“It’s charming.” Her voice came out more breathless than she’d intended. What with his hands about her waist still, him hovering closely.
Her legs wobbled at first. Likely due to the long drive. She steadied herself a moment before stepping away and out from beneath his hands.
“But this isn’t just a little country house, Mr. Findlay. It’s a grand estate. Surely, you wouldn’t purchase something like this only to leave it empty?”
His answer came in the form of a grunt.
He deftly unhitched the horses and walked them toward a few out buildings, leaving Loretta standing alone to examine the exterior.
The only sound on the estate was of leaves scattering as a gust of wind blew through the trees.
Loretta shivered. The two of them were so very much alone here.
But the estate appealed to her. She imagined it beckoned even more in the springtime, when flowers would blossom where dead plants currently took up space.
She jumped when Thomas appeared at her side again.
As though he’d not temporarily abandoned her, he climbed the steps and addressed the locks on the door. “I’d put some servants in it, I imagine.” He groused a bit as the key seemed to stick. When it finally clicked, he unhooked the latch and looked over his shoulder. “You coming, Duchess?”
She at first wanted to chastise him for his lack of manners. A gentleman would escort her inside. But the gleam in his eyes gave away that he knew this.
He’d done it on purpose.
Irritating sod.
Loretta lifted her skirts and climbed the steps herself. When she arrived at the landing, he did, in fact, take her by the elbow and guide her inside.
“It’s not a mansion,” he pointed out. “But big enough for large gatherings. And Cecily’s dog. Have you met Cecily’s dog, Edmond? Damned near the size of a horse.”
Loretta chuckled, charmed despite herself.
She had seen his daughter’s dog on one occasion. A terrifying beast which did naught but wag his tail when strangers approached.
“And all those grandchildren.” She reminded him. When had she found her humor again? “Draw back some of these drapes, Mr. Findlay, so that we may have a proper look.” Although most furnishings were covered with sheets, what she could see seemed to have been kept in good repair.
He did as she said, revealing a delightful view of the park in front and at the same time illuminating the intricate molding around the ceiling and a bronze chandelier, detailed with cherubs and angels, hanging in the center of the room. It ought to be gaudy, but it seemed to fit the house perfectly.
“It feels like a home.” She spoke the words without thinking and glanced across the room to where he stood to see if he would laugh at her.
Only he wasn’t laughing.
“And what does a home feel like, Duchess?” He wasn’t mocking her.
“A place to rest, to celebrate, to mourn… and a place to love.” Her breath stalled in her throat. Why had she said that?
“I’ve never really known a proper home.” He ran one hand across the fireplace mantel and then brushed it with his other to remove the dust he’d picked up. “I’ve rested wherever I could lay my head. I’ve celebrated victories in foreign lands, and I’ve mourned in a broken down hovel when my wife died.”
“You loved Cecily.”
He smiled at that. “I did at that. Kept her with me as long as I could. Until I learned the importance of a proper governess to train her up right.”
“You did well with her.” Loretta knew of the young girl’s trials that she’d faced. She’d come out of them with her head held high and her dignity intact. Couldn’t ask much more of a lady.
“Has Eden’s Court always been a proper home?” he asked impertinently, once again reminding her of his lack of decorum.
But then she considered the question. She’d rested there, yes, celebrated. Definitely mourned. And she’d loved her boys with all her heart.
But something had always been missing. She knew, and yet she didn’t know. Prescott had loved her. He’d not been in love with her though.
