And it was.
He took a deep breath of country air scented with damp grass and mud as William yelled. “Father look! A trout has taken my lure!”
“Wait, take it slow, William, reel in the line. But if the fish wants to run, let it.”
William played out more line and then began to reel in the struggling fish.
“You’re doing well, William,” Andrew said as he reached for the net.
William turned his glowing face to Andrew. “I’ve nearly got him!”
Andrew leaned forward. “That’s a decent size.”
William grinned. “Big enough to eat, Father?”
“Someone will certainly enjoy it. If I can get it into the net.” Andrew laughed as he scooped the wriggling fish from the water. “I quite fancy eating it myself.”
“You caught a fish, William!” Barbara ran over with Miss Harrismith following. “Ugh, it looks slippery and wriggles!”
“Oh, well done, Lord William!” Miss Harrismith examined the fish. “When your father has caught one or two, there will be a fish course served for dinner tonight.”
“Are you so confident I will, Miss Harrismith?” Andrew asked wryly not missing the mischief in her smile. There was a touch of the minx in Miss Harrismith, and he found himself wishing she would allow him to see more of it.
“I feel quite optimistic, Your Grace.”
He had never seen her this lighthearted and free, but the governess understood as he did how important today was, to calm his son after his frightening experience.
With the fish safely in a bucket, they sat down to their picnic. Andrew stretched his legs out over the grass and picked up a chicken leg from the plate. He took a bite and chewed. “I shall make an attempt to equal your achievement after luncheon, William.”
“I might catch another, Father!” William grinned as he rose to take the bucket to the river to replenish the water, and ensure his prize catch made it to the kitchens still fresh.
Miss Harrismith buttered bread and placed it on the plates as George stepped forward to pour the lemonade.
“Wine? Miss Harrismith?”
“No thank you, Your Grace. I prefer lemonade.”
Andrew leaned back on his elbows and watched her. Her head in the straw bonnet was bent over the hamper while she added bread and butter to the children’s plates. The fresh breeze brought the scents of leaves and grasses, and the river. How very pleasant it was. Might he and Greta have days like this?
“Right,” Andrew tossed the chicken bone onto the plate, drank a glass of chilled wine, and climbed to his feet, brushing down his breeches. “Back to the river to take up the challenge!”
William still chewing, darted away with a laugh, and Barbara crawled on the grass nearby picking more daisies. Andrew paused at Miss Harrismith’s side. “I’ve been away too long, and need to make up for lost time with my children. Do you think I’m making headway, Miss Harrismith?” He leaned down and offered her his hand.
For a moment, as she climbed to her feet, their hands entwined, the shock of skin on skin. Andrew was conscious of how slim and delicate her hand was, fitted into his palm, and then he released her.
She had gone that pretty shade of pink. “Your children hold you in great affection, Your Grace, but I’m sure it’s not my place to say so,” she said. “You are a duke and my employer after all!”
He smiled. He enjoyed looking at her, her straight nose, the firm line of her jaw. She was firm in her opinions too, was Miss Harrismith. “I was a man before I was a duke, Miss Harrismith. And I want all the things every man wishes for.”
He saw understanding and warmth in her eyes before she lowered her lashes.
Then William called from the river and he turned away, wondering why he’d felt the need to say it.
