The Duke's Secluded Bride (Marriage by Fairytale Book 5) Page 3

  The three offered their greetings, and Baldwin returned it before he sat down.

  Beatrice poured tea into his cup and asked, “Did you have a good trip?”

  “I did.” Baldwin accepted the cup from her. “Andrew was nice to offer to hire a coachman to bring my carriage here.”

  “My son cares very much for everyone’s comfort,” Beatrice replied with a warm smile. She sat back in her chair and clasped her hands in her lap. “I heard you playing an instrument this morning. Was it the flute?”

  Baldwin finished taking a sip of the peppermint tea and shook his head. “No. It was a clarinet. Forgive me for playing so early. I didn’t realize anyone would hear me. I hope I didn’t wake you.”

  “No, you didn’t wake any of us. We all wake early. I heard you because I happened to be passing your bedchamber on my way down here.”

  That was a relief. He’d hate to think that he was disturbing their sleep. It wouldn’t be good to start his life in their family knowing he had annoyed them.

  “I had no idea you played music,” Andrew spoke up, his expression letting Baldwin know he received immense pleasure from learning this. “Plato said, ‘Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue.’ I can think of fewer things in this world that are nobler than the pursuit of music.”

  “We hope you’ll delight us by playing for us in the future,” Holly said.

  “Yes, it would be wonderful if you would,” Beatrice added. “The little I heard was absolutely beautiful. There was such joy in it.”

  “I don’t make it a habit of playing in front of others,” Baldwin began, flattered by the lady’s kind words, “but I’d be honored to play some music for everyone in this room.”

  “Excellent,” Andrew replied. “I was hoping you’d play for us.”

  “Can he play today?” Holly asked, glancing at Andrew.

  Andrew shook his head. “I’m afraid his schedule is full today. He’ll be going for a horseback ride after we eat, and then he’ll have to get ready for the wedding. I’m sure he’ll want to spend time with Dinah before they marry.”

  Baldwin noticed the disappointment on Holly’s face. If he wasn’t so anxious to get to know Dinah, he would have agreed to play today.

  “Perhaps tomorrow will be a suitable time for him to play,” Andrew suggested then looked at Baldwin. “I don’t wish to take you away from your bride, but do you think she might spare you for a couple of hours on this side of the manor tomorrow morning?”

  Baldwin hadn’t been sure how things would work once he married Dinah, but from this comment, he realized Andrew expected him to live in the other wing of the manor once the vows were exchanged. He supposed that meant he would have to come over here by himself if Dinah didn’t want to join him.

  “I’d be happy to play tomorrow,” Baldwin replied.

  The others smiled in anticipation. Baldwin was impressed with their love of music. Sure, he’d come across those who enjoyed music, but he sensed they appreciated music on a deeper level. There was something magical about playing an instrument that could sweep someone up into a high state of emotion. He looked forward to playing for them. It would be a treat.

  “When you’re riding the horse, be careful when you reach the ravine,” Clarence spoke up. “It’s deeper than it looks.”

  “That’s not true,” Andrew said. “It’s only a meter deep.”

  “It didn’t feel that way when my horse stepped in it,” Clarence replied. “I fell off the horse and broke my legs. That thing is deeper than it looks.” He turned his gaze back to Baldwin. “Make sure you avoid the path near the trees. It’s best to be safe. You won’t run into problems anywhere else.”

  “Thank you for the warning,” Baldwin said. “I’m sorry about your legs.” That had to be rough. He had wondered if the gentleman was in a wheelchair because he was born that way or because he’d suffered from an accident. He didn’t know which would have been worse. Either way, it was terrible he had to be in one at all.

  “That’s what I get for not being careful.” Clarence didn’t make eye contact with Baldwin as he said that. He just adjusted the blanket around his legs.

  Holly patted his arm affectionately. “The important thing is you’re still here with us.”

  Baldwin smiled at the gesture. Every time he saw a couple who offered support to one another in such a way, it gave him hope he might enjoy that kind of companionship someday.

  The butler came into the room and announced that the morning meal was ready.

  Andrew rose to his feet first and told Baldwin, “Sometimes we eat in here, but most of the time, we go to the dining room. It depends on my mood.”

  The others only nodded as if to lend agreement to what he’d just said. Everyone had an orderly way of leaving the room. Andrew took his mother by the arm to escort her out. The butler wheeled Clarence after them. Since Holly had no one to escort her, Baldwin offered her his arm, and she accepted it with a smile to indicate her thanks. He supposed this was the way everything was run around here. Andrew and his family, it seemed, enjoyed order and extremely clean rooms. He wondered if Dinah was the same way.

  ***

  After he ate, Baldwin changed into his riding clothes. When he made it out to the stables, he saw that Andrew was already waiting for him.

  “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting for long,” Baldwin said.

  “No, you didn’t keep me waiting at all. I just got here.” Andrew waved for him to follow him farther into the stables. “You can have your pick of any horse.” He gestured to the rows of stalls where the horses were either eating or watching him in interest.

