information, perhaps even disapproving. “I know some of those gentlemen by reputation. But that accounts for only four of your friends. What of the fifth? Is she too plain to attract a husband?”
The notion of Evangeline Fairfax being described as plain was almost enough to make Hannah choke on her soup.
“Nothing of the kind!” Her tongue thoroughly loosened now, she launched into an admiring description of her friend. “Evangeline could have any man she set her cap for, no matter what his rank, if she had any wish to marry.”
“But she prefers to remain a spinster? Why?” The duke sounded offended on behalf of all men everywhere.
That amusing notion restored the composure Leah had earlier misplaced. “If you knew her, you would not have to ask. Evangeline has a very strong will and definite ideas of what should be done and how. I cannot picture her standing at an altar, vowing to obey any man.”
“And you, Miss Shaw?” inquired the duke. “What is your reason for remaining single while so many of your friends are making brilliant marriages?”
From across the table he cast her a searching look that made her squirm. Not wanting him to guess how much his question flustered her she used humor to parry it.
“For the most obvious of reasons, Your Grace, because no gentleman has ever asked me.” There was more to it than that, of course, but Leah had no intention of making it a topic of dinner conversation. She had already told Lord Northam far more about herself than she had disclosed to any of her previous employers.
Anxious to change the subject, she thought of one that would surely divert the duke. “I thought we were to discuss Kit’s studies, not the matrimonial misadventures of my friends and me. Are you satisfied with his progress so far? Since he is not present, you may speak candidly.”
To Leah’s relief, her diversion succeeded. “I would tell you the same thing, whether my son were here or not, Miss Shaw. I am quite astonished at how quickly he is learning to read and do sums. I had no idea Kit was so clever.”
By now they had both finished their soup. Mr. Gibson whisked their bowls away then served the fish course, Dover sole in a white sauce seasoned with capers.
With her fork poised over the appetizing dish, Leah paused to ask Lord Northam another question. “Do you find his studies are putting a strain on his health?”
The duke took a bite of fish and chewed on it intently for several seconds. That was hardly necessary, as Leah discovered when her first bite fairly melted on her tongue.
At last His Grace spoke. “You know perfectly well his studies have done my son no harm. I have never seen him so well in...longer than I can recall. Now I suppose I must admit I was wrong so you may have the satisfaction of gloating.”
Was that what he thought of her? Leah shook her head in vigorous denial. “The only satisfaction I take is in seeing Kit do so well and seeing you have a little opportunity to rest after all the time you have spent caring for him.”
There was still a great deal to be done to give the boy and his father the kind of freedom they both deserved, but they had made a good beginning. Leah hoped the success they’d experienced might make it easier for the cautious duke to take the next step down that long road.
“I never begrudged a moment of that time,” His Grace mused aloud. “Now that I have more for myself, I scarcely know what to do with it.”
Leah consumed the last of her fish and barely resisted the temptation to lick her plate clean of the tasty sauce. “You must not spend it all on estate business. Take up some pursuits you enjoy. What sort of things did you like to do before you had a child to care for?”
His Grace considered her question as Mr. Gibson removed their plates and served a chine of beef. “I used to enjoy the company of my wife.”
Leah winced at the note of longing in his voice. Could that be part of the reason he had devoted all
The notion of Evangeline Fairfax being described as plain was almost enough to make Hannah choke on her soup.
“Nothing of the kind!” Her tongue thoroughly loosened now, she launched into an admiring description of her friend. “Evangeline could have any man she set her cap for, no matter what his rank, if she had any wish to marry.”
“But she prefers to remain a spinster? Why?” The duke sounded offended on behalf of all men everywhere.
That amusing notion restored the composure Leah had earlier misplaced. “If you knew her, you would not have to ask. Evangeline has a very strong will and definite ideas of what should be done and how. I cannot picture her standing at an altar, vowing to obey any man.”
“And you, Miss Shaw?” inquired the duke. “What is your reason for remaining single while so many of your friends are making brilliant marriages?”
From across the table he cast her a searching look that made her squirm. Not wanting him to guess how much his question flustered her she used humor to parry it.
“For the most obvious of reasons, Your Grace, because no gentleman has ever asked me.” There was more to it than that, of course, but Leah had no intention of making it a topic of dinner conversation. She had already told Lord Northam far more about herself than she had disclosed to any of her previous employers.
Anxious to change the subject, she thought of one that would surely divert the duke. “I thought we were to discuss Kit’s studies, not the matrimonial misadventures of my friends and me. Are you satisfied with his progress so far? Since he is not present, you may speak candidly.”
To Leah’s relief, her diversion succeeded. “I would tell you the same thing, whether my son were here or not, Miss Shaw. I am quite astonished at how quickly he is learning to read and do sums. I had no idea Kit was so clever.”
By now they had both finished their soup. Mr. Gibson whisked their bowls away then served the fish course, Dover sole in a white sauce seasoned with capers.
With her fork poised over the appetizing dish, Leah paused to ask Lord Northam another question. “Do you find his studies are putting a strain on his health?”
The duke took a bite of fish and chewed on it intently for several seconds. That was hardly necessary, as Leah discovered when her first bite fairly melted on her tongue.
At last His Grace spoke. “You know perfectly well his studies have done my son no harm. I have never seen him so well in...longer than I can recall. Now I suppose I must admit I was wrong so you may have the satisfaction of gloating.”
Was that what he thought of her? Leah shook her head in vigorous denial. “The only satisfaction I take is in seeing Kit do so well and seeing you have a little opportunity to rest after all the time you have spent caring for him.”
There was still a great deal to be done to give the boy and his father the kind of freedom they both deserved, but they had made a good beginning. Leah hoped the success they’d experienced might make it easier for the cautious duke to take the next step down that long road.
“I never begrudged a moment of that time,” His Grace mused aloud. “Now that I have more for myself, I scarcely know what to do with it.”
Leah consumed the last of her fish and barely resisted the temptation to lick her plate clean of the tasty sauce. “You must not spend it all on estate business. Take up some pursuits you enjoy. What sort of things did you like to do before you had a child to care for?”
His Grace considered her question as Mr. Gibson removed their plates and served a chine of beef. “I used to enjoy the company of my wife.”
Leah winced at the note of longing in his voice. Could that be part of the reason he had devoted all
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