Ordinarily, these were things that Gerard would have checked himself, not leaving it to his staff to attend to, but today, he was finding it hard to be his normal self. In the quiet around him, he kept reliving the moment that Charlotte had run out of this house two days before.
He could almost trace in the air where they had danced across this room together, and he could mark the spot exactly where they had stood together and shared that kiss.
What a feeling, what a rush!
A shuddered breath escaped him as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and looking at that spot. She seemed to have invaded his spirit, and he could not be released from that power.
“Your Grace?” Mrs. Philips’ voice called from the doorway.
“Aye?” He cleared his throat and stood, turning to face her.
“Are you well?” she asked quietly, a look of concern etching her features.
“Perfectly well. I have nay physical ailment to complain of.”
“Yes, but it’s not always the physical ailments that baffle us so, is it?” she said with a knowing smile and walked into the room. She hurried toward him and adjusted the lapels of his frock coat. “There. You are quite the transformed gentleman since you first came to this house, you know that?”
“I am?” He chuckled at the idea, then turned to face the nearest mirror. She was right in many ways. Charlotte’s lessons had done him a world of good. He carried himself much better these days.
“Yet, I am also pleased to see you are still you, Gerard,” Mrs. Philips said softly. “You have not lost who you are. So many gentlemen lose that.”
“Thank ye. That was somethin’ I was quite determined on, to hold true to me resolutions and who I am, at heart.” He took her hand. “Thank ye, Mrs. Philips, for lookin’ out for me while I have been in London. I will return at some point to continue me business, but it may nae be for some time.”
“Then write to me and let me know when you come,” she said with a doting smile. “I shall look forward to your visit.”
He smiled at her another time, truly grateful for how kind and welcoming she had been since he had arrived at this house. As she turned and left the room, he followed her out, moving into the corridor to see that all of his bags had indeed been taken out to the carriage. He peered at the vehicle, wanting to laugh at the difference in himself.
When he had moved to London, he had brought just one bag of clothes and things with him, for it was all he had to his name. Now, he needed six portmanteaus to carry his personal effects.
When did I get that materialistic?
He laughed at himself, though he also knew he could leave it behind a moment. If he had wished to leave the six portmanteaus in London, those items were not what he would have missed.
An image of Charlotte appeared in his mind as they were waltzing together.
I will miss her.
“Gerard?” a familiar voice called.
Gerard looked away from the carriage to the bearer of that voice. Jeffrey was hurrying up the road on foot. He had mud up his trousers, after an evidently energetic walk that morning, with a great smile on his face. The occasional person from thetoninthe street turned and looked at him, dismissive of Jeffrey’s loud voice and the mud on his clothes.
Gerard laughed and hurried out of the door to greet his friend.
“I had to come and say goodbye, didn’t I?” Jeffrey said, moving toward him and extending his hand. They shook hands, warmly. “How long will your journey take to Scotland?”
“A few days. Maybe a week if we take it slowly.”
“Goodness. What a journey.” Jeffrey chuckled and shook his head. “I shall look forward to the adventure when I come to visit you.”
“Ye will come?” Gerard asked, trying to hide the hope in his voice. When he had first mooted the idea of a visit to Jeffrey, he had thought it impossible. After all, Edinburgh was so far from London.
“Of course, I’ll come.” Jeffrey laughed. “Not only do we have more business to attend to together, but I’m desirous to see the place after hearing how much you have talked about it. I shall look forward to my visit greatly indeed.”
“Thank ye.” Gerard smiled.
“Your Grace?” Mrs. Philips called from behind him. “Everything is set for when you are ready.”
He moved toward the carriage, with Jeffrey following him.
