For the Heart of a Roguish Duke by Harriet Caves

Chapter Sixteen

“What will people say if they see us promenading together, Your Grace?” Scarlet twirled her umbrella as she and Alexander walked in the park. It was a dull, gray day and it seemed like it might rain. Although it was quite warm.

“They will say nothing because they will see a Ward and her Guardian talking amiably in the park. We do live in the same household, why would they think we are more than that?” Alexander gave Scarlet a naughty grin.

“And if they found out what we did while in the Manor?” This was said in a quieter tone, almost a whisper.

Alexander replied, “Then, Miss Snow, we would marry, of course. I would not let you be defiled by society for my actions.”

“That is quite gallant of you, I must say,” Scarlet said. No more was said on the subject of marriage. Perhaps it was a good thing.

“What do you make of Lady Daisy and Lord Thomkins courting? Does it please you?” Scarlet glanced in the Duke’s direction.

“I am overjoyed, being pleased does not cover the extent of my feelings about two people who are right for each other. I was not interested in Lady Daisy, so it is all worked out for the better.”

And I am glad too. I didn’t want Daisy to be associated with you romantically.

“Your Grace, I was wondering if you could help me in looking for my parents,” she spoke.

Alexander looked at her in concern. “Why do you want to find out, all of a sudden? It was my uncle, wasn’t it? He planted that thought in your mind.”

“You are angry now,” Scarlet observed his rapid reaction, which she hadn’t expected. “I apologize for speaking of it.”

“Oh, My Dear Miss Snow,” he began. Scarlet had never heard him call her ‘My Dear Miss Snow’, and it made her feel lighter and happier.

“I am certainly not angry with you, why would I be? I am angry at my uncle for interfering. He is up to something, I am certain and that is why he wanted to know about your background. You are different, you want to know who your mother and father are. That is acceptable,” Alexander continued.

“That is a relief,” Scarlet gave a nervous laugh. “I am partial to an amiable life, I hate to be in conflict with anyone. Can I presume you will help me find them?” Scarlet was hopeful.

“I will make it my duty,” the Duke replied.

“When I first met you… not in the library—” Scarlet stopped, and blushed. The Duke also colored a little.

“I must apologize for that, I don’t believe I have,” he said.

“You are a rake, aren’t you, Your Grace? It is in your nature to do things a rake would do,” said Scarlet.

“Yes, I believe it is,” Alexander’s tone was one of demure and silk as he said it. Scarlet could only imagine what was going through his mind as hers was. “You were saying something?”

“Ah, yes, I will amend what I have to say,” said Scarlet. “When I met you in your father’s study the first time, I didn’t expect we would be friends, let alone anything else. I quite disliked you.”

“Did you? I must confess you did irritate me too,” Alexander smiled. “How time has changed the both of us.”

“I quite agree.” Scarlet turned her head and saw someone familiar. “Is that your cousin?”

“So it is,” Alexander said. “George, it is a lovely surprise to see you.”

“Good day Miss Snow, Cousin,” said George. He didn’t seem to be happy to see them. “I wasn’t aware you two were courting.”

“We are not courting, what makes you say such a thing?” Alexander said, pretending to be unaware that he and Scarlet could be anything but friends.

“I have heard rumors from the ton, and so I believed it,” said George.

“I can assure there is no such alliance between I and His Grace. We are merely promenading this afternoon. Why must it be a bold statement?” said Scarlet.

She observed George Hargreave. He appeared to be jealous as he set his jaw. He avoided her eyes. “Are you alone, George?” Alexander asked.

“I have come here to think. Mother is trying to stop me from visiting Miss Snow, although I have no idea why she would do that. Now, seeing the two of you, perhaps it is a good point to stay away, it will only break my heart.”

“You are being melodramatic, Cousin,” said Alexander. Scarlet could see he was trying to not laugh. She hid her smile too. “I am certain you can visit us anytime you like.”

The Duke said, ‘visit us’ and not ‘visit me’. What does that mean? Does he see us as a couple?

Apparently, George noticed it too. “Why did you say, ‘us’ and not ‘Miss Snow’?” he inquired. “What can I presume by this?”

Alexander stared at George. “It means what I said earlier. Miss Snow and I live in the same Manor. So, naturally you would visit us and not only her, is that correct?”

“Mr. Hargreave, how lovely to see you!” a tall woman called. She was a little taller than George, but not too handsome.

George leaned away a little, he seemed to be quite appalled. “Lady Charnwood,” he said. “What coincidence it is to meet you here.”

“Well, I am glad. We seem to miss each other when I visit your townhome,” Lady Charnwood batted her eyelids and dropped her handkerchief.

George ignore it. Lady Charnwood stared and eventually picked it up. Putting her nose in the air, she walked away. Scarlet burst into a fit of laughter, which Alexander followed.

“I don’t see how this is comical,” George said, quite clearly offended.

“Lady Charnwood is infatuated with you, Mr. Hargreave,” Scarlet said. “I am quite astonished you didn’t offer to amuse her.”

“She is not what I want in a wife, most certainly not. Now, if you excuse me, I will leave your company.” George gave a nod of his head, and he was on his way.

“What a peculiar day we are having,” Scarlet said.

“Do you realize my cousin is in love with you, Miss Snow?” Alexander turned his direction toward the carriages.

“I am certain he is not,” Scarlet said.

“Then, can you explain his frequent visits? They are not for social purposes I can assure you.”

