“I - I have no need of an escort, your Grace.”
When Daniel took a step closer, his wife grabbed the mare’s reins as if she was preparing to flee.
“Yet I will accompany you, Duchess, as you have no idea of the lay of the land around Stratton.”
“I would not want to inconvenience you and as this is to be my home, I am sure riding alone will be something I do often.”
Daniel lifted a hand, intent only on running it through his hair in frustration, yet his wife caught the movement and quickly ducked under the mare’s neck, placing the horse between them. Daniel was stunned as she then vaulted onto Posy’s back, the movement effortless and surprisingly graceful, and then she was gone, simply waving a gloved hand above her head. The little mare was suddenly galloping out of the stables as if the hounds of hell were on its heels.
“Bloody hell! Hurry, Holby - the little fool will kill herself if she keeps up that pace.”
Daniel urged his black stallion out of the stables minutes later, then gave him his head. He could see his wife in the distance. Pulling alongside her minutes later, he reached for her reins and eased the mare into a walk.
“That was foolish,”
She didn’t look at him, instead keeping her eyes between the horse’s ears. “I had no wish to inconvenience you, your Grace.”
She was terrified of him; Daniel could see it in the set of her shoulders and rigid line of her jaw. What the hell had her family done to her? “You have nothing to fear from me.”
“I do not fear you, your Grace. However I say again that I had no wish to inconvenience you any further.”
“Yet I will reassure you that I present no danger to you and it is not an inconvenience to show you around the land.”
Daniel realized that she was as much a victim, if not more so, than he in this mess they called a marriage. He’d never had a woman fear him and was at a loss to know what to do to reassure her that he meant her no harm.
“If you will follow me, please.” He nudged his mount forward and hoped she would follow.
They rode in silence for over an hour, rarely speaking, just the occasional word from him about the land or buildings and a responding murmur from her. Strangely, it was not an uncomfortable ride, perhaps because Daniel always enjoyed viewing the lands around his home. He knew every dip and rise and lush, rolling inch of pasture, and took pleasure in showing it to others. She followed where he led, the thud of Posy’s hooves the only indication of her presence.
“Stratton is a beautiful place, your Grace, and one I am honored to now call home,” she said as they neared the stables again, and Daniel heard the honesty in her words.
“I hope you will be happy here, Duchess.”
She didn’t reply, instead urging Posy past his mount into the stables. He watched her dismount unaided and hand Holby the reins. She then talked to the boy for several minutes and Hobly was soon chuckling at something she said. Her eyes followed Posy as he led the little mare away and Daniel wondered what she was thinking. She turned then and caught him staring at her, offering him a small smile she then bobbed a curtsey and left the stables quickly. Shaking his head Daniel led his own mount into a stable and began unsaddling him. It would be best for both of them if he left, only then could they begin to build their lives once more, and perhaps then she would also believe she was safe here at Stratton, safe from the men she feared.
Later that day, Eva stood outside her husband’s door once again. Taking a deep breath, she knocked twice. She had to do this one thing before he left for London. Thoughts of Reggie in her father’s care were constantly in her head and she had promised him that she would send for him as soon as she could. Betsy, her father’s housekeeper, was another she had vowed to rescue. If she could just get this interview over with, she would never bother him again. Wiping her sweaty palms on the skirts of her dress, she fought for calm.
“Enter!”
Dear Lord, he sounded angry again. Obviously his mood had darkened since this morning’s ride. Eva felt her heart beat faster as she pushed open the door and slipped inside.
“Can I help you?” The duke rose as she approached.
Eva hesitated briefly, her eyes going to the hands he had braced on the desk before him. They were very nice hands - big strong hands, with blunt-filed nails. They were hands you could place your heart in and know it was safe. Hands that would hold a child secure.
However, not her heart and definitely not her child.
“Well!”
Eva felt a spark of anger as he barked the word at her; she had done nothing to deserve it. When they’d last met, at least he’d been civil. Taking a deep breath, she then recited the words she had practiced long into the night. “I have need of your assistance, your Grace.”
“Of course. Speak freely.”
Eva was relieved when he sank back into his chair. She felt safer with him sitting.
“I wish to have my brother and a servant brought over from my father’s house, your Grace.”
“And you want my help?”
