“All right,” Thomas nodded, his expression still portraying confusion. “Do you need me to wish him farewell or... you both seem ready to be on your merry way. Reuben especially – that is a charming hat he has on.”
Jane had requested for a hat to help him keep the sun out of his eyes and Reuben had insisted on putting it on as soon as he had gotten his hands on it. He really looked so precious, blinking beneath the brim.
“It really is,” Jane nodded. “But we cannot leave because we are missing a member of our party.”
Thomas stared at her and Jane sighed tiredly, then she gestured at him.
“Me? Why? I am certain you both do not need me present – given what happened during our last family gathering.”
“That is precisely why we would like you to join us. I realized that I made the mistake of putting you in an uncomfortable position last time. But this is going to be better, and more relaxing for you.”
“Jane –”
She stepped even closer to his desk.
“Please. I am not only doing it for him. You are always in here, working. You deserve to have a day to relax and if you happen to grow closer to your son, then that is an additionally positive outcome. Join us.”
Thomas hesitated, gesturing at the top of his desk. “I can’t. I have too much work to do and –”
“Surely it can wait. Please?”
He sighed deeply, then rose to his feet. “Fine. All right. I will join you to... what are we doing?”
Jane grinned proudly and lifted her chin. “We are going to have a picnic.”
It was clear the duchess had put a lot of thought into this.
A blanket had been spread underneath the shade of a large tree by the lake, decorated with small pillows. Once they arrived, she collected the basket he had taken from her when they began their walk and started to arrange numerous baked goods and refreshments, clearly prepared by the chef.
“Oh! Peach tarts! How wonderful!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands in excitement.
Thomas couldn’t help but watch her, transfixed by the radiant glow that surrounded her as she offered a cookie to Reuben – who was intent on sticking as closely to her as possible.
“What do you think, Your Grace?”
The formal address made his eye twitch in mild annoyance, but he couldn’t find it in himself to be upset for too long when she looked at him so expectantly.
“It all looks good, duchess. And the weather is quite nice, as well,” Thomas nodded, accepting the glass of lemonade she offered him.
“I was quite thrilled to find out that we had a lake so close to the estate. It makes for a great location to... get away from it all,” shesighed, shoulders relaxing as she watched Reuben stare at a few birds, clearly in awe.
“Are you... does being in the estate feel smothering?” he inquired, genuinely curious.
“No,” Jane shook her head quickly. “That was not what I meant. It is not the estate – not our home in particular. I just... do not like to be indoors for too long. I do not necessarily like to be outside – not among people, floating from one social function to the next. I like this; the quiet in the air, the gentle breeze, and the lovely view. It is a nice change of pace.”
Thomas could not help but agree with her. Although he had lived on this property practically the entirety of his life, he had never thought to spend anytime by the lake.
It seemed as though Reuben was enthralled with their location, however. He eagerly stared at everything that went by, continuously shifting his gaze each time something new caught his attention. Still, he remained close, his small hands wrapped around one of Jane’s arms as he continued to look around.
Thomas felt... guilty. Without realizing it, he had kept his son confined to the estate, and because everyone had been accustomed to him being indoors, they never suggested otherwise. It made him wonder how many more offenses he had committed against the boy, how much more he had disappointed him.
Jane noticed Reuben’s wide, fascinated eyes and giggle.
“Would you like to explore a little? If you promise not go too close to the water, you can take a walk and look around,” she suggested, gesturing around them.
Reuben shook his head, then tugged at Jane’s arm.
“Oh, you want me to come along? Well, all right. I will accompany you,” she agreed easily, rising up.