  Baldwin scanned the ten animals, surprised there should be so many. These weren’t even the horses that had brought him to this estate.

  As if he could read his mind, Andrew said, “The other horses are on the other side of the stable.” He gestured again to the horses in front of them. “Do any of these pique your interest?”

  “They all look like fine horses,” Baldwin replied, slightly overwhelmed by the selection. Their coats were all shiny. They were healthy. They were alert and eager for a ride. “I don’t know which one to pick. Which one do you recommend?”

  “Since you’re asking me,” Andrew began as he scanned the row of horses, “I think that one will suffice for a pleasant ride around the property.”

  Baldwin followed his gaze to the beautiful brown horse that snorted, as if pleased it’d been selected. He smiled. “I have a feeling I’ll enjoy riding him.”

  Andrew motioned to the stablemaster to get the horse ready. “I know you will. All of these horses are well-trained.” He clasped his hands behind his back and walked down a couple of stalls then told the stablemaster, “I’ll ride this one today.”

  In short time, they were taking their horses out of the stables.

  Andrew led Baldwin around the property. He started with the edge of the property that gave them an overall view of the land. Baldwin took note of the trees that were grouped together on the west side. That was where poor Clarence had fallen off his horse. He would remember to watch for the ravine that had tripped his horse if Andrew decided to lead him in that direction.

  He turned his attention to the west wing of the manor. That was where Dinah was. He wondered if she was looking out one of the many windows. Did she know he had arrived last night?

  What a silly question. Of course, she did. Someone at this estate had certainly gone to tell her that he was here. She was expecting her brother to get her a husband, after all.

  Andrew proceeded to lead Baldwin through the property, working on the outer edges of it first and then slowly working their way toward the manor.

  Baldwin resisted the urge to go right up to the manor. Specifically, he was interested in the west side of it. Would he get a glimpse of his future bride if he got close?

  “What do you think?” Andrew asked as they skirted the area where the trees stood.

  Thankful Andrew wasn’t going to take him close to the ravine, he said, “Everything looks like a painting. It doesn’t seem real.” Baldwin laughed. “If I didn’t know I was awake, I’d swear I was dreaming. I make sure my estate is cared for, but even I don’t produce this effect.”

  “I don’t do the work. The servants do, and the servants know how I like things to look.”

  “They do a marvelous job.”

  “They do, which is why I pay them more than what most gentlemen would.”

  Considering the wealth Andrew possessed, Baldwin didn’t doubt that was true. He had known Andrew had significant money, but it wasn’t until he came here and saw all of the fine things the gentleman owned that he realized just how wealthy he was.

  “We have gardens for fresh vegetables, and in their season, the trees produce fruits for just about any recipe,” Andrew said as they rode toward the manor. “This time of year, things are well preserved.”

  Baldwin glanced back at the trees. Did the servants go out to those trees to pick the fruits? Was that wise considering what happened to Clarence?

  He wasn’t sure if he should mention that or not. It probably wasn’t his business. The servants were familiar with the grounds. Certainly, they knew where the ravine was.

  They rode on in silence for a good twenty minutes, going at a leisurely pace. Finally, they rode up along the wall of the manor. This was the west side of it. Dinah was somewhere around here. He looked at the windows as they passed, but the drapes were shut.

  He was ready to sigh in disappointment when he glanced up and noticed strands of long brown hair falling from one of the windows on the second floor. His heart leapt in his throat. It had to be
Dinah. He couldn’t see her face from where he was. He was too close to the wall of the manor. If only he was further away. He guessed she was trying to catch a glimpse of him and her brother if she was leaning so far out of the window that he could see her hair.

  He was ready to suggest they ride further away from the manor so he could get a glimpse of her, but the hair went back into the window. Then he heard the window shut. What a shame. He would have like to see her or call out a greeting.

  “When will I get a chance to meet your sister?” Baldwin asked, turning his attention back to Andrew.

  Andrew grinned. “Are you anticipating seeing her?”

  Despite the warmth that rose up in his face, he admitted, “It’s not every day a gentleman meets the lady he will marry.”

  “An excellent point. I’m so used to gentlemen lamenting the fact that they have to marry in order to have an heir that I keep forgetting you’re not reluctantly doing this. Since you want to meet her, I’ll speak with Dinah once we’re done with this horseback ride. In the meantime, you’ll take a bath and get dressed.”

  “I think I saw her looking out the window just a moment ago. I know this sounds like something a lad would do, but can we go over there and see if she’s still there?” He gestured to the section of the grass that would give them a good vantage point of the windows on this side of the manor.

  Andrew frowned. “You saw her?” He glanced up. “How is that possible? I can’t see the windows on the upper floor from this angle.”

  “I didn’t see her face. I just saw hair. She must have been leaning out to get a look at us.” As an afterthought, he added, “She must have a lot of hair in order for it to fall out of the window like that.”

  Andrew glanced up again then laughed. “I think you’re imagining things. She doesn’t have hair that long.”

