The Earl's Secret

“You still run with the same crowd then?” Nate smiled, obviously contemplating some of their more adventurous escapades at the university. “Ellerton and Hillgrove?”

“The same, although we behave in a much more circumspect manner now that we are older and wiser.” David laughed now. It had only been seven years since their last meeting, not a lifetime, and yet he’d changed so much he knew Nate would be shocked at the extent of it. “Perhaps we are simply older.”

“And none of you have fallen into the parson’s mousetrap?” Nate asked. The frown that had lived on his forehead disappeared as their topic turned to something more pleasant.

“The pressure is growing, but none of us have tossed the handkerchief yet. And it would appear that you have not? How does your father abide you remaining in the bachelor status?”

“I confess that there is someone, but the lady shows no sign of accepting my offer.”

The frown was back and David suspected that the expression on Nathaniel’s face bespoke of his own surprise that he had admitted to such. David held his tongue and did not ask, for he was certain that Miss Fairchild was the object of Nate’s affection and intentions. His own surprise was that she would have turned Nate down, for his title and properties alone made him a marriage target. However, knowing almost nothing about her other than her profession and that a connection existed between her and his friend, he hesitated to guess at the reasons.

At that moment, Harley knocked and announced that their meal was ready. It was a welcomed respite for David, for he did not comprehend what to say or how or if he should reveal his plans for the following morning and his visit to the castle with Miss Fairchild. It was a simple sightseeing excursion; one that would be appropriately chaperoned so no question of propriety could be raised.

As the flavor-filled aroma of food drew them into the dining room, David decided that in a matter such as this one, it would be better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission. Ever a careful fellow, he also decided to wait and determine if he needed to do either after his morning with the lovely Miss Fairchild.

Chapter Seven

“Julia, do not make me regret that I have granted you a morning of leisure from your studies.”

Anna tried to sound stern, but the effort was lost with one glance at her sister’s excited face. Usually at work with her tutor or at some task, Julia met her request to accompany Anna and Mr. Archer to the Castle with an unconcealed enthusiasm. Now, trying to draw some of that excitement under control, Anna frowned and pointed to her sister’s gloves on the desk.

“A lady always wears her gloves on an outing, Julia.”

Julia’s reaction resembled that of a child rather than the young woman she was soon to be. At twelve years of age, she had mastered many social skills but still lacked others. Reaching over and tucking an errant strand of hair under her bonnet, Anna hoped her sister would always keep that bright enthusiasm for life within her.

Something she’d not been able to do since shouldering the burdens of caring for her ailing mother and young sister at the age of eighteen. Something obliterated by the realities she faced, first in service as a governess and tutor and then in dealing with the women so much in need. Anna smiled as Julia pulled on her gloves and adjusted them into place.

The door to the office opened and Anna took a deep breath. What would her sister’s reaction to Mr. Archer be? How would the gentleman act in response to her sister’s presence as a companion? The usual custom was to have an older woman or family member to oversee such an excursion, but Anna knew that Julia would enjoy the visit to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland…again.

Turning, she faced him. The sunbeams that raced ahead of him into the doorway obscured his face from her, but manifested his muscular build and height. After closing the door, Mr. Archer removed his hat and bowed to her.

“Miss Fairchild, a pleasure to see you this morning.”

It was the polite thing to say, however, the words trickled into her heart. Sincerity permeated his voice and it was at moments like this that she wondered how he could be so caustic at other times. Well, the time had arrived to present her sister. Surely, it would reveal his true manners…or not.

“Good morning to you, Mr. Archer. May I present—” Anna stepped aside and allowed Julia to come forward “—my sister, Julia Fairchild.”

Pride coursed through her as Julia walked to Mr. Archer and did her prettiest curtsy. Anna could see his face as Julia dipped and it stunned her into speechlessness.

The first sign of any true softness covered it and—surely, she could not be seeing this—his eyes appeared to tear up as he bowed to her sister. His mouth tightened as though he struggled against the words trying to escape and his forehead gathered above those glistening eyes as he listened to Julia’s greeting.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Julia’s voice still held the lightness of tone of a girl, but her manners were impeccable. “I thank you for including me in your visit to the Castle.”

Crumbling was the word that best described what happened to his face as she watched him greet Julia. If she had glanced away at that instant, she would have missed the entire metamorphosis. His entire countenance seemed to shatter and then, a moment later, he regained control and the gentleman was back, securely in place. He cleared his throat and bowed over her sister’s hand. “The pleasure is mine, Miss Julia.”

Mr. Archer nodded at her and tugged on the door’s knob to open it. “The carriage and the Crown Jewels await us, ladies. If you please.”

Anna said nothing but continued to observe his now-guarded expression as Julia did not cease her chatter—not on the sidewalk, not as she climbed into the carriage and not even as the driver guided them into the street and toward Princes Street. When Mr. Archer did not intervene as they turned toward Queensferry Road and the alternate route to the Castle’s gate, she took pity on him and interrupted.

“Julia, please sit quietly for now and allow Mr. Archer to enjoy the ride to the esplanade.” Julia slanted her a mutinous glare, threatening to misbehave, but she must have thought better of it for she did slide back and sit quietly then.

“It is quite all right, Miss Fairchild. Miss Julia told me more about the Honours of Scotland in those few minutes than I could have learned with hours of research.” She met his gaze and found a warmth there she’d not seen before. “She reminds me in many ways of my own younger sister.”

“You have a sister, sir? I did not know. How old is she?”

He looked away for a second, the movement hidden by hitting a bump in the road and the resettling of the carriage. When he next glanced back, Anna could see how affected he was over his admission. But why?

“Amelia would be reaching the thirteenth anniversary of her birth this coming November…if she lived.”

His words were halting and rough, the pain in his voice evident to anyone listening. It was apparent now that her idea to bring her sister was clearly not a good one. Her only defense was ignorance and she hated that. Without hesitating, she reached over and placed her fingers on his hand. Even through two layers of gloves, the heat of him seeped into her.

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