At his moan, Emma giggled then climbed down from the cart. She peered up and down the street as Simon came up beside her. Emma watched as a familiar, smiling, freckle-faced boy raced up to her.
Emma glanced over to Simon. “That’s Jimmy.”
“Introduce him to me as Simon. I don’t wish to frighten the lad.”
She understood and gave him a head bob.
“Afternoon, m’ lady.”
"And to you, son. This is Simon. He’s visiting for a few days.”
“Sir,” Jimmy acknowledged him with a slight bow.
“Young man,” Simon said.
“Jimmy, as I’ve a little shopping to do would you mind holding Daisy?”
“Not at all.”
“Thank you. When I come back I’ll give you a copper for your efforts.” She turned back to Simon and smiled. “I should be no more than an hour.”
As Emma calmly made her way to her destination, she nodded to several people then heard the clopping of boots on the wooden walkway. She smiled to herself, knowing Simon had finally decided to do what was required of him.
At the door to the dress shop she glanced over her shoulder, gave him a nod, stepped in, and closed it on him. Through the glass, she saw he wasn’t pleased, but right now she was in no mood to deal with him and his high-handed behavior.
From behind she heard someone approaching. Turning, Emma greeted the woman with a warm smile as she did love the few gowns which the dressmaker had created.
“M’ lady, it’s always a pleasure to have you visit my humble establishment. How may I be of assistance?”
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Wallace. It would seem I’m in need of a riding habit. If you are not aware the duke has returned and insists on teaching me to sit on a horse.”
“M’ lady, as I have your measurements, I believe there’s one already available for you. The lady I made it for is increasing so she doesn’t wish to ride until after the babe is born. Granted, I will need to make a few alterations around the bosom, but other than that it should be a perfect fit for you,” Mrs. Wallace explained.
“Then, I’d love to try it on.”
“Follow me, m’ lady, and we’ll get you out of that dress and into the habit. I also believe you will love the color. It’s a light blue that will go perfectly with your eyes.”
Emma followed Mrs. Wallace around several tables that were covered in different materials. The variety of colors grabbed Emma’s attention, and she stopped to peruse the assortment. Mrs. Wallace cleared her throat, and Emma looked up to find the woman at the rear of the shop.
“Sorry.” Emma hurried to join Mrs. Wallace.
She was anxious to pick out something special, unlike the habits she’d left behind. She wanted the bodice more revealing to keep one impossible man’s eyes focused on her and not her ability to ride. If that happened, she might even out-ride him.
A few minutes later she was out of her simple day gown. Emma slipped the skirt on. A perfect fit! Next came the jacket, which she’d wear over a new chemise as none of hers would do.
“Mrs. Wallace, is it possible to have the cut of the neckline made a little lower without being overly revealing?”
“Of course, m’ lady. Something like this?”
Emma waited while the seamstress traced a line over her breasts to give her an idea how it would be restyled.
“Yes, that’s ideal. How soon do you believe it will be ready?”
“If you wish I can have it for you later this afternoon.”
“That will be perfect, but would you mind having it sent to the palace? His Grace and I are on our way to the gristmill. He wants to see the suggested changes Her Grace has recommended.”
“It will be my pleasure to have it delivered. Who do I send the bill to?”
“To me, of course.”
“Certainly, m’ lady.”
“While I’m here, what other colors are available? His Grace has informed me to have two made.”
Fifteen minutes later, a second riding habit decided upon, and the duke to be charged for this one, Emma stepped out onto the street. Looking where she’d left Daisy, she was surprised Simon wasn’t waiting for her.
Emma started for the cart when she heard footsteps approaching from behind. She wondered if it was Simon and he’d been cooling his heels someplace nearby or had only now finished with the tailor. Out of politeness, as he was the duke, she slowed, allowing him to come up beside her.
“M’ lady, how was your visit to the dressmaker?”
“Quite well. I should have several in a few days, but will need to return on the morrow for a fitting. I apologize if it’s inconvenient for you as I know you wish to start instructing me in the finer points of riding.”
“I don’t believe the delay will be a problem as it will give me time to inspect some of the different farms on the estate.”
Emma breathed a silent sigh of relief on hearing she could practice when he wasn’t around. From her frequent visits to the stables, she’d already selected an adorable mare—Marigold. From what Richmond had told her the horse had a sweet disposition, smooth gaits, and a very soft mouth.
“You know about my visit to the dressmaker, so how was yours to the tailor? Productive, I pray?”
“Very well. It turned out Edmond, my valet until Harold arrives, found a jacket, which only needed a little alteration. I tried it on, and when we come back through it will be ready so my mother will be pleased.”
“Shall we return to the cart and be off as it’s about thirty minutes to the mill?” Emma said.
“Yes.”
When they arrived Emma dug out a copper from her reticule and handed it to Jimmy.
“We’ll be back in about an hour or so. If you were to stay close there might be another coin for you,” she told the little boy.
“Also, a sweet bun,” Simon added.
“Oh yes, yes, sir and m’ lady. I shan’t stray far from here,” the boy eagerly replied.
