A girl appeared, to help her unpack her valise and to help her wash. The servants acted as if her visit had been expected, and as if she did not appear far poorer than any of them and thus a peculiar visitor for this house to have.
When she finally found herself alone, she sat on the bed and marveled at her sudden change in circumstances. It would not last, but for a day or so she would not have to worry about where she would sleep and what she would eat.
What must it be like to never, ever have to worry about such things? She could not imagine such a life in full, but for a few moments she had a hint of what it must taste like.
That Ives had become her benefactor complicated her contentment. He had helped her more than he needed to. Perhaps he felt guilty about that kiss. Perhaps he even thought of it with regret, and felt foolish.
She was not the sort of woman he probably kissed most of the time. He had certainly concluded that wisdom decreed he should have never let sympathy for her distress over those letters lure him into comforting her in quite that way.
She was not such a goose as to put much stock in that kiss, even if it had been very nice. Nor was she such a child as to pretend it had not happened. Still, the less said about it, the better.
She would let it slide into the past immediately, so it did not inform their dealings with each other after this. Which did not mean she would not enjoy the memory for a very long time.
***
That evening, her servant girl let her know that dinner waited. Dressed as she had been all day, Padua descended the staircase. Ives lounged in the reception hall. She spied him before he heard her, and she paused to look at him.
He had changed his clothes for dinner. The dark coats and pantaloons and boots gave him a strong presence on that chair despite his relaxed pose. His face in repose displayed all its fine beauty, and his expression, deep in thought, caused one to want to know his mind. His eyes’ expression reminded her of what she had seen right before that kiss, only now the attention went inward.
Then he directed that intense gaze toward her. Her legs turned wobbly.
He rose. “I hope you are hungry. The cook has been busy.”
“I am very hungry. However, is it wise for you to be here considering your involvement in my father’s case?”
“Only if I do not allow you to influence my judgment. That will be our rule at this meal—no talk of his situation. It will do you good to have a respite from that worry.”
He escorted her to the dining room. The majestic chamber awed her. The table went on and on. The draperies alone probably cost more than her valise would ever hold. Blues and reds dominated, with plenty of silver and gold reflecting the large candelabras’ lights.
“Goodness,” she murmured, looking this way and that as she took it all in.
“It is a little old-fashioned, and perhaps too colorful,” Ives said. “My late brother, the last duke, refused to redecorate until he married, which he never did.”
“And the current duke?”
“Also unmarried, and not much interested in such things.”
“Marriage, or decorating?”
“Both, so it will probably persist looking as it has all my life for many years longer.”
“I cannot imagine always knowing this luxury. Do you lose sight of it due to familiarity?”
“I suppose I do.”
He handed her to the table. Their places had been set across from each other at one end.
“At least we will not have to shout to hear each other.” She took her seat. “It would have been impossible to talk much, with you down there and me here. Perhaps we could have sent messages to each other by a little dog who ran between us.”
That amused him, perhaps because it became apparent no dog would have been needed, since two-legged creatures obliged them. Footmen arrived to serve the meal, which began with a fine fish soup.
“Will they stand there the whole time?” she asked when the footmen took up stations near the door.
“Only when they are not needed.”
One was needed to pour a different wine. The other disappeared and returned with some lamb in a wonderful sauce. She had not eaten since breakfast, and made no effort to hide how heavenly she found the food.
“I will be spoiled by this. I am beginning to be glad Mrs. Ludlow asked me to leave.”
