Realm 05 - A Touch of Mercy (16 page)

It ripped at Aidan’s heart to think young Aaron held no memories of Susan. Although the child was but a little over two and a half years of age, Aidan made a vow to relate every recollection he held of Susan Rhodes to the boy. He would repeat the stories over and over until Aaron knew something of his mother. It was what he had always wanted the late viscount to do for him. Aidan had felt robbed of memories of his mother. It was the first time memories of family had been taken from him. Lachlan Charters had performed the task well the second time. His father had grieved for a woman by never speaking of his wife again. “Miss Purefoy is not your mother, Boy,” he said as he stroked the child’s head, “but you will find many at Lexington Arms who love you.”

A light tap at the door announced Miss Chadwick’s arrival. “You sent for me, my Lord?”

Aidan stood. “Yes, Miss Chadwick. Please join us.” He directed the timid girl to a nearby chair. “I must apologize,” he said evenly. “It has been a more difficult day than I anticipated. Yet, I pray you will share some of your ideas for my cousin’s attire with me.”

The girl’s hands were trembling, but she reached for several samples to exhibit upon a small hard polished board. “Miss Purefoy chose this one for the riding habit and this for a morning dress.”

Aidan frowned. “But that is but two garments. I had thought we had agreed upon five.”

Miss Purefoy set the boy upon his feet before saying, “My Lord, I must protest.”

The child tottered toward where Miss Chadwick displayed the other samples. “Wirates,” he squealed and reached for one of the cut squares of material.

Miss Chadwick smiled graciously. “You are very much like my brothers.” She deftly retrieved the cloth from the child’s grasp and replaced it with a small white handkerchief from the hem of her sleeve. “You must have a proper cap for your head.” She quickly tied a knot in the cloth and placed it upon the boy’s head. “You look quite dangerous,” she teased easily.

Aidan shot Mary a knowing glance, and his cousin responded with a sigh of relief. A secret smile blossomed in his heart. “Miss Chadwick,” he began slowly to gather his thoughts. “I have a proposition for you.” Aidan improvised. “Mr. Rhodes has chosen to leave Master Aaron at Lexington Arms for an extended stay, and neither my cousin nor I have any experience with children. What say you to assuming the role of Master Aaron’s nurse?”

The girl’s countenance fell immediately. “I…I…I have similar duties in my father’s house, my Lord.”

Miss Purefoy handed the child another bite of cake, which the boy instantly jammed into his mouth before waddling away to explore the room. His cousin sat forward. “What His Lordship means is not a nurse’s role,” Miss Purefoy assured. “What Lord Lexford offers is more of a…of a…”

“A lady’s companion,” Aidan added quickly. “My cousin should have a lady’s companion while she resides at Lexington Arms. I occasionally have duties which take me from the estate, and I cannot have Miss Purefoy going about the neighborhood without a proper chaperone.”

The girl’s lips thinned in a tight line. “I am not a lady, my Lord. My father is in trade.”

“But you are skilled in so many areas,” Miss Purefoy protested. “And I do not mind a bit of unconventionality. I believe we would suit well, Miss Chadwick.”

Aidan added, “My cousin means to assist me with several improvements about the manor. I am certain she could utilize your keen eye for color in her efforts to redecorate many of the rooms.”

“I could also use your assistance in making Master Aaron’s transition a smoother one,” Miss Purefoy suggested. “That is until a proper nurse may be secured for the boy.”

The child carried over a book to place in Aidan’s open palms. With what sounded like a puppy’s growl, Aaron scrambled away to find what Aidan assumed was more pirate booty. He wondered who had been the boy’s playmates at Rhodes End. Likely one of the servants. He had not thought to ask Susan’s father if the Rhodeses had hired a nurse for the child.

“How would this position benefit me?” the girl asked cautiously. “I have ambitions beyond being a nurse.”

Miss Purefoy said encouragingly, “Besides the generous wage His Lordship will provide you, I shall teach you the way of being a lady. If your dreams lie with a suitable marriage, your time in this household shall pave the way to marrying above your station.”

Aidan took up the offer. “Even if you choose to claim your own place among those who earn their livings in London’s mercantile district, what you learn from my cousin will serve you well in building your clientele. I will provide you a glowing recommendation. My associates are among England’s most influential families. You would have a ready-made list of clients.”

Mary added, “A duchess. Several countesses. A marquise.” It amazed Aidan how well Miss Purefoy understood the ploy.

