Page 8 of The Duke’s Impossible Match

“That is highly irregular. Do you mean to say you let them do what they want?”

“Not at all. I give them choices so they have some sensation of freedom, but I try to guide them. Even when they come into the garden, I still make a lesson out of it. I teach them about the various plants and herbs we have here, and how things change during the season. They are curious children, and they enjoy learning; I am pleased to say.”

“Perhaps some firmer rules would be prudent in the future. We wouldn’t want to give them too much liberty. It will not serve them well when they enter the world.”

“Why not? Do you not believe the world has a place for independent spirits?”

“I believe that people must learn about limitations, about duty, and responsibility. These are the cornerstones of a society, lessons that their parents clearly lacked. We would not want them to fall into the same trap.”

“Actually, I believe that if we just cultivate the same attitudes, then there can be no progress in society. We should prepare them to be individuals with their own ambitions. I want them to feel that they can be anything they want.”

“And what happens when the world rails against them? Surely they will become dispirited?”

“They will have the strength to persevere. My aunt was told that she could never publish a book under her own name, but she did so. My other aunt is an acclaimed actress, although she has now retired. If we put too many limitations on ourselves, then we can never grow properly. Like these flowers.” She reached down and cupped a petunia within her fingers. “If they are closed away, they would die.”

“And if they are not pruned, they would spread across this entire garden,” the duke said. Clara withdrew her hand and pressed her fingers against her dress, gently wiping away the residue from the petals.

“These children have been abandoned by their parents. Their very foundation has crumbled away. What they need to learn first is that someone is going to be beside them no matter what, that they can rely upon someone to teach them, guide them, but also let them live. What good could be done from stripping away their joy?”

Gerald seemed to consider the words, and in the end he inclined his head.

“That is not an unwise point,” he said. Clara wasn’t sure if she should feel patronized or not. “What led you to manage this home?”

“It has always been close to Grandmother’s heart. When she needed help, I heeded the call. It has been rewarding to help these children. I know something of their pain myself, as my father died when I was young. Thankfully, my stepfather is a kind man and has given me the freedom to make something of this place. If I can be like him to these children, then I will know I have made a difference.”

“That is a worthy cause. So many people seem to have shallow ambitions these days,” he said.

Clara led him back into the house. She was aching to ask him whether he had reconsidered yet. She wasn’t quite sure how anyone could walk through this house and still refuse. However, she did not press him, for fear that she would irk him to the point where he would refuse out of spite to her. While she did not think he was that type of man, she couldn’t be sure.

Cheerful voices drew them to what had once been a parlor. It was the one room of the house they hadn’t visited yet. Clara opened the door to what sounded like bedlam. Emily was singing at the top of her lungs. Oliver was kicking his legs against a shelf as he lay on the floor reading. Teddy was galloping back and forth across the room, pretending to be a horse. Sophie was sitting beside Agatha, drawing a portrait. It wouldn’t do much to assure Gerald that there was some sense of order in the house.

“Teddy, Emily, Oliver, be quiet please,” Clara said, her resonant voice cutting through the cacophony. The children stopped.

“How does it look?” Agatha asked, trying to peer forward to see Sophie’s drawing. Sophie was focused so intently that she did not respond to Agatha’s question.

“Very good, she has captured your effervescence,” Clara said. Agatha beamed with pride. Clara leaned over Sophie’s shoulder and adjusted the pencil, directing her next words to Sophie rather than Agatha. “Although you might try holding the pencil like this. It will allow you to shade better.” Clara peered over Sophie’s shoulder and adjusted her grip on the pencil. The duke moved across to a cracked window, staring at it idly.

“And how did you find your tour, Your Grace? Do you remember this place at all?” Agatha asked. A few moments passed without any reply. Then, suddenly, the duke turned.

“My apologies, did you say something?”

Agatha chuckled. “It seems as though something is distracting you, Your Grace. Is there anything important? You can always tell us. We are wise here.”

“Thank you, but no. It is just that London can be a tiring place during the season.”

“I’m sure it can, especially for an unwed Duke. I’m sure you’ve become the ton’s favorite project. I can only imagine the amount of attention you’ve received.”

“There has been some discussion,” he admitted. He didn’t seem entirely pleased about the prospect.

“You should enjoy the attention. It wanes dramatically as soon as you are married. I was the diamond of the season for a long time, but as soon as a ring was slipped on my finger I might as well have been invisible, at least to all the suitors. They moved on to other eligible women. I was pleased with my husband, of course, but I confess that I did enjoy the attention.”

“How can I get attention when I’m old enough?” Emily asked.

“Well, the first thing you need to know-” Agatha began, but Clara interrupted her quickly.

“Is that you’re too young to learn about any of this. Enjoy the time you have, for there is no need to rush. It will come eventually,” Clara said.

“Oh, let her have her fun, dear. You were just the same. I remember you were trying on your mother’s jewelry because you wanted to impress your uncle Edmund,” Agatha said. Clara’s eyes went wide, and her cheeks burned crimson. She looked at the duke, hoping he might have become lost in thought again, but the amused smile on his face disappointed her.