“And never has there been a man so disinterested in the expectations of others.” Nicholas shook his head. “When do you think he would wed this young lady?”
“I will not speculate upon the circumstances of others,” Aunt huffed, although Helena knew she routinely did as much. A wager with Nicholas, though, would reveal her interest in the affairs of others, and in a way that she might deem vulgar as well.
Helena’s brother, however, knew the perfect bait.
“A new hat for you if I am wrong,” he said and Aunt’s eyes lit with predictable interest.
“Anyhat?”
“Any hat the dressmaker in Haynesdale Hollow can contrive for you.”
Aunt, Helena knew, believed herself in need of a hat, and if one could be had at no expense to herself, all the better.
“And if I am wrong?” that lady asked. “What will you demand for your side?”
“I will be content with the satisfaction of having been right,” Nicholas said with a smile.
“I will take your wager,” Aunt said as the carriage began to roll. “I will take your wager and teach you a lesson, Nicholas Emerson, about the folly of believing a man cannot change his view. Love,” she informed him loftily, “can soften the most resilient heart.”
“It will have a quest in claiming Damien’s,” Eliza said under her breath.
Nicholas laughed and shook Aunt’s hand. For her part, Helena looked out the window, marveling that her interest in the duke should have diminished so very much in so little time. It was a puzzle and almost certainly the influence of a docile country life. Soon, she thought with a sigh, she might even find enjoyment in her needlework.
CHAPTER 10
Joshua found himself missing the society of Miss Helena Emerson. He had been occupied with church services the day before, and a spring tea hosted by the ladies of Addersley village. There had been speculation about the progression of the strawberries in the gardens of Addersley Manor, as well as queries as to whether he might resume his mother’s old habit of hosting a strawberry picnic and tea in the gardens.
He had a clear sense of the right answer in the view of his tenants. He made the excuse that he could only manage such a social event with the assistance of a wife and was subsequently introduced to a variety of young ladies considered to be eligible in the vicinity.
For once, he had welcomed the prospect of dining alone.
By Monday, however, he was keenly aware of his solitude, particularly in the absence of one delightful lady. A visit to the stables confirmed that Hoskins believed the puppies of an age to go to their new homes. He immediately resolved upon a visit to Bramble Cottage on his way to collect the documents from Newson for Mrs. Lewis.
As he dressed for his ride, his gaze fell upon the waistcoat he had worn the day he had come upon Miss Emerson with her injured ankle. Had she guessed the identity of her admirer? Joshua thought she might have done, the feel of her fingertips upon his chin all too easy to recall. On impulse, he chose the waistcoat, overcoming Reed’s insistence that it was too elaborate for a call to his manager.
Perhaps Miss Emerson had need of a little assistance in deriving the truth.
He had a devil of a time getting away from the stables, for Hoskins was filled with advice for the pup’s future. The ostler recounted the best feeding times, the best nourishment for the dog, the condition of its bed, and the commencement of its training.
“She might be your own child, off to live elsewhere,” Joshua teased when the other man paused for breath and Hoskins grinned.
“They are a fine lot of puppies, my lord. I would not see any of them come to harm.”
“Perhaps I should suggest to Miss Emerson and Lady Dalhousie that you might call on the morrow to ensure that all is as it should be for Mischief. Miss Emerson has never had a dog, to my understanding, and might be glad of your advice.” Lady Dalhousie seemed to know a great deal about dogs, and Joshua had no doubt that all would be settled admirably, but he wished to reassure his ostler.
“I should like to do as much, sir. It would be no trouble.”
“And it would set your fears to rest.”
“Only if all is as it should be, sir.”
Joshua nodded. “And if it is not, you can offer suggestions to see that it is so. I shall make some of my own today.”
Hoskins nodded with relief and scratched the puppy’s ears. “Thank you, sir.”
“Come along, Mischief. Your new lady awaits you.”
The day was overcast, with a promise of rain in the afternoon. As he rode past the copse of trees that surrounded the folly, Joshua could only recall Miss Emerson’s demand that he meet her there on the first fine afternoon. His visit this day would give him the opportunity to ascertain the state of her ankle, and better to guess her intentions.
