“Elouise?”

Pushing the bedchamber door open a crack, Laura was surprised to find it empty, with no sign of either Elouise or her maid. Frowning, she made sure to check inside the wardrobe and the dressing room, thinking that perhaps Elouise was intending to hide until Laura managed to find her.

But there was no sign.

“Elouise?” she called again, her voice echoing around the room. “Elouise, where are you?”

Stepping out of the bedroom, she pulled the door tightly shut behind her and began to descend the stairs, wondering if her charge had chosen to eat breakfast in the dining room, which would be, of course, rather unusual for her. However, there was only Lady Alice within, who, with a warm smile, informed her that Elouise had been encouraged to go to the stables that morning.

“Oh?” Laura murmured, coming a little further into the room. “I did not think she would come downstairs alone to break her fast with you but I am glad to see that she has done so.”

Lady Alice smiled, her eyes warm. “It shows, I think, that she is very comfortable here with us.”

A warm delight spread across Laura’s heart. “Yes,” she agreed, softly. “I think it does.”

There was silence for a moment, where Laura was caught up with thoughts as to Elouise’s return to the orphanage, where the other twelve girls would be waiting to hear all about what her visit to the Duke’s home had been like. Would Elouise be glad to go back? She did not think that she would, given that she herself did not much look forward to returning there.

“I believe,” Lady Alice said, quietly, interrupting Laura’s thoughts, “that my brother is with Elouise.”

That startled Laura greatly, turning to look at Lady Alice who was smiling gently, her eyes bright with happiness.

“Truly?” Laura whispered, a little unsure what to make of this. “He asked her to go with him, did he?”

“He did indeed!” Alice declared, sounding more than thrilled. “He came to join me for breakfast and, on finding Elouise here began to discuss with her what she liked the most about being here. When he discovered that she has been eager to visit the horses but has been somewhat fearful in doing so since they are rather large beasts and she does not know what to do about them, he proposed that they go together.” She laughed at Laura’s astonishment. “I confess I was as surprised as you, but I held my tongue and waved them off, truly delighted for her. I cannot express to you in mere words how relieved I was to see a smile of happiness on my brother’s face as he walked out with Elouise. It was truly a sight to behold.”

Laura drew in a long breath, feeling a smile spread across her own face in response. “I am very glad to hear it, Lady Alice. I know you have been longing for this day.”

“It is only the very beginning, I know, Miss Smith,” Lady Alice said, carefully. “And I need to make sure not to push him, but I do believe that this is the beginning of a wonderful moment with Elouise. I am so very glad that you came to be a part of our lives, Miss Smith.”

“You are most welcome,” Laura replied, not quite sure what else to say. “You have been very generous towards us and I will not forget it.”

Lady Alice’s eyes twinkled. “Should you wish to go and ensure that Elouise is being well taken care of, then I am quite sure the Duke will not object. He has spoken of nothing else other than his astonishment at how you managed to beat him at chess. Apparently, no-one has managed to do so for many years!”

Laura blushed, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I confess that I have always enjoyed reading and challenging my mind,” she said, as Lady Alice nodded approvingly. “I do not have a good deal of time to myself but the time I do have, I have always put to good use.”

“Well, you have certainly caught my brother’s attention,” Lady Alice replied, with a chuckle. “I am sure he will be just as glad to see you as Elouise.”

Bobbing a quick curtsy, Laura took her leave of Lady Alice and hurried down towards the stables, her mind turning over as she thought of all that Lady Alice had told her. Could it be true? Was this truly the beginning of the Duke’s transformation? She had never expected him to do anything of the sort, having been so frustrated with Elouise’s presence here only a few days ago, but mayhap something she had said had finally forced him to consider the matter without the presence of anger. Whatever the reason, she was almost deliriously glad that Elouise was with the Duke at this present moment – glad for them both, for it would take away Elouise’s fear of the man and, for his sake, show him that life could be a good deal better when there were children about. She knew that herself, for even when things had been hard, when Mary Sanders had been overbearing and almost cruel, she had found happiness in her work of caring for the orphaned girls.