To each declaration, Aidan indicated his agreement. “You will be given a room of your own close to the one Miss Purefoy occupies.”

“One as fine as the lady’s?” the girl said wistfully.

Aidan and Miss Purefoy nodded eagerly. He suspected Miss Chadwick shared her quarters in town with her siblings. “A substantial wage. An elegant room. Instruction in ladylike skills and a list of the finest families’ connections, which will serve whatever choices you make for the future in exchange for keeping my cousin company in public, assisting Miss Purefoy with her duties at Lexington Arms, and providing expertise in how best to tend a small child. What say you, Miss Chadwick?”

The girl paused in indecision, but she held his gaze. “It is only one child,” Miss Chadwick reasoned aloud. “Much improved to the four I tend now.” She watched Aaron carefully carry a china figure to Miss Purefoy. “When would I begin my position?” she said at last.

“I had hoped you would consider today as your first at Lexington Arms.”

They had spoken no more of the ruse until after he had sent the boy off for a nap with a young maid in charge and after Aidan had summoned Mr. Hill to escort Miss Chadwick to the village and to make arrangements to secure the girl’s services. Finally, they were alone, and Aidan immediately turned to apologize. “I must beg your forgiveness for my quick tongue. I should never have made declarations of your willingness to assist me with my brother’s family and to procure Miss Chadwick’s services. I should have spoken to you first. If you wish to withdraw from the occupation, I would not think poorly of you.”

The lady’s lips twitched. “How could I protest, my Lord? Obviously, I held similar thoughts.”

It had been the most miraculous moment. He and Miss Purefoy had finished each other’s sentences, as if they were of one mind. “I thought you had meant not to embarrass me,” he confessed. Aidan could say nothing of how exhilarating he found this new companionship with Miss Purefoy. Was it possible he had found someone with whom to share his successes, and perhaps his fears? A very private man, he rarely revealed his most secret thoughts, even with his friends. Only with Wellston, Crowden, and Hill had he ever spoken openly of his qualms at returning home. These were perilous waters in which he waded with Miss Purefoy.

She squirmed with her own excitement, and Aidan discovered another facet of the woman to admire. “Do not present me with borrowed feathers, my Lord,” she said teasingly.

Momentarily forgetting to keep his distance, Aidan changed his seat to sit beside her. He caught her hand and brought the back of it to his lips. Belatedly, he realized touching the girl was not the best of ideas. He could maintain his indifference when he interacted with Miss Purefoy, even in a playful manner, but when he touched her, his errant thoughts took a twist toward debauchery. “Then we will both share the blame or the glory. How should we proceed?”

Unconsciously, Miss Purefoy leaned against Aidan’s shoulder, and he turned his head to sniff the lilac scent of her hair. He could not understand why he tortured himself so, but he had fallen prey to enjoying such pleasures. “We should see to the nursery. I do not imagine it can be used until repairs and a thorough cleaning has been conducted.”

Despite how it began, she was so confident, Aidan thought it possible this craziness would turn out well. Without realizing he did so, Aidan’s thumb caressed the back of the girl’s hand. “You should likely begin your decoration of Lexington Arms’ many rooms with Master Aaron’s quarters. I was the last to leave the nursery.” He chuckled. Sitting with Miss Purefoy felt so natural. Her leaning into his body. The weight of her breast against his shoulder. Absolute perfection. “What do you suggest we do with the boy tonight?” he asked into the comfortable stillness.

A frown line crossed the lady’s forehead, and Aidan wanted to smooth it away with his fingertips. “I would not wish to leave the child alone with only a maid this evening. I am certain the lad will be missing his grandparents. Initially, Master Aaron should stay in one of our rooms.”

The fog that had clogged Aidan’s brain since planting himself beside the lady instantly evaporated. “Sleep…sleep in one of…one of our rooms,” he stammered. “Surely you jest.” When he had postured his way through his disagreement with Susan’s father, Aidan had not considered the reality of having his brother’s son parading about the house. Despite his best efforts, he stiffened.

Miss Purefoy’s frown lines became a positive scowl. “I would not jest about a child’s well being,” she said testily.

Aidan released her hand before jamming his fingers into his hair. “You do not understand,” he tersely replied, but a twinge of guilt welled up immediately.

