Page 34 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

“Then why are you doing it?”

“Lady Lavender has been trying to teach me the letters, but it’s easier when you’re only learning one at a time. All scrunched up on one page is overwhelming,” Jack whispered. “But if you can help me read better, she’ll be right pleased with my progress.”

Thomas had no doubt the boy was right. Lady Lavender did love her books. It shouldn’t have surprised him that she was teaching Jack to read. She spent much of her time since his accident at his side, either applying the carron oil or changing his bandages, or just talking to him. Her presence had given Jack more hope every day in his recovery.

They made it to the nursery and told Jane to go help Mrs. Bitters with the guests. She kissed Jack’s cheek on the way out, she was so happy to leave. Jack was more than a little red in the face, and Thomas couldn’t hold in his laugh after the girl left. “I think she’s sweet on you.”

Jack shook his head. “She’s just happy to leave, that’s all.”

Thomas didn’t agree, but he kept his mouth shut. Daniel was standing on his bed with his arms crossed and looking daggers at them.

“Hello, Daniel,” Thomas said.

“I don’t want to sleep,” Daniel pouted.

Thomas put up his hands. “Oh, we are here to read a story. Can we sit with you on your bed? It’s more comfortable than the floor.”

The little boy’s face began to get red, and Thomas didn’t have time to stop the storm before it came out. “Nooooo! I don’t want to read a story. I don’t want my bed. I want to play.”

Jack hopped in front of Daniel. “Shhh, Daniel. I thought you wanted to be my helper.”

He looked up at Jack and swiped at his running nose with the back of his pudgy hand. “I like being your helper.”

“Well,” Jack said as he sat on Daniel’s bed. “I have some work to do. Lady Lavender asked me to learn to read this book, and Tom here is going to help me. Would you like to help me learn my letters?”

Daniel sat next to Jack and put his hands on Jack’s bandages. “I’ll help you. Lady Lavender loves books more than peppermint sticks.” His eyes went wide like he couldn’t fathom the idea.

Thomas laughed. “That doesn’t surprise me. She almost always has a book with her.”

“Why are books important?” Daniel asked.

Thomas sat on the bed as well, with Daniel between himself and Jack. “There are a lot of reasons books are important. They can tell stories, like this one.” He pointed to the book in Jack’s lap. “And they can teach things like history, and mathematics, science, and religion. People put their knowledge into books so other people can learn it as well.”

Jack opened the book about Goody Two-Shoes, and Thomas began to read. He stopped every now and then to have Jack sound out a simple three letter word. And before long, Daniel had his head in Thomas’s lap. Ten minutes later, he was sleeping, and Thomas transferred him to the bed and under his blanket. Then he and Jack left the room as quiet as mice in a church.

Thomas closed the door to his bedchamber quietly and listened to see if he stirred at their leaving. He didn’t.

“Thank you, Tom,” Jack whispered.

“It’s nothing.”

Jack shook his head. “You’re wrong. One day, I’ll be able to read on my own, and that’s not nothing.”

Thomas’s throat went tight with emotion, and he had to convince himself to take deep breaths on the way back down to the kitchen. Jack wasn’t wrong; knowing how to read would change the boy’s life. But Thomas wouldn’t always be limited in his ability to help others as he was now. Perhaps, when his life as a servant was over, he could help a generation of servants to read. That might impress Lady Lavender enough to overlook his lying about his identity for so long.

Chapter 17

Lavender stood on the edge of the ballroom and tried to commit herself to the evening, but she was comfortable back here, watching everyone dance.

She recalled her mother’s letter she’d received only this morning. Her father’s health continued to worsen, and she’d pleaded with Lavender to hasten her way to the altar. It was a terrible mindset for a ball. Already she’d been asked for three dances, and the musicians were only just tuning their instruments. This would likely be the last moment she would be allowed to hold up the wall. Miriam was visiting with a group of matrons nearby, but once dancing began, the duchess would be focused on helping Lavender to fill her evening with potential suitors.

Miss Dalrymple sidled up to her. “You look lovely this evening.”

Lavender’s white dress was trimmed in a pale blue; it was elegant but simple, and she loved it. “Thank you, Miss Dalrymple. You look lovely as well.”

Miss Dalrymple’s dress was quite opposite Lavender’s. She was wearing a dark green dress with rows of flounces at the hem and along her neckline. It wasn’t too much for a ball, but the dress wouldn’t be able to be worn in a single other situation. “It is just like Lord Chilcott to host a ball and not have the musicians ready on time. I heard a rumor that you and he are becoming quite close.”

“I wouldn’t put much stock in rumors if I were you.”