Stepping outside into the cool morning air and wishing that she had thought to bring a shawl with her, Laura quickly made her way towards the stables, stopping dead when she heard the sound of Elouise giggling.

Her heart lifted and, for a moment, she thought to turn around and head back into the house, for fear that she would disturb the Duke and Elouise. But then the longing in her heart grew to a fever pitch and she could not prevent her legs from walking a little further forward, until, finally, she caught sight of them both.

“That’s the way,” the Duke was saying, deftly cutting another slice from the apple that he held. “Keep your hand flat and hold it steadily. This old boy will not bite you. He is the most gentle natured beast I have ever owned.”

Again, came the wonderful sound of Elouise’s giggle as the horse snuffled at her palm, carefully taking the apple slice from her. Laura clasped her hands tightly together at her heart, finding the scene almost dream-like. This was truly a wonderful moment.

The Duke chuckled as Elouise asked for another slice, telling her that this was the last one, even though Cartwright, his old horse, would eat the core also. Laura’s smile grew all the wider as Elouise presented her palm yet again, before looking up into the Duke’s face with shining eyes. Laura felt her heart stop dead in her chest for a moment, seeing the Duke’s face completely transformed as he smiled. He became an entirely different man, warm and friendly, instead of the anger and frustration that she had come to expect from him.

It was then that the Duke spotted her, turning his head just a little as he caught her eye. Laura felt a spike of embarrassment shoot through her, as though she ought not to have intruded on them both and turned to leave – only for the Duke to call her name.

“Miss Smith, good morning!”

She had no choice but to turn back to him, seeing the slight redness in his cheeks and realizing that he too was a little embarrassed at having been spotted.

“Your grace,” she murmured, inclining her head. “I am sorry for intruding. I did not know where Elouise had gone and thought to come in search of her.”

“Oh, Miss Smith!” Elouise breathed, still with that wondrous look in her eyes. “I have been having such a marvelous time. I have fed Cartwright here and the Duke has shown me all of his horses one after the other, although I was too afraid to go near any of them.”

The Duke chuckled, and Laura felt her heart lift all the more.

“I realized that Elouise is truly afraid of the big creatures, which is not surprising when they are so large and she is so little,” he said, with a warm smile. “But Cartwright here is very docile, and Elouise has done marvelously well.” His eyes caught hers, his mouth in a lop sided smile. “Would you care to be introduced?”

Laura hesitated. “I do not wish to intrude all the more, your grace.”

“It would not be an intrusion, I assure you.”

Her eyes caught his and were warmed by them, seeing them flare just a little.

“Very well, then,” she murmured and moved closer.

The next hour was spent most enjoyably, with Elouise introducing Laura to each of the Duke’s horses, although she occasionally had to look to him for help. The Duke was most obliging which brought Laura even more joy, truly finding him to be a remarkably changed man.

“You are staring at me, Miss Smith.”

She flushed and looked away as Elouise bounded forward, having found another apple and fully intending to feed it to Cartwright whether or not the Duke approved of it.

“You are wondering if it is the same man who stands before you now,” the Duke continued, with just a hint of mirth in his voice. “Yes, I am afraid that it is, Miss Smith. A man who has taken heed of what both you and my sister have said to me and thought to try a slightly different approach with Elouise.”

Her eyes sought his and she saw nothing but truth in them. “And?” she asked, softly. “What are the results of your different approach, your grace?”

The Duke hesitated for a moment, before nodding to himself. “I would say, Miss Smith, that the results are very pleasing,” he admitted, in a very quiet voice. “In fact, one would go so far as to say that one is rather surprised at the joy such a simple thing as feeding Cartwright an apple or two can bring.”

“I think that is to do with the company more than anything else,” Laura ventured, still feeling somewhat cautious around him. “She is a very good child, your grace.”

There was a few minutes of silence as both Laura and the Duke watched Elouise carefully, both smiling and laughing intermittently as Elouise fed Cartwright the apple and then attempted to stroke him, only for him to go in search of yet more treats. She was laughing and patting his velvet nose, all the while talking to him in a gentle tone.

“I think you have conquered her fear very well, your grace,” Laura said softly, looking fondly over at Elouise. “She will be back at Cartwright’s side any chance she can get!”

