary giggled and then ran back into the house, nearly knocking Dr. Cooper over on his way outside.
He lifted his hat to Mary as she passed, but she did not seem to notice the doctor in her flurry of motion and the door closed quickly behind his back.
“Well,” Dr. Cooper said, his eyebrows raised, “she has certainly overcome her illness, has she not?”
“That appears to be a safe assessment,” Alverton agreed.
“A sweet girl,” Evelyn said, turning to Dr. Cooper. “And the other children will recover quickly?”
“In time for Twelfth Day, if not Christmas.”
“Christmas is tomorrow, sir,” Evelyn reminded him.
He nodded. “And I believe we are dining at your house if I remember correctly. I feel as though I am constantly coming and going, so you must forgive my inattention. It would do me well to better know my own social calendar, but I am often concerned with other, equally important matters.” He dipped his head toward the Taylor’s rundown house. “But I am so pleased you have returned, for Julia’s sake.”
“You did not forget our dinner, sir, so I believe I must count myself fortunate.”
Dr
. Cooper smiled warmly. “I could never forget a social engagement with you, my dear.”
Alverton cleared his throat and Evelyn turned to find him watching them closely, a grim set to his mouth.
“Forgive me, your grace,” Evelyn said. “Have you met Dr. Cooper?”
“Yes,” Alverton replied briskly, turning his attention to the doctor. “I had that pleasure just this morning.”
“One would expect a town this small to be uneventful in regard to their medical needs. But no,” he said in a self-deprecating manner, “the need for my assistance does not seem to wear down.”
“We must count ourselves fortunate that you’ve chosen to stay then,” Evelyn said. Dr. Cooper opened his mouth to respond, but then his gaze flicked toward the duke and he shut it again. Instead, he made a grunt of agreement and nodded accordingly.
“I must be off,” Dr. Cooper said, running a hand over his hair and then replacing his hat. His sand-colored hair was cropped shorter than usual, but it made him look more distinguished. He’d always been a pleasant man, but now he looked handsome.
“Please give my regard to Julia,” she said. “I look forward to seeing you both tomorrow.”
Dr. Cooper reached forward and grasped Evelyn’s hand. Bringing it to his lips, he bestowed a feather-light kiss on the top of her knuckles and said, “As do I.”
Evelyn did not know what to think about the exchange. She brought her hands together, rubbing the area where Dr. Cooper—Jared, of all people—had kissed her hand with intent. But…intent for what, exactly?
“Friendly chap,” Alverton said under his breath after Dr. Cooper had walked away.
Turning toward the horse Alverton had tied up, Evelyn waited for the duke to retrieve the reins and begin walking. “Yes, well, I’ve known the Coopers all my life.”
The fact hardly explained Dr. Cooper’s familiarity. Evelyn wanted to shake out her hands and remove from them the feeling of his lips. The spot continued to tingle, but she did not want Alverton to know that it bothered her. Instead, she clasped her hands behind her back and asked, “Have you regretted leaving London now that Christmas is only tomorrow? You shall miss spending it with your family.”
A Duke For Lady Eve (Belles 0f Christmas Book 5) Page 6