“Thank you, Your Grace, but we are intruding, as it is late. Still, you ought to know we didn’t come empty-handed,” he said, reaching into a basket he’d placed on the ground earlier.
His wife joined his side. “We wanted to express our gratitude for all you’ve done for us. So we went to the market today and had something made for you. It took all afternoon, that is why we are so late.”
Sally stepped beside him and watched Mr. Keller pull out two intricately woven hearts.
“Because you just got married!” The Keller’s son announced, sending a red tinge up Leonard’s cheeks.
“Thank you, Mr. Keller, Mrs. Keller. This means a great deal to both of us,” he said. Sally nodded in agreement, her eyes shining. Sally’s gratitude spilled forth as she thanked the Kellers for their thoughtful gift.
“We truly appreciate your kind gesture,” she said. Leonard noted that both had each used the word ‘we’ as they spoke as if they had become a unit despite his attempts to keep it from happening.
“Your generosity has meant the world to us,” he replied earnestly. “Without your help, I do not know what might have happened to my family.”
Bessie’s innocent voice broke through the conversation. “My friends said that Dukes can be really mean,” she blurted out, her eyes wide with apprehension. “But that’s not true!”
“Bessie, it is impolite to speak without being called on,” Mr. Keller gently chided her.
But Bessie remained resolute. “It’s true!” she insisted. “My friend Grace said her master threw them off their estate because they had a bad time. But you would never.” She turned to her mother. “His Grace is a lovely man, and Her Grace is an angel, just like the lady in the painting,” she added with conviction.
Leonard’s heart swelled at Bessie’s words, her smile soft and reassuring. “Thank you, Bessie. That’s very kind of you to say,” he replied, bending so he was eye-to-eye with the child.
Leonard’s gaze softened as he listened to Bessie’s heartfelt words, a sense of longing for his mother gripping him. Mr. Keller’s smile widened as he looked down at his daughter, a glimmer of pride in his eyes.
“Well, you’re not wrong, Bessie,” he agreed. “We’ve been fortunate to have such gracious noblemen looking after us.”
“Indeed, we have been lucky. Especially since the late Duke passed away. One never knows who will inherit and how things might change but with you, Your Grace, we need not have worried. You are so much like your father it is sometimes as if he was still with us,” she said.
“I heard so many wonderful things about His Grace’ parents; it is a shame I did not have a chance to get to know them better,” Sally said, and then, she and the Kellers slipped into a conversation about the one topic Leonard never wanted to hear about - his father.
As the Kellers reminisced about the late Duke, Leonard’s heart sank. Each time they compared him to his father, he felt as though a knife had been plunged into his heart. He took short, sharp breaths, steadying himself as he heard how wonderful his father was and how well loved.
He wanted to tell them they were wrong; they didn’t know him. He didn’t know him. He wanted to beg them, no order them, to stop comparing him to his father, but he remained silent.
The smile remained plastered on his face while he listened, knowing he could not allow himself to show his discomfort. However, as they spoke, he understood one thing - he had been wrong to let down his guard. No matter how much he adored Sally now and how comfortable he was in her presence, he had to stick to his original plan, for the Kellers were right.
He was like his father, if he wanted to or not. He carried his father’s blood and was almost bound to repeat his mistakes. No, he had to stay away from her for the good of Sally and himself. When the honeymoon was over, he would board a ship to Portugal - and ensure he did not return until necessary. And even then, he’d make it clear to Sally that nothing had changed.
They were not, nor would they ever be, a happy couple in love. No matter how much his heart now ached for it.
He had to protect her - even if this meant protecting her from himself.
CHAPTER20
Sally
The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the breakfast table where Sally patiently awaited Leonard’s arrival. The sunbeams tickled her nose and she let out a rather undignified sneeze, though quickly recovered. The room was filled with the delightful aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sweet scent of blooming flowers from the nearby garden, creating a serene atmosphere. A spread of fruits, pastries, and steaming porridge adorned the table.
Sally smiled, feeling much less burdened by her conflicted feelings this morning. Leonard had allowed her to set free emotions and fears she had been forced to hold in for years. She’d let it all out with him, and he hadn’t judged her. He hadn’t dismissed her or made her feel small. If anything, he’d made her feel protected as if he cared. As if he cared forher. Could it be that not only had the ice thawed between them but that something might be blooming?
Dare I dream of such a possibility? Dare I dream that perhaps he and I can have something special yet?
Some part of her wished the Kellers hadn’t come the night before. Their visit had changed the air between them significantly. It had been nice to have them there, and the heart they’d brought them was beautiful.
Yet, it could not be denied that something hadn’t been the same after they’d gone. Leonard had excused himself shortly after their departure and gone to his chamber, claiming fatigue. Was he uncomfortable with what had been said? She would understand if that was the case. To be certain, it had been a little strange to be told by people they didn’t know well that they were such a lovely couple and that they reminded them of the late Duke and Duchess…. It had to have been hard for Leonard to hear.
As Leonard finally entered the room, she raised her eyes, greeting him warmly. However, it was clear from the second he stepped through the door that something was amiss; something bothered him.
His eyes had dark circles under them, and his skin looked pale, like he hadn’t slept well.
