Opening it once more, she read the words again.
It is a great burden you carry to raise another’s child as your own, but you are to be commended, brother, for doing so. She will be forever grateful for your intervention in her life. It is a Christian thing you have done, and God will reward you.
One sentence had changed Dimity’s life.
When her brother had thrown her from the house, telling her to take nothing but her clothes, she’d smuggled her father’s Bible into her bag. Had she left it behind, she would never have known, and perhaps that would have been a good thing.
Dimity had not looked back at the only home she’d ever known. Her father had made it such, now it was just a roof and walls.
His children had existed together, but they’d never been close, and that he was not of her blood was the only pleasing thing about that note. Folding it gently, she placed it back in the bag, then, squaring her shoulders, Dimity tied Lord Raine’s now grubby neckcloth to Walter’s collar again and left the room.
This was a house she knew well, as she’d come here often to teach piano to Lord Raine’s sister. It was big, filled with expensive things, and befitted the family that resided within its walls.
Money, Dimity thought, was everywhere she looked.
If luck was on her side, she’d slip out of the house without anyone seeing her. She’d rubbed along with the other servants before, but she had no wish to have to explain why she was here.
Down the steps they walked, past fine artworks and tapestries. She saw a maid ahead, but did not recognize her, so simply nodded and carried on. Her fingers trailed along the polished wood bannisters, and her boots sank into plush floor coverings. Beside her, Walter walked quietly. He, too, was likely in awe of his surroundings.
“I will find us a comfortable place to settle soon, Walter, I promise.”
It seemed to take forever to reach the front entrance, but finally she descended the last staircase.
“Good morning, Miss Brown.”
The butler appeared below her. He moved to stand at the base of the stairs, watching her descend.
“Good morning, Fairfax.”Stay calm, and act like you have a purpose, Dimity reminded herself. “I was just leaving, if you will get the door, please.”
“Lord Raine wishes for you to join him in the dining parlor, Miss Brown.”
“You called me Dimity before, Fairfax. I am happy for you to do so again,” She reached the bottom and moved around the butler. “And thank you, but I have somewhere to be and must not be late. Please thank Lord Raine for his hospitality.”
As her hand touched the door, it moved, and she had to step back as it opened.
“Hello, Dimity.”
Botheration.She watched Michael Deville step inside and close the door behind him.
“How are you this morning? Did you sleep well?”
She liked this brother… well, she liked all of them if she was honest, but this one was the gentlest. He had been the one to soothe his sister’s fears and worries.
“I did, and now we are leaving.”
He was dressed elegantly, as they all usually were. The Deville brothers were men who wore clothes well. Their sister had been in charge of ordering what they wore from their tailor. She wondered who did it now.
“Hello, Walter.” Michael dropped down to his haunches before the dog. “You are indeed a fine fellow as my brother said.”
Walter’s lips curved on one side as Michael scratched his chest.
“He likes that.”
“So I see. Has he been outside yet?”
“I was just about to do that before we left.” Dimity seized on his words. “Thank you for the hospitality, but we must get going.”
Michael rose to his feet, forcing her to look up at him. All Deville brothers were tall, with dark coloring, and far too handsome to Dimity’s mind. There was a touch of the wild about each one, almost like they appeared tamed and yet that was merely a facade.
