“What a pleasure to meet you both. I did not know His Grace had a ward. How very interesting.” She glanced at Penelope who blushed slightly.
So, she has never even told her good friend about me. I must really not have crossed her mind in all these years. Perhaps that is for the best, given my condition.
“Let us not stand in the hall as though we are strangers.” The Duke placed a hand on Daniel’s shoulder and led him toward the drawing room where the entire party took their seats. Daniel was growing ever hotter under the collar, for Penelope had yet to speak to him. “I was, of course, not expecting a caller today, even though I was hopeful you might do so, given you are in the area for a while.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I unfortunately find myself in need of a new estate steward. I’m sure you have heard of the unfortunate death of Mr. Scott.”
The Duke grimaced. “Unfortunate, indeed. Although I am sure Mr. Percival will gladly assist you in finding a new steward, posthaste.”
Posthaste. Even the Duke is not eager to have me here.
Daniel swallowed. It seemed like such a good idea to come here and escape the bad memories that found him at every chamber at Carlton Manor, but now he was not so sure. Penelope was not speaking to him, and the man who raised him seemed keen to have him depart once more. Whether it was because of shock or because they were angry at him for not calling on them all of these years, he could not tell.
“Your Grace, I will say your estate is splendid,” Alistair gushed at the Duke as a maid served them tea. He picked up the cup and took a swallow. “As is this wonderful Oxfordshire cup of tea.” Penelope’s friend giggled at Alistair’s comment.
“So, when is it you arrived, Lord Carlton?” Penelope asked. Daniel looked up in surprise at the sound of her voice and the very fact she’d addressed him directly at last. Alas, she’d used his title rather than his name, which was disappointing, to say the least.
“Yesterday. We arrived yesterday.”
She nodded at his reply.
“I see. I hope your journey here was a pleasant one.” The formality in her voice hurt. He wished to be able to speak with her alone, as they had when they were young. Before another word could be exchanged between them, her friend Bridget spoke up.
“You have come here from London, My Lord?”
“Indeed, we have.”
The young girl grimaced. “Faith, what an unpleasant arrival it must have been for you. To come from such a grand city and arrive here in the rain. The roads were awfully muddy. What an unpleasant welcome to this beautiful county.”
Daniel smiled as he remembered their arrival the previous day. “Alistair here had a rather unpleasant encounter with the Oxfordshire mud, Miss Hughes. Haven’t you, old chum?”
“By Jove, have I ever! Utterly terrible. Tell me, Lady Penelope, am I to suspect this sort of weather daily during my stay?”
Penelope turned to Alistair. For a brief moment, she looked as though she was relieved at not having to converse with Daniel any further.
“Absolutely not, Mr. Mavis.” She smiled at Alistair. At once, something inside Daniel’s stomach tightened as he watched the exchange. “It is rather a lovely time of year, early fall. I thought Lord Carlton would have told you, but perhaps he’s quite forgotten the seasons here, given how he has not returned here for any length of time in many a year.”
Daniel swallowed, for the comment was like an arrow to his chest. She was angry. Very angry. And with good reason. He opened his mouth but was once again cut off by Miss Hughes who looked at him, her green eyes wide.
“I am sure it just slipped your mind, My Lord. After all, it must be so vexing to suddenly find yourself without a steward. I am so sorry to hear of the loss.”
She blinked at him and Daniel noticed her pretty heart-shaped lips were pursed in the flirtatious manner he recognized from the ladies in London. He slipped slightly back in his seat and stole a glance at Penelope who, to his surprise, appeared rather animated as she conversed with Alistair and her father. He couldn’t help but wish he and his friend could trade places. There was so much he wanted to tell her. So much to seek her forgiveness for. Alas, he could not. Instead, he found himself involved in conversation with Miss Hughes.
“I thank you, Miss Hughes. It was rather a shock. Tell me, which estate is yours? I do not believe I quite heard His Grace.”
“He did not say. Probably so as to not embarrass me in front of noble company. For, I must admit, I am not of noble birth. My father is a lowly merchant.”
That took Daniel by surprise. It was unlike the Duke to allow his daughter to keep the company of someone so low on the social ladder.
“And to answer your question, we live at Amberley Hall.”
At once, Daniel’s eyes grew wider still for Amberley Hall was one of the grandest estates in Oxfordshire. He’d heard it was sold some years prior, but he never bothered to find out to whom.
“Is that so? It is a lovely estate.”
“It is! Not as nice as…” She carried on talking, but Daniel no longer heard her. His eyes were drawn to Penelope and Alistair who seemed to chat intently while the Duke sat back, his eyes closed as though he were sleeping. He strained, attempting to hear the topic of conversation between Penelope and Alistair, but found Miss Hughes voice distracting him.
“My Lord?” He turned and faced the young woman again.
