“Two qualities we have both been obliged to acquire.”
He laughed.
Then leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
They stood together beneath the pale autumn sunlight, looking across the meadow toward the schoolhouse.
Children's voices drifted through the open windows.
Clara listened.
Julian watched her.
After a moment, he said, “I have been thinking.”
“That is always dangerous.”
He smiled.
“About our first meeting.”
Clara turned.
“The coal?”
“The coal.”
“The letters?”
“The letters.”
“The extraordinarily insulting things you said about me?”
Julian groaned.
“Must we revisit those?”
“Frequently.”
He took her hand.
“I was a complete fool.”
“Yes.”
“An arrogant fool.”
“Undoubtedly.”
“And a most unfortunate judge of character.”
“Quite.”
Julian laughed.
Then his expression softened.
“Yet you married me.”
Clara looked at him.
“I did.”
“Why?”
She pretended to consider.
“Well, Your Grace, you possessed several advantages.”
“Such as?”
“A handsome face.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“An excellent beginning.”
“A pleasant estate.”
“Indeed.”
“A respectable title.”
“Naturally.”
“And a butler who knows precisely when to interrupt.”
Julian threw back his head and laughed.
Clara joined him.
He drew her closer.
“Then I suppose I owe Pembroke everything.”
“Not everything.”
“No?”
She looked into his eyes.
“You owe him the introduction.”
Julian smiled.
“And you?”
Clara rested her hand against his chest.
“I owe him the opportunity to discover that the gentleman beneath the title was worth knowing.”
Julian kissed her.
Around them, the orchard stirred in the gentle breeze.
The little apple tree stood firmly in the fresh earth.
And from the schoolhouse came the clear sound of children laughing.
That evening, Mr. Pembroke entered the duke's study carrying a silver tray.
Upon it lay a letter from London.
Julian was seated beside the fire, reading a report from Mr. Whitford.
Clara occupied the chair opposite, examining a list of books requested by Mrs. Calder.
The butler approached.
“Your Grace.”
Julian looked up.
“Yes, Pembroke?”
“A letter for Her Grace.”
Clara extended her hand.
“Thank you.”
Mr. Pembroke bowed.
Then hesitated.
Julian noticed.
“Is something the matter?”