“As you know, we are to part ways in a few days and nothing has changed that,” he said quickly. “But until then, I would…like to help you complete whatever is left on the list.”
There was a pause and it felt endless. Meredith looked at the list, then turned her gaze to him with a foreign look in her eyes.
“If you swear to share the final three nights with me,” she finally said boldly.
Ethan paused. Then swept an exaggerated bow. “As you so desire,Duchess.”
With that, Meredith nodded once with a small smile.
* * *
“This is simply…magnificent,” Meredith gushed as Ethan held her hand and helped her off the tilting coach, her shoes pressing lightly against the soft grass.
It was beautiful. Vastly different from Hyde Park, which most of the ton frequented. It was deeper in the country, and to access it, they needed to navigate a tight crossing, a rutted path nestled between an abundance of willow and oak trees, that caused the carriage to rock and bump more times than she felt her stomach could comfortably handle.
But the sight that now beheld her made it all a perfectly acceptable trade-off. They exited the carriage and headed forward.
“This? This is nothing,” Ethan grinned, “follow me, we’re almost there.” He held her hand tightly as they wove through trees and then between two out-of-place stone walls that grew tight and difficult to navigate. Meredith took a moment to look at him and she had never seen him so eager with anticipation – it brought a warm feeling to her stomach.
Eventually, they managed to pass ahead toward a winding footpath that gradually fizzled out into a clearing. The closer they reached, the more Meredith, too, began to share in Ethan’s enthusiasm and wonder.
The small circular clearing in the forest was surrounded by towering trees that cast deep shadows. At the center, an old tree stretched its gnarled branches in all directions, weaving a natural canopy that filtered the bright sunlight. The lush grass felt soft underfoot while the vibrant wildflowers that encircled the surroundings bloomed with color. A lone stone bench, now entangled with overgrown vines, lay at the backdrop of it all.
“It has been a while since I’ve come here,” he said as he gradually stopped. “I don’t have time anymore, so forgive me if this place seems a tad neglected.”
Meredith felt an overflowing happiness escape her lips as she spun around to take in the heavenly scenery. “It is…beyond words! If this is what it looks like when neglected, I dare to imagine how it once was. How on earth did you manage to find this place?”
Ethan simply shrugged. “It is a long story,” he began. Noticing her raised eyebrow, he continued, “a story that I will be glad to furnish you with.” At that, Meredith’s giggles of approval filled the air. He continued ahead toward a clearing where sunlight managed to slither its way through to the green grass and then took a seat there. He patted the space next to him, encouraging her to join.
Meredith did just that. She was holding a basket of food in her hands and as she sat down, she placed it in front of them over a cloth. Then, she carefully picked out two pigeon pies, cheesecake, a bowl of salad, and some sandwiches. After she had prepared it all, she looked at Ethan expectantly.
Ethan made to pick up a sandwich but promptly had his hand slapped away. “The story?” she prodded.
“Ow,” he yelped. Then he held his hands up in defeat, “I concede. Well, as I’ve said before, I was mostly raised by my brother, who, as they say, was abon vivant.” He once again made to pick up a sandwich, but this time, Meredith allowed him.
“When I wished to get away from my father, I would stay over with him at Hartley’s den. It was quite the convenience. But when my brother and I would get into a scuffle, something that was unfortunately all too common when we were both loaded up on gin—” he rolled up his sleeve to show Meredith a scar on his left bicep, “I had nowhere to go. Found this place in a far worse condition on one of those days. Spent maybe ten hours fixing it up one evening and lo and behold.” He raised his arms to indicate around him.
Meredith grinned and clapped for him. “Well, and I’m sure many others have agreed, but you have done a delightful job of it!”
“Oh, no, you’re the first person I’ve ever brought here,” Ethan quickly added to clarify, biting a large chunk out of his sandwich. “As the Duke of Allerton, who would I bring to some woods in the middle of God knows where that I would frequent as a child? They’d think I’ve gone mad and strip me of my title!”
Meredith grinned even wider. “Well, I must say, it is an honor to be the first. And if it means anything, no man who favors nature over the gentry can be considered mad in my world.”
Ethan put his hand into the picnic basket and fished out one of Meredith’s novels. “On the contrary, I say. As we both seek solace in unorthodox means, I think we’ve both quite gone mad,” he chuckled, throwing her the book.
“Oh, you’re being dramatic, Ethan. Books are hardly radical concepts,” Meredith picked up a slice of cheesecake and brought it to her lips.
“They are in my world. Only ledgers, records, and documents are the exceptions,” he shrugged.
“If that is the case, then it’s no wonder you’ve gone mad,” Meredith murmured, eliciting a small chuckle from Ethan.
“You best take that back,Duchess,” he said with a boyish smirk.
“You know, I’ve had many people tell me I need to stand up for myself more. So I don’t think I will,” she said challengingly. It brought a glint to Ethan’s eyes and she felt an intense shiver run down her spine.
“You do know there isn’t anyone around,” he teased. “In fact, I’d wager there isn’t anyone around for miles.”
“I’mcountingon it,” she whispered, surprised by her own boldness. With her last words, she felt a sudden shift in the breeze, as if it read the turbulent emotions suddenly seeping through her. She felt her hairpin succumb to its gust, releasing a cascade of loose strands that danced wildly around her face.