The Duke smiled, but it was not in Elouise’s direction. Rather, it was directed towards her and, for the first time, Laura felt her heart suddenly blossom open towards the Duke. It was inexplicable and more than a little foolish, so she tossed it aside, drew in a deep breath and turned her gaze back towards Elouise.

“And you, Miss Smith?”

“What of me, your grace?” she asked, still keeping her gaze fixed on Elouise.

“Do you care much for horses?”

Biting her lip, she shook her head, surprised to see faint disappointment on the Duke’s face. “What I mean to say, your grace, is that I have not been near nor even ridden a horse since I was very young. It is not something that is easily available to me.”

The Duke nodded slowly, the disappointment fading away. “I quite understand, Miss Smith,” he murmured. “I don’t suppose that you would consider allowing me to aid you in this matter, just as I have done with Elouise?”

She looked up at him sharply. “I do not fear horses, your grace.”

Again, that smile that sent a flood of warmth to her heart.

“No, indeed, Miss Smith. What I meant to say was that I thought of riding out with you, if that would bring you any sort of happiness. I know it has been some time since you last rode, but I am sure it would come back to you very quickly.”

For no inexplicable reason, her stomach filled with butterflies.

The Duke shrugged, clearly a little nonplussed at her silence. “It was just a suggestion, Miss Smith. Think on it.”

“What must she think on?”

Laura made to tell Elouise, who had come running over to them both, that it was not polite to eavesdrop, only for the Duke to chuckle and pat Elouise’s shoulder.

“You must help me in this Elouise,” he said, with a smile. “I am trying to convince Miss Smith to come out riding with me one day soon, but she has stated that she has not ridden in some years!”

Elouise’s face lit up. “Oh, but I am sure that you could remember how to do it again, Miss Smith,” she exclaimed, tugging a little too hard on Laura’s arm. “The Duke has already shown me that I do not need to be afraid of his horses and I am certain that he can show you the very same thing.”

It was on the tip of Laura’s tongue to explain, in a somewhat frustrated tone that she was not afraid of horses, but at the sound of the Duke’s quiet chuckling, she resigned herself to the fact that yes, she was going to have to do as both he and Elouise apparently wanted.

“Very well,” she said, with a small sigh. “I shall attempt to come out riding with you one day soon, your grace, but I must beg of you not to expect too much of me.”

To her surprise, the Duke appeared to be delighted with this news, for his smile spread from ear to ear, his dark brown eyes suddenly warm and filled with light.

“I shall expect nothing and be as much help as I am able,” he promised, as Elouise jumped up and down, clearly delighted with this news. “Shall we say tomorrow?”

Tomorrow felt a little too soon for Laura but she could not exactly refuse, since they had very little else planned.

“I am sure my sister will be more than delighted to spend an hour or two with Elouise, so you need not concern yourself in that regard,” the Duke continued, taking her silence for worry over Elouise. “We can go at whatever time of day suits you best, Miss Smith.”

“The morning,” Laura found herself saying, as they began to walk back towards the estate. “Shall we say around eleven o’clock?”

The Duke beamed. “Wonderful,” he said, as a lock of dark brown hair flopped over his forehead. “I look forward to it, Miss Smith.”

Laura tried to smile as Elouise began to chatter excitedly, capturing the Duke’s attention. She did not feel in the least bit excited, but was rather fearful – not of the riding, for she was sure that as soon as she put her foot in the stirrup, she would remember it all – but about spending time in the Duke’s company. Seeing him so altered had, for whatever reason, had a very strange effect on her, where she found her pulse racing inexplicably, her breath catching in her chest when he’d directed his smile towards her. She did not want to feel such ridiculous things for the man who was only to have a brief appearance in her life. She could not allow herself to have any kind of feelings towards him, even if she was glad to see the change in him.

“It has been a wonderful morning, your grace,” Elouise said, happily, taking the Duke’s arm with one somewhat grubby hand. “Thank you.”

Laura felt herself smile as the Duke looked down at her, his expression gentle.

“Thank you, Elouise,” the Duke murmured, gently. “I too have had a wonderful morning.”

Elouise glowed.