Her lips parted and she couldn’t help the ragged catch of her breath. “Youpicked them? Yourself?”
He glanced down and then lifted his hands, wiggling his fingers playfully. “Turns out these don’t stop working, even when one becomes duke. Was there enough yellow primrose?”
Tears filled her eyes and she blinked at them before she whispered, “Oh yes, it was perfect.”
He offered her an elbow again and she took it this time, shocked by the spark of awareness that seemed to flow between them when she dared to touch him. He led her to the main table in the large room and beckoned her to sit. She blinked. The empty chair was right between him and Phoebe. As she hugged the little girl gently, she couldn’t believe that was correct.
That was a place of honor.
But he didn’t seem to be teasing or mistaken. He pulled back her chair and she glided into place right in the middle of his friends and their families. Like she belonged there.
Like he wanted her there even though she knew that couldn’t be true. Almost before she could shake out her napkin and rest it in her lap, a footman appeared with a towering plate of eggs, sausages and pastries. She shook her head as the fragrant aroma of the food hit her nostrils.
“These are…”
“All your favorites,” Isabel said from just down the table with a warm smile for Sarah. “Kit wanted to be certain you would be pleased with your meal, so I passed along all I could remember to the cook.”
Sarah worried her lip. “Mrs. Parker must think this is a foolish to-do over a governess.”
Phoebe reached out and took her hand, holding it so tightly that it actually tingled. She stared up at her with wide, still apologetic eyes. “I helped.”
“You helped in the kitchen?” Sarah repeated in shock. “Has the world turned upside down since I went under the water?”
It was Lucas, Duke of Willowby, and the man who she now vaguely remembered had breathed life back into her lungs, who responded. “A shocking event like what you experienced can seem like it turns the world upside down. But I assure you, it is still turning exactly as it was before.”
Kit glanced at her briefly. “Lucas is right. And Mrs. Parker was more than pleased to spoil you, Sarah. You saved Phoebe and that means a great deal to everyone in this household, as she is dearly loved.” He smiled at his sister. “And she knows it, I think.”
Phoebe didn’t respond, but her giggle before she dove back into her food was answer enough to let the world know she liked being so loved by all around her. As the others fell back into conversation, Sarah began to eat. She hadn’t had a thing since a late breakfast before the picnic the day before. She realized now that she was famished and ate with gusto, hardly able to contain little moans of pleasure at the fine food.
She remained mostly quiet during the meal. She was still uncertain of her place at this table. These men and women could have at one time been considered her peers, but those days were long gone. And yet they were kind, considerate, welcoming to their happy, loving, loud fray.
The meal was a wonderful gift for her. A moment to relax out of her duties and just…be again. Be herself.
She glanced at Kit, who was talking at length to the Duke of Abernathe on his right, and she couldn’t help but admire the strength of him. It felt so much bigger now, so much more real since she’d touched him in a way that would shock the entire table if they knew, she was certain. It would surely become the talk of the below stairs set if the truth came out.
Suddenly her stomach felt a little less settled. She pushed her nearly empty plate aside. The others were also finishing their meals and the group began to move, readying to rise and to part ways for whatever would come in the day ahead.
At last, she tore herself away from the stolen moment and got to her feet. “Thank you all, again, for your kindness. I suppose I should get back to my duties. I have much to review for a return to Phoebe’s studies and I’m certain there is a great deal waiting for me after yesterday.”
She intended to curtsey away, but before she could step from the table, Diana pushed to her feet. “Absolutely not, my dear! You need to continue to rest, at least one more day.”
Sarah caught her breath and glanced at Kit, but he merely shrugged. “It is what the doctor ordered, Sarah. And after your heroics yesterday, I think you’ve earned far more than a mere breakfast in your honor. We would love for you to join in the party today, not as a governess, but as a friend to our group.”
Sarah gripped her hands against the table as those stunning words pierced through a veil of disbelief and confusion. Join the party? He could not mean that. But he looked entirely serious, and even more shocking, not a one of the dukes or duchesses seemed even the tiniest bit taken aback or annoyed by the idea of allowing an untitled interloper into their close gathering.
She knew she should say no. That despite their kindness, she didn’t truly belong in their fold anymore. But she didn’t. She wanted to pretend, to dream. And she would give herself that gift, just for the day.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling at the group as a whole.
Isabel got to her feet. “May we start with a walk in the garden? I haven’t had a moment to talk to you since…just since.”
Sarah nodded as she, too, got up. Isabel had been a friend to her almost her entire life. Right now she needed her, position be damned.
“Yes,” she said. “But first…”
She came around the table to where Diana and Lucas were standing, talking quietly. After a beat of hesitation, Sarah cleared her throat. “Your Grace,” she began. “I know it was you who saved my life at the lakeside.”
The tall, handsome man looked down at her and then he smiled softly. “It was entirely my pleasure, Miss Carlton. I am eternally grateful that my training, and my wife’s, could be of any service to you.”