Miss Purefoy cupped his jaw line with both hands, forcing Aidan to stare deeply into her eyes. She studied him for a moment. The girl held no concept of permitting a person his distance. She spoke freely from the heart, and the lady acted upon her impulses. Obviously, she had never known “Society,” especially the social norms regulating actions. If he were not so distressed with the reality of what he had done, Aidan would have enjoyed staring into pools of chocolate. “I do know,” she declared. “I know of your affection for Lady Lexford, and of the lady’s turning to your brother, but I also know none of what came before is Master Aaron’s doing. You cannot place the father’s indulgences upon the babe’s shoulders.” Miss Purefoy stroked his temple and brushed the curl from his forehead before saying, “It is important, my Lord, for the child to know family, to practice traditions, and to call one place ‘home.’ We each require a home, my Lord.”

God! Miss Purefoy had the most mesmerizing voice. Why could he not find a woman with even half of his sister’s charms? “Of course, we must do what is best for the child,” Aidan said dutifully.

“Master Aaron may remain with me until you have secured a proper nurse. Perhaps our Miss Chadwick can speak to someone local.”

*

Somehow, it had all come together. Full of excitement, Miss Chadwick had returned. His staff had managed to find a low trundle bed to place in Miss Purefoy’s room for the child. The lady had given orders for the staff to begin cleaning and repairing the nursery on the morrow. Mrs. Osborne led a contingent of staff, which praised Aidan for his generosity. However, he noted Mrs. Babcock and Mr. Poley were of a different mind. Aidan was not certain whether his housekeeper and valet objected to Aaron joining the household or whether their disdain rested in Miss Purefoy’s playing a major role in the child’s transition. Somehow, he thought it the latter. In truth, despite his staff’s enthusiasm, Aidan felt anything but benevolent toward his nephew; instead, he had felt trapped. Trapped by his duty to his title.

In the late evening, instead of joining him for a hand of cards, Miss Purefoy had insisted upon bringing the boy to the drawing room after supper. The lady had sprawled on the floor beside the child to build tower after tower with the wooden blocks Rhodes had sent over as part of Aaron’s belongings. Each time the tower rose from the floor, the boy took great delight in knocking it over. Yet, slowly, Miss Purefoy had coaxed Aaron to stack a few of the blocks before the boy toppled them once more. Obviously, no one had ever showered the child with so much attention. It was as if Aidan could see the boy’s mind questioning Miss Purefoy’s goodness.

A pang of guilt tightened Aidan’s chest. Sending his brother’s son to live with Rhodes had proved the best for Aidan’s broken heart, but as he watched the child’s face light up with each gesture of praise Miss Purefoy offered, Aidan wondered if he had sent the child to a home marked with love’s deprivation. He could not recall one time Susan had spoken kindly of her parents or had shared an intimate moment between mother and daughter or had praised a father for his affection. Had he made a great error in placing Andrew’s son in such a position?

With miserable concentration, Aidan had attempted to ignore the laughter coming from a cleared area before the hearth by burying his nose in a book, but he could not recall one word from the page he had never turned. Instead, he had closed his eyes and listened to Miss Purefoy’s and the child’s excited whispers. What if Susan had waited for his return from the Continent? What if his wife had agreed to share his bed? What if she had borne his children, rather than Andrew’s?

“Mama.”

Aidan opened his eyes to see the boy pointing toward the patio door and the worried look upon his sister’s countenance. “My Lord,” she whispered.

His gaze followed hers. “What is amiss?” Aidan said evenly so as not to frighten the child.

Miss Purefoy dropped her gaze to the scattered blocks, but she said softly, “A flash of color at the window.”

Aidan was on his feet immediately. “Keep Aaron close,” he instructed over his shoulder as he pulled a pocket pistol from his jacket.

Stepping into the chilly darkness, Aidan surveyed the open lawn. “Nothing,” he grumbled under his breath. Turning to the right he covered the area between the partially opened doors to where the east side of the manor met the front. He scanned each bush and tree for a colorful intruder. Finding none, he retraced his steps to examine the tree line on his left.

“A damn ghost,” he growled. “And I am tired of fighting this house’s ghosts. I mean to be free of them.”

Unsuccessful, he reluctantly returned to the drawing room. With a shake of his head, Aidan had warned away Miss Purefoy’s curiosity. He was not prepared to speak on the mystery plaguing his house. At least, someone else had seen the apparition, even if the other person was a three-year-old child.

