“I believe a sound knowledge of business is a better attribute than being able to paint or sew. Wouldn’t you agree, Your Grace?” Will was saying to Ernest.
“I don’t think I have ever thought about it,” Ernest replied, but not in an unpleasant way.
The conversation moved onto easier topics as the potted salmon plates were cleared, and a fish in cream sauce took its place. Given all three of them had grown up in and around Arundel, they knew the same townspeople. Ernest seemed to be listening closely as Rose described going to the port to watch the boats being loaded, and Will described playing games in the fields and going rabbit hunting with his father.
“I never had any of that,” he said sadly. “Living in this castle was like living in a mausoleum. We could see the life going on around us, in the town and the fields, but I always felt like a captive in a tower. I used to go up to the keep to look out. You should take Mr. Browning up to the keep to see the view,” he suggested to Rose, and she was sure she turned bright red.
“That would be very interesting,” Will said across the table and looked straight at her over his glass of wine. She set her face like stone.
“I will see to it, Mr. Browning.” She glared at him. The light was dancing in his eyes.
Ernest had begun to shift rather uncomfortably in his chair.
“Are you quite well, Your Grace?” Rose asked him, grateful for the distraction in the conversation.
“You know I don’t think I am. I fear I may have overdone it a little with my eagerness to return to normal. Would you ring for Jennings, please?”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Rose rang the bell and moved to Ernest’s side. The color had drained from his face again.
“Will you be able to make it upstairs?”
“I will help him.” Will began to stand.
“No, no, you two enjoy the rest of your dinner. Jennings will help me back to my bedchamber. I will be much better by tomorrow.”
Jennings walked in at that moment and moved towards the Duke.
“Can you help him back to his room?” Rose asked.
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Ernest rose to his feet and used Jennings as support.
“Thank you both for a lively evening,” Ernest smiled as he hobbled from the room, leaving Will and Rose standing opposite each other across the table.
“I fear I wore him out, talking all day,” Will said.
“It would seem.” She did not look at him.
“I have never seen such a change in a man in just a few weeks.”
“No.” Rose finally looked at Will to find him staring at her intently. “Alcohol has a lot to answer for.”
“Indeed. Shall we resume our seats?”
Rose sat back down.
“So, how have you been?”
Rose raised her eyes to his.
“Quite well, thank you.” She said primly.
“You and the Duke seem to have established a better relationship.” He took a sip of his wine as he seemed to scrutinize her.
“I could not ignore an invalid in my home, but he has made it easier by being a lot less onerous.”