“Oh,” Emily breathed. “It’s like a castle!”
“Aaron practically lives in here when he’s home.” She ran her fingers along a shelf. “His father considered too much reading a weakness, so naturally, Aaron became voracious.”
Louise moved between the stacks, her fingers itching to touch. When was the last time she’d held a book that didn’t smell like humidity or was falling apart?
“You’re welcome to read anything you like,” Lady Merrow added. “Aaron’s rather protective of his rarer manuscripts, but everything else is fair game.”
Another kindness. Another chain. Louise’s throat tightened.
“This is the music room.” Lady Merrow led them on, Buttercup’s nails clicking on marble floors. “Do you play?”
“A little.” Louise had sold their pianoforte six months ago, and the memory of it leaving the house still ached.
“Wonderful! You must play for us. Aaron pretends he doesn’t care for music, but I’ve caught him listening outside the door whenever I try my hand at it.”
Each room was more magnificent than the last. The formal dining room with its table for twenty. The blue drawing room, where ladies would call. The conservatory with its jungle of exotic plants.
“And this is Aaron’s study.” Lady Merrow paused at a closed door. “Strictly off limits unless invited, I’m afraid. He’s rather particular about his sanctuary.”
Louise stared at the heavy oak, imagining the duke behind it. What did he think about in there? Did he regret bringing them to his house already?
“Come.” Lady Merrow took her arm and guided her onward. “You must see the conservatory. It’s one of my favorite rooms.”
Emily was already darting ahead, drawn by the spill of pale winter light through the glass panels. They followed her into the long, airy space, where clipped evergreens and wintering citrus trees gave the room a faint, fragrant warmth despite the cold outside.
Lady Merrow smiled. “In summer, it’s overflowing with orchids. But for now, we must be content ourselves with the hardier plants.”
Emily pressed her hands to one of the glass panes, peering out at the frost-covered hedges and the faint outline of the fountain beyond. “It’s like a crystal palace.”
Louise agreed.
“My Lady?” A maid appeared in the doorway. Sarah, if Louise remembered correctly. “The duke has returned. He’s asking for Lady Louise in his study.”
Louise’s pulse jumped. “Now?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Lady Merrow squeezed her arm. “Best not keep him waiting. Emily and I will continue our tour. We haven’t even seen the good hiding spots yet.”
Emily took Lady Merrow’s offered hand without hesitation, already chattering about whether the frozen fountain had fish in it. A knot formed beneath Louise’s ribs at her sister’s easy trust.
She made her way back down the corridor to the study door and knocked.
“Enter.”
The duke stood behind his desk, still wearing his greatcoat, as though he had only just arrived. He looked up as she entered, and something flickered in his expression before he schooled it back to neutrality.
“Your Grace? You wished to see me?”
“Yes.” He gestured to the chair across from his desk. “Please sit.”
Louise settled into the leather chair, aware of how small she felt in this masculine space of dark wood and serious books.
“I’ve just come from Mr. Bragg’s establishment.”
Louise’s breath caught. “You went to see him? Alone?”
“The matter required immediate attention.” The duke’s tone brooked no argument. “He won’t trouble you or your sister again. I’ve paid your brother’s debt in full, and made clear the consequences should he come near either of you.”
