“Trivial?” His father snorted. “There is no such thing as any part of nature being trivial. This is the world in which we live, Rupert. Every blade of grass could be of importance, and we simply lack the understanding to see it at present. Insects and flowers in a field might hold the keys to unlocking mysteries of health, or illness, or cure famine and hunger. What have I been teaching you all this time if it is not that?”
Rupert scrubbed his hands through his hair, remembering Alice and their last afternoon together in the meadow. While he had never questioned the importance of gaining the Royal Society’s approval before, at the moment, he could only think on leaving Alice. But she would understand, surely.
“How long do you need me here?”
“How long—? Rupert, you disappoint me.” Father shook his head slowly, wincing as he did. “Meeting Mr. Lee is important. I expect you to stay as long as he does. Get to know him and share your studies with him. He is on the committee for approving items for publication. When you tell him that the Duke of Montfort is one of your patrons, it will undoubtedly help your case.”
And see his work published in the journal, with Alice’s accompanying artwork and credit.
Rupert owed it to all of them, himself, the duke, and especially Alice, to put his work forward at any possible opportunity.
The day after tomorrow, plus two more days, and then taking his leave after that, meant staying with his family for five days.
That wasn’t too long.
If his father’s hopes proved true, if making Mr. Lee’s acquaintance furthered Rupert’s ambitions as a naturalist, then it would not be time ill spent.
“I will happily assist you in hosting Mr. Lee.” Rupert rose to stand, his father doing the same and matching him in height. “The duke will understand. I need to write him, of course, and inform him of my return.”
His father clapped a hand on Rupert’s back. “Wonderful. Now, let us find your mother. She will have questions about the duchess’s new style of decoration. Your mother has been after me for weeks to recover the chairs in her sitting room.”
Rupert allowed his father to lead the way, happy enough to be home that his smile was genuine. Even if his heart tugged at him and urged him to return to Alice as soon as possible.
Chapter 20
The day the duke’s eldest son came home, Alice received word that the family would breakfast together. Her duty was to assist the nursery maid in seeing the children were well dressed and prepared to enjoy the meal with the duke, his heir, the duchess, and any guests trailing the heir. Simon Dinard, bearing the honorary title Earl of Farleigh, was apparently a favorite of the entire family.
“Simon always brings back presents,” Lord James informed Alice, while she tried to make him hold still long enough to comb his hair. He wore a miniature version of a gentleman’s attire, looking every inch the duke’s son except for a cowlick above his left eyebrow. “Last time, it was the theater for the marionettes. And he sent me the clockwork horse for my birthday.”
Alice tried to hide her amusement at his enthusiasm. “I hope you enjoy seeing your brother for his own sake, too.”
“He’s a jolly enough brother, for all he’s ancient. I think he’s older than you, Miss Sharpe.” The boy screwed up his face. “How old are you, anyway?”
Lady Isabelle laughed from the doorway to his room. “James, you should never ask a lady her age!”
“Why not?” Lord James fixed Alice with a curious stare. “People ask me how old I am all the time.”
Lady Rosalind had joined her sister at the door. “Because you are a little boy.”
Thankfully, both sisters were properly turned out in their loveliest morning gowns. Their shared maid had seen to their hair, too, rendering them lovely young ladies. It occurred to Alice, quite suddenly, that the large party of friends their brother traveled with might well one day include those that would marry her charges. If his friends were in their early twenties, a match might be made for the fourteen-year-old Lady Isabelle in another four or five years.
The upper nobility tended to marry later than the middle and lower classes. Still. The possibility was there.
Alice cleared her throat and brought them all back to the point. “I am old enough to have you in my charge, Lord James. That is all you need know.” She finally tamed the lock of hair, though she doubted it would remain in place once the boy began his usual antics. “All of you go down to breakfast and do mind your manners. Be clever and polite so your parents will know I am doing my best.”
They replied with their usual “Yes, Miss Sharpe” together, then went down the corridor, laughing and talking of their excitement to see their brother again.
Alice leaned against the doorway, and she watched a moment as the nursery maid tidied up the young lord’s bed. Her name was Jenny, but beyond the occasional “yes, miss” and “no, miss,” she had little to say to Alice.
For a moment, Alice imagined what it might be like to count the young girl as a friend. To speak of the children in their joint care, perhaps laugh about Lord James’s antics and Lady Rosalind’s continual talk of courtship.
She moved away, down to the schoolroom, where she had her vase of flowers and a sheaf of sketches to cover in paints and inks until the paper plants were all the correct hues.
An hour of careful work left her eyes strained, even behind the spectacles which aided her in such close work. She sat back and removed the wire-framed glasses to massage her temples. With nearly two hours until the children returned, Alice had time to spare. Almost as much as she would on a half-day.
Alice stowed away the paints and sketches, then she went in search of another occupation. Something to let her eyes rest. And, feeling rebellious, she left her spectacles off.
They were not strictly necessary, and perhaps the strain upon her eyes had as much to do with wearing the glasses when it was unnecessary as it did concentrating on detailed painting.
With that justification as her shield against censure, Alice left the children’s corridor and went down the long picture gallery. The duke’s ancestors, and a rendering of the scowling regent, watched her cross the grand carpet all the way to the main staircase.
Although permitted to use the sweeping marble steps, doing so without the children always felt a touch wicked. Governesses were not to be seen except as they were required to be in attendance of their pupils.
But no one saw her, servant or otherwise, and she slipped directly out the main door.
Alice wandered down the long, curving lane that brought travelers up to the castle. She had not spent much time on that side of the grounds. All of her time with the children, and with Rupert, had been on the opposite side, in the gardens.
The pretty lawns of green on either side of the drive were dotted with sheep, and a few dairy cows in the distance. The whole of the scene penetrated her lonely heart. The whole of the world stretched around her, and no one noticed or cared where she walked or where she went.
As it had been the entirety of her life.
Until Rupert.
He had noted her, remarked on her intelligence, then praised her talent and made use of it. Not to be cruel, or to further his ambitions, but in a sincere effort to work with someone he deemed interesting. Then he saw more.