Chapter 4
Emma had spenta great deal of time pondering Lady Sophia’s drawing since yesterday. She felt bird-witted for not asking after the girl’s mother. In truth the thought had never crossed her mind. She’d been far too concerned with her own wellbeing.
She angled her head, looking at the duke from beneath the brim of her bonnet. “I hope I did not overstep yesterday. I must admit to being caught off guard by Lady Sophia’sdrawing.”
The duke led her onto a shaded garden path. “Not at all. I should have told you about my wife’spassing.”
Emma shook her head. “No, the fault is mine as it never occurred to me to ask after your wife and it most certainly should have. How long has she beengone?”
The duke released a breath. “Sixmonths.”
Emma gasped then pressed her lips together the stifle her shock. The family should be in morning yet there were no signs of it. Why? She glanced at their surroundings not at all sure what to say next for it would be rude of her to pry into his personal affairs. Still, what sort of man did not grieve the death of hiswife?
“Let us sit and I will explain.” The duke brought her to a cast iron bench under a lime tree. It’s umbrella of leaves casting them inshade.
She lowered herself onto the cool surface then smoothed her skirts as she waited for him to goon.
He positioned himself beside her but kept his attention trained elsewhere as he looked straight ahead out into the garden. “My wife died six months ago, but she has been gone from us since Sophia was five years ofage.”
“I’m sorry.” The words hardly seemed sufficient. Emma plucked at her skirt, hoping he had more to tell her as she still did not understand hisreasoning.
“Do not be. I have no grief for her loss.” He turned to Emma, a mixture of anger and relief in his gaze. “She was a heartless woman who abandoned us for her lover. They ran off to France and she never looked back. She never sent so much a letter asking after Sophia’s wellbeing.”
Emma’s heart hitched for the pain both the duke and Lady Sophia had experienced. After all, her own father had done much the same thing to her when he’d abandoned her, selling her to Uncle Silas and AuntCharlotte.
“When I received word that she had met her end, I felt relief for it meant she could not show back up in our lives, bring more hurt on ourdaughter.”
Emma reached for his hand and gave a little squeeze. “I understand, better than you might think. My father abandoned me after my mother passed away. That is how I came to live with my aunt anduncle.”
He gave a sympathetic smirk. “I worry about Sophia growing up without a mother. But at least now, she will never have to know that her mother choose not to be withher.”
“Indeed, there is a small blessing in that.” Emma offered a comforting grin. “Lady Sophia is a delightful girl. Smart and sweet. Any woman should be proud to call herdaughter.”
“I take it the lessons are going well,then?”
“Indeed. There is nothing I have taught her that she has not taken right to. Of course we have just begun, but I am optimistic. You have done a wonderful job with her, Your Grace. Don’t ever doubtit.”
His lips twitched. “Will you feel the same when her mischievous side makes anappearance?”
“Absolutely.” Emma grinned. “In fact I am looking forward to herantics.”
He stood then helped her to her feet. “I somehow doubt the truth of yourwords.”
“Never doubt my sincerity, Your Grace.” She angled her head, giving him an amused glance. “Children are wonderful. They keep us young and bring laughter into ourlives.”
Emma allowed him to lead her back onto the trail, tipping her chin up to feel the sun on her face when they came out of theshade.
“Would you laugh if you found a frog in your shoe?” He asked, his eyessparkling.
“Yes.”
“What if you found a wild creature in your room? Say a fawn orpheasant.”
She laughed. “I would give it a name and make it apet.”
“You would not.” He joined in her merriment, chuckling as he swept her onto a newpath.
“I most certainlywould.”
