You don’t care about people, especially women.His mother had taught him that.
As if realizing she was holding his arm, the countess released him and moved a foot away. He hated that his first instinct had been to haul her back to his side.
“My carriage is here, my lord. Good day to you.”
“That was not a family debate, Countess. I think there was rage in Dutton’s eyes and?—”
“A family disagreement and nothing more,” she interrupted, her tone icy now. The walls were again in place.
“Is all well, So—my lady?” the driver said, preparing to climb down as they arrived. “Jenny said that scoundrel Viscount Dutton was?—”
“All is well, Robbie,” she cut the driver off.
“I will escort her in. You do not need to climb down,” Patrick said, halting the driver. He hadn’t missed the man’s stutter. It was almost as if he’d wanted to call her Sophie.Surely not?Looking at him, he noted his face was creased with worry, his eyes on the woman at his side.
“Everything is fine, Robbie,” she said and followed it up with a smile. Not one of those fake ones she used on him, this one was genuine, and it made Patrick’s stomach clench.
Opening the carriage door, he held out his hand. She hesitated and then placed her small fingers in his, and he helped her inside.
“I hope the rest of your day goes a great deal better than your recent encounter with Dutton, Countess.”
“Thank you. I am sure it will,” she said.
Patrick helped her maid inside and then stepped back to watch the carriage roll away, wondering what the hell had just happened. One thing he did know was that he needed a plate of cakes to work through the encounter.
CHAPTER 5
Sophie woke as the early-morning sun slanted through the gap in her curtains. Climbing out of bed, she pulled them back and was greeted with a beautiful morning. Deciding she’d take Timmy for a walk, she quickly washed and dressed.
“Good morning, Mary,” she said to Timmy’s nanny when she entered his room. The woman was sitting with the boy on her lap, reading him a story, which he loved.
“Fee!” Timmy said, climbing off Mary’s lap and running to her.
“I thought we’d go for a walk, Mary. If that’s all right with you?”
The woman smiled. “He will love that. I’ll just get my bonnet.”
“I can take him. No need for you to come, Mary. Have a cup of tea below.”
She didn’t look convinced, but as Sophie insisted, she and Timmy were soon walking out the town house front door.
Wandering along the quiet street with his little hand in hers, she looked at the lovely homes with their owners still slumbering peacefully. This life was nothing like his should have been, andthat thought alone told her she’d made the right decision. He would not know hardship like she had.
The park was not far, but the walk took longer than it normally would, as Timmy insisted he did not want her to carry him. He then had to stop every time he saw something that interested him. There was an odd-shaped stone, then a feather, which caused a long discussion about the type of bird it had belonged to.
Finally, they reached their destination, and soon they were walking over the dew-damp grass together. This was the part of her new life she most loved—spending time with Timmy. Not a few snatched moments here and there, but quality time.
Sophie heard a bark, and then a black dog appeared ahead of them. It was large and shaggy and ran with a long pink tongue hanging out of its mouth. She picked up Timmy, ignoring his protests, and held him against her shoulder. The dog reached them, sat, and stared up at them expectantly.
“Down, please,” Timmy said, and as the dog hadn’t shown its teeth or bitten her, she did as he said. The animal then sat perfectly still while the boy wrapped his arms around the canine and hugged him… her?
Sophie bent to stroke the animal. Its fur was matted, and she could feel it was thin.
“Where are you from?” she asked, scratching the top of its head while Timmy continued to hug it, which she should probably stop him from doing, as who knew what it carried.
“See the ducks!” Timmy said, releasing the dog.
“You want to see the ducks?”
