“Yes? I am sorry, Miss Hughes. I am still a little fatigued from the journey.”
She smiled her straight, white teeth at him. “I asked if you have ever been to Amberley Estate.”
“I have, some years ago. I loved the clock tower, very impressive.”
“You live in the magnificent home with the clock tower?” Alistair asked, his voice full of delight. “We passed it on our way here and I marveled at it. I should love to see it, if that would be acceptable.”
Bridget grinned. “I am sure my father would love to show you the estate.” She turned to Daniel. “I shall speak to him when I arrive home. I will tell him to expect your call, My Lord.”
Daniel nodded, already regretting their visit to the Branigan estate. Alistair, on the other hand, reveled in his sudden possibility of entertainment that didn’t include hunting or riding. He turned to Penelope. “Lady Penelope, I hope you can find the time to accompany us.”
She nodded and cast a sideways glance at Daniel. “If you would like me to accompany you, and if my father does not object, then I do not see why not. In fact, it will surely be delightful.”
Daniel found himself inhaling sharply at this and his hands curled up into fists. Quickly he turned his attention to the Duke, who presently cleared his throat.
“I suppose there is nothing wrong with a little outing. But first, let us speak to Mr. Hughes. I would not wish to impose on him.”
Bridget shook her head and grinned. “It would be no imposition at all, Your Grace. I assure you, my father will be delighted to have two peers of the realm show interest in his estate.”
“Then it is all set. Daniel, I dare say, I no longer hold a grudge against you for dragging me out into the countryside against my will. These two lovely young ladies have redeemed you and Oxfordshire entirely.”
Penelope giggled at this, a sound that used to delight Daniel but now only made him grow even hotter under his cravat. Before he knew what he was doing, he was on his feet and turned to the Duke.
“Your Grace, it has been a delight. Alas, I am afraid we must depart. We have other appointments to attend to.”
“We do?” Alistair asked. The look of confusion was evident on his face, but Daniel ignored him. The Duke rose with some difficulty.
“Of course, Daniel, of course. Now, do not be a stranger. I shall have Mr. Percival seek you out to assist in the hiring of a new steward. I am sure despite the delightful Oxfordshire ladies, you and your companion will be eager to return to London and your… engagements… there.”
Daniel bowed before the Duke and then turned to the two young ladies. “Miss Hughes, it has been a delight. And Lady Penelope—it was good to see you again.”
“It was, Lord Carlton,” she replied with a curtsy. Her manner of addressing him, and the way she looked at him bothered him more than he cared to admit. Before Alistair could protest, for it was evident he wanted to by the expression on his face, Daniel made his way to the front door, suddenly overcome with a desire to depart the Branigan home almost as much as he’d wanted to escape his own.
Chapter 7
“Penelope!” Bridget turned and clasped Penelope’s hands as soon as her father had departed the drawing room. “He is a delight. Shame on you for keeping him a secret all these years.” Bridget’s eyes were wide and sparkled in a way Penelope hadn’t seen before.
Penelope turn to her friend and at once it was clear Bridget was enamored of Daniel. It was no surprise, really. Upon seeing him for the first time as he stepped through the door, Penelope found herself taken aback by the handsome man he’d developed into. Indeed, if he had not broken her heart and abandoned her for all of these years, she might have felt the same.
“Why did you never tell me about him?” Bridget asked. “All of these years I didn’t know there was ever a ward living here, let alone a man like him.”
Penelope shrugged. “It was a very long time ago. He came to live with us after his parents died. He left when he was three-and-ten to go to Eton and I never saw him again.”
Bridget nodded. “Is that why you were so reluctant to even look at him?”
Penelope blinked. She hadn’t been aware that her hesitation at interacting with Daniel was quite so obvious. “I suppose. It was a different life then. I did not expect to see him again. It was as if I were encountering a ghost.” She shrugged and looked away as she took her seat on the chaise again. The tea cups of the departed were still on the table, reminders of what just transpired here.
“It must be ever so difficult for him to live with such a terrible fate. To have your father kill your own mother.” Bridget shook her head. “How broken his heart must be.”
“It was difficult for him. He did not speak for a long time when he arrived here, so shocked was he by the events.” Penelope could not help but remember the nightmares Daniel suffered as a young boy. She thought of the many nights they’d spent together, sitting by the fire with their drinking chocolates, telling stories to ward off sleep. And she remembered the nights she’d spent by his side, either asleep next to him or sitting awake and guarding him as he dreamt. “It’s scarred him deeply,” she added.
“I should very much like to help him mend his heart,” Bridget said with a smile. Penelope wanted to tell her friend that this was no light-hearted matter. She wanted to tell her how desperately sad it had been and how scary his nightmares had been. But then she stopped herself
This all happened many years ago. He is not the same. The scared boy who was my cherished companion has grown into a man who by all accounts is little more than a rake and dandy. I don’t even know him. Then why do I feel so strange? So conflicted?
“He seems to have recovered well enough,” she conceded at last.
“Penny,” Bridget grasped her friend’s wrist. “You must help me! He is the most glorious man I have ever laid eyes upon. He seems to be smart and witty. I wish for nothing more than to court him. Help me, please. I think he is all I ever wanted in a man.”