Although obviously disappointed by his refusal to speak on what had occurred; the lady gathered the boy onto her lap and began to rock him. She hummed a Scottish lullaby, and Aidan found the sound as comforting as did the child. When Aaron succumbed to the warmth of her arms, Aidan lifted the boy to his shoulder. “I will see him to your quarters,” he whispered.

“When?” she asked softly.

Never
, he thought, but he said, “Tomorrow. We will speak on it tomorrow.”

*

When she had arrived on Lexington Arms’ threshold, Mercy had held no idea as what to expect. Her feelings had stung from her brother’s betrayal–of Geoffrey’s immaturity in performing his duties to her and the estate. Of her brother meaning to “sell” her to Sir Lesley Trent and even to permit Lord Spectre his way with Grace. Geoffrey would have looked elsewhere while his cohorts practiced the worst forms of debauchery under Foresthill’s roof.

Leaving Lancashire behind, Mercy had come into Lord Lexford’s small world, and, yes, despite His Lordship’s extensive travels, Aidan Kimbolt’s world was small. He had family–many generations of family looking down upon him and placing the weight of their names upon his shoulders. Mercy wondered why the viscount had not buckled under such responsibilities.

Although it was not perfect, her time at Lexington Arms had gone much better than Mercy had expected. She had avoided those, such as Mrs. Babcock, who had disapproved of her from the beginning, and instead sought the endorsement of Mrs. Osborne and Mr. Hill. She supposed her easy transition had come because she had refused to allow disappointment to invade her heart. She had found purpose under His Lordship’s roof. After their initial contest of wills, Lord Lexford had treated her with admiration. Nearly as an equal. A thrill of anticipation woke her each morning. Lord Lexford’s kindness was a gift Mercy would forever cherish. And so, with reluctance, she had accepted his need for privacy–the viscount’s desire to keep his own counsel. Although she did not approve, Mercy could understand.

He entered her room and placed the child upon the small bed. “I will anticipate seeing you in the morning,” His Lordship announced as he prepared to leave. “Thank you for giving Aaron your attentions.”

“He is a loving child,” Mercy cautioned.

She watched the emotions crossing Lord Lexford’s countenance. “I understand what you are asking of me and please know I will attempt to open my heart to the boy.”

*

And so it began. In the very practical way of women, over the next week, Miss Purefoy and Miss Chadwick had structured their days, and, inadvertently, his days also. His sister had recruited two of the younger maids to assist with Aaron’s care. She commandeered the small dressing room attached to her chambers to act as a temporary nursery for his nephew while the child’s quarters were brought up to snuff. She contacted Mr. Roberts, the local curate, for recommendations for a competent nurse and had set times upon Aidan’s personal calendar for him to conduct interviews with three candidates.

Miss Purefoy had organized his staff for painting and papering the nursery walls, along with new draperies for the sparkling clean windows. A small bed and wardrobe had appeared in what would be the nurse’s room. A miracle of activity had brought his home to life.

Meanwhile, both his sister and Miss Chadwick spent at least two hours each day with Aaron. They played games with the boy and also spent time teaching the child new words and skills. It was as if his house had transformed itself into a home, and Aidan feared tipping the balance–feared it might all be snatched away.

Hill stood beside Aidan as he watched Miss Purefoy chase Aaron about the smaller of the two ballrooms. The laughter made Aidan hunger to join them, but he remained steadfastly by the door.

“What keeps you separate, my Lord?” Hill said softly.

Aidan frowned. “It is not in a man’s domain to tend to a child,” he protested weakly.

Hill leaned closer. “Who is to say what is proper? It would seem to me there is no purpose in being the Master if one must bend to the whims of those who hold no knowledge of what is best for a man.”

“And how would spending time with my sister and my nephew prove best for me?” Aidan asked sarcastically.

Mr. Hill set a shoulder against the opposite doorframe before saying, “You returned to Lexington Arms to reclaim your memory, to face your demons, and to begin a new life.”

“Reach the point, Hill,” Aidan warned.

Hill’s tone spoke of the familiarity they had shared over the years. “You must characterize your reign as Viscount Lexford by claiming what is important to you.” His man paused, and Aidan wondered if that was all, but Hill continued, “You have always desired a family, my Lord.” Lucifer gestured to the woman and the child. “The only thing missing from the picture is the sweetness of intimacy. Within this room, you will find a woman and a child who are willing to open their hearts to you. You would be a fool, my Lord, to ignore what could change you forever.”