Tussling Jimmy’s blond hair, Emma then stepped up to the cart and, reversing the process of earlier, used the walkway to climb up. Cocking her head toward Simon, she noticed a sad look in his eyes.
“Is there a problem?”
“Um, ah, no, m’ lady.”
She found his answer interesting, but not true. There had to be something bothering him but decided not to pursue it at this time. She did believe she knew what it was though. As Emma enjoyed his hands around her waist, she suspected he found pleasure in the touch also. At the mill she’d have to make sure the cart was parked someplace so he could assist her in and out. Emma waited until he was settled beside her then flicked her wrists sending Daisy the command to walk out.
At the turn to the mill she was happy he’d chosen the dogcart, since it was smaller and could handle the narrow path easily. Granted there was another wider road, but it wouldn’t have taken them through the village. Also, with this wagon, Emma was able to show him her independence, thus he wasn’t needed when she made tenant calls.
“Look there, Simon. Do you see the depression in the land?” She moved her finger through the air. “That is part of the old stream bed Laura and I were talking about. It runs from the lake, which feeds the one being used, all the way to the ocean. How and why it dried up, from what I have learned, no one knows. I suspect it’s because years ago one of the previous dukes decided it wasn’t needed.”
“Then that’s one of the things we need to find out. My ancestors kept records of everything. We’ll just have to find which journal it’s in, and that might take a while.”
As they got closer, Emma spotted the miller carrying a bag of grain in from a wagon.
“That’s James. He operates the mill and has been married for eight years. His wife’s name is Mary, and they have a son, Jimmy, who you met in town. James took over from his father when he got too old,” she briefly explained.
“Jimmy? Then why isn’t he here to help?” Simon asked.
Emma detected a little confusion
in his question.
“That’s because he has asthma and can’t handle the dust created when grinding the grain.”
“Might I ask how old the boy is?”
“I believe he’s about seven years old. He works well with animals, the smaller the better considering his short stature. Why?”
“I’ll explain later. I see James has spied us. Obviously, I don’t believe he knows I’m the duke so do you have any suggestions on how to introduce me? I don’t want to scare the poor man, but get true and solid answers to our questions.”
“I’ll say you’re a land surveyor and have come out from London to see about the feasibility of the plan to open up the other stream bed. Would that work?”
“Yes, but call me Simon as you did with his son.”
“Agreed.”
She gently brought Daisy to a halt then waited while Simon glanced around. She suspected he was looking for someone to come running to hold the pony. Emma tapped him on the shoulder.
“If you’ll help me down, I’ll show you how I keep her from wandering off.”
As in the past it would be easy for her to climb out, but she wanted to feel if she experienced the same emotion from earlier. Before Emma realized what happened Simon was standing beside her, wrapping his hands around her waist, he lifted her down. When he released her only then could she breathe again. No, the first time was no accident as she felt the same thing again.
“Um, thank you. Now if you’ll wait here, please.”
Hiding a smile, she stepped around to the rear of the cart, tossed back a piece of canvas, and grabbed a coil of rope attached to a rock. Hefting it easily, as it had been her design from the beginning, she carried it up to Daisy. There she fastened the free end of the line to the bridal and turned to Simon.
“See. It’s very simple, and she’s been trained to stand as if she is tied. Now, as I see James approaching, shall we greet him?”
As James got closer, Emma glanced over to Simon and knew something was amiss. What it was she couldn’t put her finger on, until-
“Your Grace, now this is a pleasant surprise.”
“Yes indeed. I’m happy to see you took over from your father. Now, maybe you’ll stay out of trouble,” Simon said.
“Me. Out of mischief. Or did you forget it was your idea to open the gate letting your father’s prized bull in with the cows.”
Emma giggled when she watched Simon’s hand go to his rear, such a heavenly shaped one, and rub it. Only a low growl from him stopped her.
“How well I remember. I had to take my meals standing for a week after the thrashing I got.”
“A week. That’s all. I couldn’t sit for two. I do believe we did learn our lessons,” James declared.
“We certainly did and were more careful in the future not to get caught. Though today we’re here for a different purpose, and you’ve grain to grind.”
Emma knew this was the opening needed to get Simon’s mind back on the task at hand.
“James, I see you’re busy so if you don’t mind I’ll show Simon around and point out the possible changes we discussed.”
“Certainly, m’ lady.”
“Let’s start where the new and old stream begin. This will give you an excellent opportunity to understand what your mother and I think is possible.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. From what I’ve seen so far I do believe you both have come up with a viable solution to increase the yield of flour.”
With Simon at her side, Emma followed the current stream until they came to the dam.
“From what we can tell, this is the problem. If it is removed the water will flow down to the mill where the next problem exists.”
“I see your point. I do believe the dried up bed can be widened to accept the water. There’s a lot of plant growth, and I’d say water hasn’t flowed here in many generations.”
“If that’s the case, we know when to start looking through the journals,” Emma stated.
“Correct. Let’s walk the stream bed so I can examine it better.”