“I could say the same thing about Lady Daisy”

“What do you mean?” asked the Duke.

“Why, she is also a frequent visitor, and she doesn’t come to see me,” Scarlet told him.

“It looks like we both have unwelcome admirers,” said Alexander.

They arrived at the carriage and climbed in, both in deep in thought. “Do you think we will find our Lady and suitor?” Scarlet asked as the carriage began to roll toward home.

“I cannot say anything about me, but I can assure you, you will find yours,” Alexander replied.

* * *

Alexander and Horace rode around to the farm to meet the new tenants. With regret he learned the previous tenant had died leaving his widow and daughter behind. They couldn’t afford to run the farm and were forced to sell, going back to their village in the north.

“Who are the new tenants?” Horace asked.

“A newly married couple,” Alexander guided his horse around a corner. “They say they have experience in running a farm, although I don’t see how. They have never owned one.”

“I hope these people last then,” Horace said. He stopped his horse as Alexander got off his.

The new tenants came out of the farmhouse. “Your Grace,” they said with a bow and a curtsy. “We are grateful to meet you.”

“As am I,” said Alexander. “Have you settled in well?”

“We think so and we are very excited,” said the man who looked to be quite young and inexperienced.

“I am pleased to hear that. If you require any guidance, please come and see me,” Alexander smiled. “I hope all the papers are in order?”

“Yes, they are, Your Grace,” the man confirmed.

“Very well, we will be on our way.”

Alexander and Horace rode out of the farm. “As I suspected. They are amateurs. I will have to keep a close eye out for this one. If the farm suffers, so will the payments.”

“But you could help them if they needed it?” Horace looked to his friend.

“That is one thing I always do, give my tenants a helping hand if need be,” Alexander said.”

“If all Dukes cared about their tenants as you, England would be a much better place. You are very kind,” Horace complimented him.

“And you flatter me,” Alexander said with a smile. “In other news from the ton, I hear you are courting Lady Daisy now?”

“You have heard that correctly. Why is that a surprise?” asked Horace.

“I must admit, it is. But I am glad at last she has found you or to be correct, you have found her. Her flirtatious character was becoming quite a pressing thing! Anyway, you and Lady Daisy make a good couple.”

“I don’t know if I should take that as a compliment or an attack on my character,” Horace laughed.

“It was not a personal attack, and I should be sorry if that was how it came across, dear friend.”

“Not at all. Now, I would like to talk to you about your Ward and the relationship she has with you.”

“How do you mean?” Alexander raised an eyebrow.

“I believe you are in love with the woman.”

“How absurd. We are more acquaintances than friends, and nothing more than that!” said Alexander, but he had a glint of happiness in his eye.

“Do tell me and answer me truthfully. Why do you smile when Miss Snow is with you or around you? Why do you stare at her and become jealous when another man converses with her?” Horace quizzed.

“Is that what I do?” Alexander rode farther ahead.

Horace shook his head in amazement, “Yes, and you cannot deny it.” He urged his horse to be in line with his friend.

“I was not aware of my actions,” said Alexander as Horace came back in his view. “Besides, I have other challenges that I need to make right.”

“Such as?”

“Miss Snow is distraught. I will tell you this in confidence. Will you keep it to yourself?” Alexander asked his friend.

“I shall. What you say will stay with me,” Horace said sincerely.

“All right. Miss Snow wants to find her real parents, and she has asked for my help. I just don’t know if she should want that trouble. I fear that her real parents might be dead. It would be devastating to her,” said Alexander.

“I did not expect that kind of dilemma. This will be difficult work on your part, trying to find two parents who perhaps chose to be anonymous. I do not envy your position.”

“What do you suggest I do, Horace? Do you believe my aunt would know anything about this?” Alexander stopped. They were now back at the stables.

“I do wish I could give you the answer to that,” Horace gave his reins to the stable boy.

“If she did, I would like to find out the secrecy behind it,” Horace walked back into the Manor with Alexander.

“There has to be a very good reason,” Alexander said as they headed into the drawing room. He poured some port for the both of them.

“Indeed,” said Horace. The men seemed to be in deep thought.

“Perhaps your aunt and uncle don’t know anything about this?” asked Horace finally.

“My uncle doesn’t for certain as he asked me to look through my father’s study for any information on Miss Snow,” Alexander said.

“Then we are back at the beginning of the dilemma,” said Horace.

* * *

“As you know I am unaware of Miss Snow’s background and of her parents,” Terence said as he walked up and down the drawing room with his arms behind his back. “Why should your aunt know anything and why should you be interested now, when you clearly refused to find any information when I asked?”

“I admit I wasn’t interested then,” Alexander said. “I apologize sincerely when I dismissed your request. It got me thinking, perhaps my mother may have mentioned something to Aunt Ingrid, after you married?”

Ingrid seemed to be a little uncomfortable. “I’m afraid your mother didn’t tell me anything, My Dear.”

“All right, so you don’t know anything about her background,” said Alexander. “I accept it. But where should I go and find out about her if I could, will you help me?”

“You could ask at the orphanages,” suggested Ingrid helpfully. “They keep a list of names of all the children that have come and gone. The nuns are very particular about that.

“That seems like a sound idea,” said Alexander, feeling a little happier and more hopeful for a good outcome.

“Or perhaps you could try asking around the villages in this area. People have a long memory, and someone may remember an unwanted child,” said Ingrid.

“That is what we will do,” said Alexander. “I am grateful for your time.”