  “No, I saw hair. It might not have been hers. It could have been someone else’s. Maybe a maid.”

  “Yes, that’s what you saw. One of the maids has long hair. Though why she would let it drape out of the window like that is peculiar.” With a smile, he shrugged. “Who can tell why a maid does what she does? My guess is that she’s bored.”

  “That could be.”

  “I suppose we’ve seen enough of the grounds,” Andrew said. “Let’s get these horses to the stables then you won’t have much longer to wait to meet your bride.”

  Baldwin’s heartbeat picked up in excitement as he followed Andrew to the stables.

  Chapter Four

  Dinah huddled between the wardrobe and the wall of an old room that hadn’t been used for a long time. She rarely made it a habit of coming in here. Once a year, several maids would clean the section of this manor that was safe for her to use, but it’d been months since they had come to this room. Even now she was trying to wipe a cobweb that had gotten into her hair when she came here to hide from the creature she’d heard outside.

  Don’t think about it. It didn’t see you. You didn’t even see it. All you did was hear it. You’ll be all right. It can’t hurt you if you don’t see it.

  She exhaled a shaky breath and renewed her effort to get the cobweb out of her light brown hair. Usually, she wore it in a braid. It was much easier to care for when it was in a braid, but she had taken the time to wash it that morning. Her hair reached her ankles, and it took considerable time to dry it out. The breeze from outside always helped in this matter. So she had opened the window, sat against the wall, and let her hair hang out of the window. She’d done it so many times in the past that she had no reason to think she’d hear a strange sound under the window today.

  She couldn’t quite make out what it was, though there was something familiar about it. She had the distinct feeling that she’d heard it as a child. It might be safe. It was possible the thing wasn’t one of the creatures.

  But then, what if it had been? And what if it had noticed her hair?

  She shivered and cowered further into the corner which served as her hiding place whenever she got scared. She never hid in her bedchamber or in the library. Those rooms were too frequently used. They were the first places a creature would look.

  She managed to get the cobweb out of her hair. She pulled the rest of her hair onto her lap and waited for any indication that something had found its way into her sanctuary.

  All was silent.

  She shifted around the wardrobe and peered around the old room. The bed, the dresser, and the desk and chair were just as they should be. She’d left the door open so she could see into the hallway that was lit by the sunlight. Everything looked normal out there.

  After a moment, she got to her feet and let her hair fall in soft waves behind her. She took a step forward. Then another. And another.

  Stay silent. Remember to breathe. Go slow.

  These were tricks to make sure a creature didn’t know she was nearby.

  She was probably all right. She was sure she got her hair back inside before that thing moving under the window noticed her.

  She walked down the hall, her slippers soft on the old wood floor as she made her way back to the window. She stopped a foot away from it. It was secure. She’d closed it all the way.

  She took a deep breath. Did she dare open it and look down to see if the creature was still there?

  “Dinah?” her brother called out.

  She jumped and turned toward the voice. It came from the first floor. Her brother had returned from London!

  “I’m up here,” she called out to him as she ran down the hall.

  By the time she reached the stairs, he was almost on her floor. She waited for him to reach her and hugged him.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered.

  “You’re shaking. Did something frighten you?” he asked as he patted her back in a comforting manner.

  She pulled away from him and nodded. “I think I heard one of those creatures.”

  He offered her a smile, cupped her elbow in his hand, and led her back down the hall. “The creatures don’t come out during the day. I explained that.”

  “It had to be one of them. I heard something walking below the window.” Her steps slowed as she approached it. “That one.”

  “I was riding a horse over there. I suppose you couldn’t see me since I was so close to the wall.”

  “I didn’t look outside. I was too scared.” She gave him a good look. “You were riding a horse? How long have you been back from London?”

  “I came here late last night. There wasn’t time to pay you a visit before now.” He stopped and turned to face her. “Dinah, I have good news. I found someone to marry you. I know how lonely you’ve been since everyone died, and now that you’re grown up, you’re ready for a husband.”

  She frowned. “Can’t you just take me to London with you? I hate it here.”

  “You know I can’t. London is no place for a lady.”

  “But I’ve been here in this wing of the manor since I was eight.”

  “And you’re still alive, aren’t you?”

  Her hope deflated. She’d held out for the possibility she might be able to leave this place once she turned eighteen, but apparently, she’d been wishing for that in vain. She’d recalled something from her childhood that her mother once told her. It had something to do with her going to London for an event called a ‘Season’. The problem was that the conversation had happened when she was six or seven. She couldn’t remember the details.

  “Wouldn’t you like to have someone who’ll be here with you?” Andrew asked.

  “Can’t you be here?”

  “I’m afraid I can’t. Not as often as you’d like. Someone has to take care of the estate and make sure the servants are doing their jobs. The maids need to come in and clean the rooms once in a while, and they need to leave your meals at the entrance of the door downstairs every day.”

  “Yes, I know, and I’ve been careful not to get in their way as you’ve instructed me.”