From where she stood at the edge of the bank, Emma saw it was heavily rock strewn. She knew even in her walking boots it would be risky as she could twist an ankle or worse. “Meaning no disrespect, but I’d rather return from up here. Walking on rocks isn’t something I’m used to doing.”
“I understand. Let’s stay side by side, so to speak. That way if I come across a problem needing further investigation you’ll know the spot.”
“Agreed.”
They slowly made their way back to the mill, and it was easy for Emma to keep pace with Simon since his was the more difficult route.
“This is where the next problem exists. To channel the stream to the opposite side so finer millstones can be used, the bed will have to be diverted to the other side of the building,” Emma told him.
He climbed out of the old bed, but she couldn’t understand the wide grin he had.
“Did you find something I missed? Don’t forget I never saw everything from where you were.”
“It can’t be seen from where you were standing because of all the dirt that has accumulated over the years. The stream bed once flowed where you want the new one to go,” Simon told her.
As Emma listened to Simon explain Laura’s and her suggestion would work, her focus was more on his lips and how they moved when he spoke. Yes, granted she’d heard him, but that was in the palace without the benefit of the sun shining down on his face. It added a different dimension to him, one she greatly enjoyed. Her only question was how they would taste. Never having been really and truly kissed by a man, milksops and their slobbery attempts never compared to what she’d read about, Emma wondered if kissing Simon would be as wonderful or better than in the romance novels.
Taking in a breath, she took a step forward and wrapped her arms around Simon’s neck. Rising on her toes, she gently drew his head down to her then settled her lips over his. Then, as quickly as she started, she stopped, realizing what she’d done.
From the first time Emma had met him she’d wondered what his lips would feel like against hers, and now she knew. Heavenly.
Turning away from him, Emma forced her mind and body to calm and focus, not on his lips but the task at hand. Unfortunately, it took longer than she had thought. Finally. “Simon, I apologize for my forward behavior. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”
The calm smile Emma saw from him disarmed her.
When Simon reached for her, Emma backed away for the fear she’d kiss him again. Collecting her scattered thoughts, she looked up at him.
“I would like to recommend we tell James the changes are possible, but we need to do some research. We should bring in an architect to see what might be needed for the foundation of the mill to make it stronger. We don’t want all of our hard work to go to waste if it falls down,” Emma said, then turned away from him.
After giving James the news, Emma allowed Simon to lift her onto the cart, receiving the same feeling as before which still confused her. Once or twice she could understand, but three times was more than she could handle. Without her mother to ask for advice she needed to seek council from Laura.
On the trip back to town Emma decided to let Simon try handling Daisy, but to her amusement, he refused.
“You and she are a perfect match, thusly I wouldn’t wish to disrupt the harmony you both have.”
“Why thank you, kind sir,” She said with a slight tip of her head.
As they returned to town Emma saw Jimmy waiting in front of the dress shop. Bringing Daisy to a stop, she waited until Simon came around and helped her down.
“While you collect your jackets I’m going to step into the shop and see how the preparations are coming along for the habits that you insist I have.”
Turning the care of the cart over to Jimmy, she noticed Simon glancing around to the different stores, then smiled when he marched off in the direction of the bakery. Emma wondered if he would keep his promise and obtain something
special for the boy.
With a head bob to Jimmy, she slipped into the dress shop and was met by Mrs. Wallace.
“I’ll have the first habit ready soon. You should have it later this afternoon,” the woman declared.
“Thank you, and have it delivered at the rear, through the kitchen as I wish to keep it a secret from His Grace.”
Emma retreated back to the cart just as Simon marched up, a small bag in hand and a larger package under his arm. After passing over the promised coin from her, and a sweet roll from Simon, she let Simon help her into the cart and started for home.
As they drew closer to the edge of town, she saw a horse and rider racing up to them. Emma quickly pulled Daisy to the side of the road just as one of the grooms on a sturdy stallion stopped beside them.
“What’s the matter?” she said through heavy, nervous breaths.
“Your Grace, your traveling carriage is here, and your valet, Harold, has been shot.”
“Take his horse, and he can accompany me back to the palace,” Emma pronounced.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, now go and find out what happened. We’ll be right behind you,” she all but ordered.
Chapter Six
As he galloped back to the palace, Simon wondered how and why his valet of the past fifteen years had been shot. The man, although not a soldier, had accompanied him as close to the battlefield as Harold had dared and was always there when Simon returned to be served either a whiskey or hot tea, usually mixed together.
Harold had only been required to appreciate the comforts of the ducal traveling carriage. So what could have happened on the roads that they’d journeyed on so often in the past?
When the courtyard came into view, Simon slowed the horse to a trot then down to a walk as he approached the front steps. Not waiting for the beast to stop, he bolted from the saddle and ran up the stairs to the opened front door.
“Where is he?” Simon demanded as he raced in.
“The blue suite in the south wing, Your Grace,” Winston informed him.
“Lady Emma is following with the groom and cart. When she arrives and asks for me, as I’m sure she will, let her know where Harold is. I also want the coachman and assistant in my office in ten minutes,” he called out.
The Duke's Bride (The Radcliffe Family Book 1) Page 5