Page 33 of The Duchess’ Second Chance

“I want you to tell me the truth,” he said. “Can you do that?”

She nodded slowly.

“Did Mrs. Linden hurt you? Did she take hold of your arm in a way that caused you pain? Or is it just that she took hold of you and that made you angry— which is all right?”

“The second one.” Rose’s voice was barely audible.

“All right,” Sampson said, relieved that it wasn’t a more serious problem. “Mrs. Linden, perhaps in the future it’s best to avoid touching Miss Rose.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Color came into Mrs. Linden’s cheeks. “I apologize. I caught her because she was trying to run past me, to go outdoors, and I’d asked her to go upstairs. She does need her bath, and to study, and if she had made it outside, I don’t know if I ever would have been able to catch her. The child runs like a deer.”

“There was a dog outside,” Rose said. “I want to go and see him. I heard barking.” She looked at Sampson. “I’m not wrong, am I? There’s a dog out there?”

“There is,” he said. “His name is Hermes. He’s my dog, though…he hasn’t come near me since I returned from the war. I don’t think he knows me anymore. It’s been a very long time since the two of us saw one another.”

“Well, he might like me,” Rose said. “I want to go and meet him.”

“Not right now, Miss Rose,” Mrs. Linden said. “You have other things you need to give your attention to.”

“Well, I don’t want to do my lessons,” Rose said. “And I don’t see why I can’t do them later, when the weather is less nice. Why does it have to be now?”

“Rose, you do need to respect what Mrs. Linden tells you,” Sampson said seriously. “I’m sure Amanda has told you the same thing, hasn’t she?” He held his breath. If Amanda hadn’t had this talk with Rose, he would have taken the conversation to a position he wouldn’t be able to defend.

Rose hung her head. “Yes,” she grumbled.

Sampson exhaled in relief. “So, you know that when she tells you it’s time to study, that you must do so, and not try to run off and play.”

“But I want to see the dog,” she said, raising her head. “I never heard him bark until this afternoon, and I’ll study later, really I will. I promise.”

Sampson didn’t want to create the idea that Rose could set terms for herself. Still, the request was not unreasonable. “If you wish to change the plan, you must ask Mrs. Linden,” he told her firmly. “It’s her decision. And whatever answer she gives, you must respect it. You may ask her, but only if you can accept that if she says no then the answer is no.”

Rose turned. “Mrs. Linden…please may I go outside if I promise to return to my studies and my bath afterward?”

“You can’t go on your own,” Mrs. Linden said firmly. “It isn’t safe for a little girl to run around unsupervised like that.”

“I’d be willing to accompany her,” Sampson said. “But only if it’s all right with you, Mrs. Linden. I don’t want to disrupt your schedule for her.”

Mrs. Linden pressed her lips together. “I suppose it’s all right,” she agreed. “But this will be a test, Rose. If you’re not able to hold to your promise to do your work later, I’ll remember it, and there won’t be another chance like this one given. Do you understand?”

“I understand,” Rose said eagerly, bouncing on her toes.

“All right then,” Mrs. Linden allowed.

Rose beamed. “Come on,” she said to Sampson. “Let’s go meet Hermes!”

Sampson was nervous as Rose led the way outside. He thought back to the time before he’d gone to war. He and Hermes had been together much of the time, well bonded to one another. It was true that he hadn’t felt close to the animal since returning, but it was also true that he hadn’t really tried. It seemed impossible that they could know one another in the same way as they once had.

“He doesn’t usually like people,” he warned Rose. “You may look at him, but you must keep your distance. Allow him to approach you, if he wants to.”

Rose stopped walking. Hermes was still several feet away, the large, black shape of him almost like a shadow as he frolicked. “Is he dangerous?”

“No. He won’t hurt you if you don’t bother him. But he might not be friendly. He might growl at you. That’s what he used to do to my father.”

“He didn’t like your father?”

“Not a bit. It’s surprising that I was able to keep him here, actually, because I know my father would have liked to get rid of him. He probably would have done it while I was away if he could have—I’m guessing Hermes wouldn’t let my father get near him.”

“I wanted to play with him,” Rose said sadly. “I wish he wanted to do that.”