There has been a fire at the estate, so I will be coming to the Wynten Estate along with my companion until the damage has been repaired.
I will be seeing you soon.
Grace Wynten
“A fire?” he echoed, suddenly worried about the condition of his grandmother and the estate. She had not divulged any information about her health and, as such, he would have to wait until she got here to see for himself.
“Did the person who delivered the letter say anything to you?” he asked Albert.
“Only that the Dowager Duchess is fine. The fire did not harm her in any way and there were only damages to the property. Oh, and that she is already on her way here.”
“All right, thank you Albert,” he said, relieved. “Have the servants prepare a room for her. She mentioned that she has a companion with her, so have a space prepared for her as well.”
CHAPTER3
The sound of horse hooves clopping and the carriage wheels rolling on the ground reached Selina’s ears, worsening the throbbing in her head.
Selina had been so watchful of the Dowager Duchess ever since they left the Brigpool Estate, worried that the sounds, coupled with the swaying of the carriage on the uneven road, would be too much for the older lady.
She did not mind the swaying herself, as it helped steady her and keep her thoughts from running amok. She quite liked the distraction.
Selina held on to her sun hat as she leaned out of the window to look out at the surroundings of the Wynten Estate when the Dowager Duchess notified her that they were in the vicinity.
Her mind was entranced as she took in the beauty that surrounded her. Lovely plains to one side, fields with colorful flowers to the other.
She looked at the children that ran around in the distance from the carriage, enjoying the beautiful day. She loved how carefree and unburdened by worries they all appeared to be. This was how it should be for children.
Leaning back into the carriage, Selina let out a sigh of contentment and happiness, with a smile on her face. The plains had reminded her so much of all the wonderful memories she had when she was still a child.
She could remember her mother’s voice carrying in the wind as she pleaded with her to be careful while she giggled as she ran around and rolled down the tiny hills. The memories filled her with warmth and she was glad these children got to experience it too.
Her eyes opened as she locked away the memory and she was startled when she saw the Dowager Duchess looking at her.
“Wynten is quite lovely,” Selina said, allowing a small smile to grace her lips. It broadened when the Dowager Duchess looked out the window with a smile of her own, almost as if remembering fond memories of her own.
“Yes, quite lovely indeed,” the older woman said in a quiet voice. She turned to Selina, regarding her silently.
“I should have brought you sooner,” she said finally. “I have a confession to make.”
Selina cocked her head to the side in confusion and worry just as the carriage rattled from the uneven path. She was curious about what the dowager could possibly have to confess to her that made her sound so grave.
“I am all ears, Your Grace, whatever it may be,” Selina said, doubting there was anything that could be so terrible as to cause her to worry herself.
“In the past two years since you have lived in my household, I have been to see my grandchildren four times so far,” she said and Selina nodded in confirmation.
That was true and so far, there was nothing in what had been said that invoked a need to worry about anything. Perhaps this was one of the dowager’s eccentricities she was about to confess to.
“And all of those times, I have never taken you along.” The Dowager Duchess sounded grave, as though she thought this wrong.
Selina had never even thought it to be a problem. In fact, she had much preferred it that way, knowing that the less she was involved with the family, the less trouble she was likely to bring to them should her life catch up with her.
She shook those thoughts out of her head. Now was not the time to dwell on any of that. “That is so, Your Grace, but I have never had a problem with it, I assure you. I always assumed you had your reasons.”
The old lady sighed. “It is because of the duke.”
Selina’s brows shot up towards her hairline.
“Does the Duke happen to dislike me for some reason?” she asked. Perhaps Her Grace had told the Duke about her and she had won his distrust. Had he been against the dowager taking her in?
