“Your devotion to your father’s legacy is most admirable. May I ask if it has been long since your father passed?”
“No, no, he hasn’t passed, thank heavens. But, unfortunately, he is no longer in a condition to work or run the business. But I thank you for your concern nonetheless, Your Grace.”
Anthony froze. The looks on Meredith and Mrs. Oakley’s faces indicated that they were as stunned as he was.
Mr. Lockhart simply smiled.
“Yes, I know you’re not really a stable boy, Your Grace. And Meredith, I am a bit upset you found it necessary to attempt to deceive me into thinking so.”
Meredith stepped forward.
“I’m sorry, Ian. But we couldn’t allow Anthony’s— that is, His Grace’s identity to become known.”
“Yes, I realized just as much. But come now, you know I’m not a moron, Mere. Did you really think I wouldn’t recognize his upper class diction and inflection? Or would I ignore how his complexion is clearly far too fair to indicate he has been working in a stable?”
It was as though Mr. Lockhart was throwing a bucket of ice-cold water on all of their faces. All this time, Anthony thought that his disguise was most convincing.
“I noticed his uneasiness with the food at the inn and the refined manner in which he handled my wine glasses,” continued Mr. Lockhart. “Indeed, I’ve seen enough members of polite society waltz into my shop and mill around them in the exact same manner. You might be dressed like a commoner today, Your Grace, but everything you do—from the way you stand, to the way you smile—gives you away.”
The rest of the interaction was blurry and fuzzy in Anthony’s recollection, for Meredith had intervened at that point with the aim of restoring peace. She pulled Mr. Lockhart off to the side and conversed with him for a minute or so.
Having concluded their private discussion, Meredith and Mr. Lockhart rejoined Anthony and Mrs. Oakley.
“Thank you very much, Ian, for a lovely time. However, we have a long coach ride ahead of us so we must bid you goodbye for now. We wish you all the best with your newest shop.”
“Thank you, Meredith.” Mr. Lockhart tipped his hat. “May you all have a safe return journey.”
Eventually, the three of them managed to return to the spot where the coach had dropped them off several hours earlier and climbed in. The silence between the three of them was filled with the sound of horse hooves and Mr. Lockhart’s words repeatedly ringing in Anthony’s ears.
* * *
Catherine found herself fretting over His Grace’s visible dejection. Earlier this morning, he was seated in this same coach brimming with excitement about exploring Louxbridge with Miss Meyer. But now he sat before them completely deflated, perhaps from exhaustion or perhaps due to what Mr. Lockhart had said.
Catherine didn’t think Mr. Lockhart said anything particularly hurtful, he was simply stating his observations. However, it was very difficult to say exactly how the Duke had interpreted his words.
It is possible that Mr. Lockhart’s words drove home how far removed His Grace’s world and upbringing is from the world of ordinary folk. Ordinary folk like myself, Miss Meyer, or Mr. Lockhart.
At last, His Grace broke his silence.
“Mrs. Oakley, would you be willing to trade places with me?”
Catherine carefully considered his request.
Under normal circumstances, I would say no. But how can I reject such a small request after His Grace has had such a straining day?
“Certainly, Your Grace.”
Catherine watched as Miss Meyer apologized once more on Mr. Lockhart’s behalf.
“I don’t know what came over him, Anthony. I can’t believe he would say such childish things!”
His Grace seemed to merely shrug off the comments.
“It is quite all right, Meredith. His comments do not matter in the least. I daresay I was beginning to enjoy myself before he suddenly turned cold.”
She watched as Miss Meyer apologized once more on Mr. Lockhart’s behalf, how His Grace shrugged off the comments, saying that they did not matter in the least.
“Admittedly, today went in a completely different direction than I had intended it to, but I think my goals have been accomplished.”
