I pursed my lips, still hesitant. “I will, on one condition.”
He nodded, looking at me expectantly.
“That there will be no more of this wall between us.” I gestured to the space that separated him and me. “I can’t tell you how hurt I’ve been by your aloofness.” I eased out a breath, grateful to finally have a chance to voice the truth. “I’ve missed your friendship.”
Though he tried to hide it, he winced at the word. Yet he nodded. “I promise. My behavior was . . . well, I daresay I have suffered for it more than you.” He extended his arm with a smile, and I took it, though I feared my own smile was less convincing.
But there was no sense in holding a grudge. Robert was my only friend here, and the next two weeks would be lonesome indeed if I kept him at arm’s length for some ill-conceived notion of protecting my pride. “Just to be clear, I shan’t forgive you for letting Hugh bully me into a tour of the gardens,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “Especially when there is a whole castle to be explored.”
Robert’s face went slack with relief, as if he now felt certain those dark weeks of estrangement were behind us. “I promise to make it up to you, but I can’t this afternoon. I have already committed to go fishing.”
I shook my head. “Very well. This afternoon I shall explore on my own.”
Robert covered my hand that rested on his arm. “Don’t pretend to be disappointed. We both know very well you prefer a good adventure on your own.”
A half smile graced my lips. “There may be a few rooms and corridors that have caught my interest.” And one particular gentleman, though I kept that thought to myself.
“And what do you make of Lady Ellen so far?” Robert asked, motioning to where Hugh walked with her up ahead.
“I have very little to go off of, but Hugh seems taken. There is no doubt she’s lovely.”
Robert nodded. “I like her well enough. It’s her mother and grandmother who make me uneasy,” he admitted. “Did you know the dowager duchess still goes riding almost every day? She came up behind me this morning as I was returning to the stables before breakfast. I nearly fell off my horse when I saw who it was.”
I laughed at the image. “That is quite impressive for someone of her age. But she and the duchess seemed polite enough at last night’s dinner. I cannot imagine that either one of them is more intimidating than your own mother.” I had lived with Aunt Agnes for almost ten years, and she still often frightened me.
“Yes, but Mother is . . . Mother.”
“Not to Lady Ellen. It seems both she and Hugh may have to marry into families with formidable matrons.”
Robert gave a little shrug. “I suppose you are right. Is it—?” He looked as though he wanted to say something more but then thought better of it. “I have no sense of the size of these grounds.” He motioned toward the scenery around us. “How long do you think we’ve been out here?”
I grimaced. “The better question is how much longer we shall be forced to continue.”
He drew me into conversation, and we fell into our old, easy way, laughing and talking. We discussed the journey here, the grandeur of the castle, and my distaste for manicured gardens. But I could not bring myself to speak of my encounter with the duke.
At last Lady Ellen guided us back to the castle. Her cheeks were flushed with a rosy hue, and I couldn’t tell if it was from the brisk autumn air or her time spent in Hugh’s company.
Once inside we parted ways—Lady Ellen up to rest and Hugh and Robert to their rooms to change for their fishing excursion. I felt almost giddy with the thought of being left to myself. Now was the perfect time to explore the castle.
No one had specifically mentioned whether we were free to roam, but last evening had proven yesterday’s tour to be deeply inadequate. I had never stayed anywhere half so large, and I liked the idea of getting lost in the labyrinth of corridors.
And, if I was honest with myself, I would admit to a small hope that I might meet the duke again.
Chapter Three
From our walk this morning, I had surmised that the castle had four main floors, and I decided to start at the top. Even at midday the stairwell was poorly lit, with small windows that let in only narrow slivers of light. I had to watch my footing with care. The stairs between the third and fourth level were quite steep, so by the time I reached the top of the fourth floor, my legs burned and my lungs begged for air. The towers were higher still. I would save those for another day.
I stopped for a moment to rest, peering out one of the larger windows in the corridor, trying to orient myself. The view from so high up was breathtaking. The castle was set on a hill, and from this height, I could see all the way out to the sea. It sparkled in the afternoon sun, calm and still, stretching out to the horizon. Unending. Constant. No wonder my father had loved it so.
But my curiosity didn’t allow me to stay still for long. I moved from one passageway to the next, quickly passing over the servants’ quarters. Pushing open a large wooden door on the east side of the castle revealed the kind of sanctuary every child dreams of. There were children’s books and painted wooden blocks. Old children’s drawings hung on the wall, curling at the corners and yellowed with age. A regiment of dusty soldiers stood at attention. To my delight, the nursery took up a whole
