CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THE DUKE’S QUESTION
William learned of Selena’s departure plans from Verity, who arrived at Oak Haven looking as though she expected to be thrown out.
He found Selena in the garden behind the Montley house the following morning.
She was cutting the last flowers from a neglected bed.
“I hear you intend to go to Bath,” he said.
“Yes.”
“When?”
“On Thursday.”
William looked at the basket of flowers in her hand.
“Were you going to tell me?”
“I intended to write.”
“That would have been a very short letter.”
“It would have been an honest one.”
He stood beside the garden path for a long moment.
“I have come to ask you a question,” he said.
Selena felt her heart begin to beat faster.
“Then ask it.”
“Would you remain near Oak Haven if there were work you could accept without owing me a favor?”
Selena frowned.
“What sort of work?”
“The village seamstresses have asked for a shared workroom with proper light and a place to teach apprentices.”
“They have asked you?”
“They asked my steward, who informed me yesterday.”
“And you thought of me.”
“I thought of someone who knows how to mend a thing without pretending it was never damaged.”
Selena lowered her eyes.
“That is a beautiful description, but I would need to earn my position.”
“Then speak to the women who proposed the workroom,” William said.
“They can decide whether they want you.”
Selena considered the offer.
“And if they do not?”
“Then you go to Bath.”
“You would not object?”
William looked at her.
“I would be unhappy,” he admitted.
“But I have no wish to make you unhappy in order to keep you nearby.”
Selena set down the flowers.
“There is another question you have not asked.”
“I know.”
“Why not?”
“Because I want you to know what your life can be before I ask whether you would share it with me.
”
Selena felt tears rise unexpectedly.
She turned away until she could trust her voice.
“Then I will meet the seamstresses,” she said.
“And afterward, perhaps we can discuss the other question.”
