Her Duke in Shining Armor by Emma Linfield

Author:Emma Linfield
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-06-07T21:00:00+00:00

It had only been by happenstance how Eleanor had seen a man carrying a pile of wood down the stairs and disappeared under the walkway. On its way to the bookstore, the carriage had stalled in a line of traffic.

Eleanor had looked keenly enough to see that the man had not been toting a ring of keys so it was a possibility that the room was left open. She had hoped hard and her faith had not let her down. The gate was closed with a simple latch, one she easily opened.

The wood cellar was thick with the scent of freshly-chopped wood. Wood that would be used in the following Sunday’s sermon. Eleanor gingerly avoided wood chips on the floor and batted motes from her nose while guiding Maria over to a corner.

“You’ll be all right here, Maria,” Eleanor said while brushing her hands over the girl’s pale face. “It’s much better than the tree I suppose?”

Maria was quiet but she nodded, “Yes, My Lady…thank you.”

Pulling out the rest of the food she had carried, Eleanor handed it to her and worried her bottom lip a little. She did not have time to waste but felt a deep press to know what Maria had said about her mother, Elizabeth and Maria’s own mum.

“Maria, what you told me yesterday, about how my mother knew yours. Are you sure about that?”

In the middle of unfolding her food Maria looked up and nodded, “Yes, My Lady, my maw was her Abigail for a long time until she got sick. Even after she was sent away yer maw would visit us with food and medicine and a little money when she had it. Yer maw was very good to us.”

Pride for her mother swelled Eleanor’s chest and she smiled. She had no doubt that what Maria was saying was true. Her mother had been the kindest and gentlest person she had ever known.

“I’d like to talk to your mum,” Eleanor added. “She must have some wonderful memories of her.”

“I was told that yer mum would talk to my mum about her father and how he and yer father were in business together. Yer mum even left my mum with a book, My Lady,” Maria added with a tiny frown. “I dunno what’s in it but my mum has it with her.”

That was intriguing. Eleanor instantly began to wonder what was in it but as the cold began to creep up on her, Eleanor knew there was no time. Leaning over, she kissed Maria on the forehead, “I’ll be back tomorrow night.”

She had turned and was ready to leave when Maria flung her arms around her middle and hugged her tightly. Eleanor blinked in shock but smiled and hugged her back.

“Thank you, My Lady,” Maria whispered, her childish voice somehow had the burden of an adult’s age. An age Maria should not have known yet.

“It will be alright, Maria,” Eleanor promised while brushing her hand over Maria’s hair. “Keep safe.”

With that farewell, Eleanor tugged back up her hood and slipped out of the belfry and took back to the streets.

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