Chapter 3 – Part 7

“You can’t even be this presumptuous. Why?”
 
It was related to the circumstances in which she hadn’t confided in the duke. Liese hesitated slightly.
 
“I have a stop to make in the morning, but I don’t want to interfere with the Duke’s schedule in the slightest. I’ll go to the meeting place myself after I see to my business.”
 
“You must think I’m a fool to let a woman without a carriage walk to my appointment.”
 
“I didn’t mean to imply that.”
 
“If you want to make me an inconsiderate asshole, have at it.”
 
“So that means…”
 
Marcus picked up the flask from the tray on the console. The clear, cherry-colored liquid gurgled into a round glass. As bitter as it looked, he downed it without hesitation. Liese watched breathlessly as his prominent ribcage twitched.
 
Perhaps consideration and kindness were incompatible qualities in the man, but she couldn’t stop the duke from occasionally uttering a word of common sense.
 
“If it’s after noon, I’ll go pick you up personally.”
 
Marcus’s simple dismissal broke her reverie. Liese inclined her head.
 
“Thank you for your consideration.”
 
“Fix that habit of talking nonsense whenever you can.”
 
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
 
“Now, go.”
 
It was a pleasant sound to hear. She hesitated to bow again, then turned away without a word, feeling the stares follow her relentlessly.
 
It was a gaze she could endure for only one season. Just one season.
 
***
 
As soon as daylight broke, Liese left Charlie with the nanny and accompanied her grandfather to the largest hospital in Bachmann.
 
The trip was easy, thanks to the doctor who made the rounds as promised and Ian, who had rushed to help when he heard the news.
 
After some tests, it turned out that, given the prognosis, hospitalization was a wiser option than attempting medication at home. That’s how severe her grandfather’s condition was.
 
The multi-bedded room wasn’t exactly luxurious, but it was a relief to know that he was in a ward with round-the-clock medical attention.
 
“Lieselotte. My precious granddaughter.”
 
Viscount Brennan blinked lazily, his eyes still closed. He looked uncharacteristically frail. Liese squeezed his hand tightly.
 
“Yes, Grandfather, I’m here.”
 
“Search my bedside drawer and you’ll find the land papers. When I’m gone, I need to turn the orchard and bungalow over to you, so be sure to take them.”
 
“Don’t say that!”
 
Liese cut him off hastily, not wanting to hear the subject.
 
“You’ll get better soon, so don’t say that.”
 
The money from the Duke had paid for his hospitalization, something she hadn’t dreamed of doing just yesterday. The more she met with Marcus, the longer her grandfather would be under specialized care. Liese squeezed her grandfather’s hand with a look of resignation.
 
“I’ll visit him every day, and you don’t have to worry about anything, Grandfather; just focus on getting back to health.”
 
“How can I not worry? Where did you get the money for the hospitalization? Did that carrot head help you out?”
 
“Grandfather, Ian is listening.”
 
Liese glanced back at Ian, who was pacing behind her. The doctor who had accompanied her had long since left, claiming to have some errands to run, but Ian had insisted on staying behind to walk her home.
 
“Thankfully, he came with me to the hospital.”
 
“So he lent you money for hospitalization? ”
 
After hesitating, Liese lied in a small voice.
 
“The… hospital bill was paid by an old gentleman who often visits the almshouse where I serve, and he was kind enough to help me when he heard of my plight.”
 
“The same old gentleman?”
 
Viscount Brennan coughed hard and then spoke.
 
“How gracious of him…. You must invite him to our home sometime. I’ll treat him to a meal and see his face.”
 
That would never happen. Liese quickly changed the subject.
 
“Ian has been very helpful, too. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have gotten to see the good doctor first, and I wouldn’t have gotten to the hospital.”
 
“I know. Don’t forget to repay him.”
 
“I will.”
 
“Take care of Charlie and Joanna while I’m gone, and lock your doors at night. And take your pistol with you wherever you go.”
 
“Don’t worry, grandfather.”
 
Liese pushed herself up with a promise to come back tomorrow. Ian, looking worried, followed her out, the bright sunlight filtering through the glass windows of the hospital corridor overhead.
 
“Thank you, Ian. I feel like I’m always indebted to you.”
 
He scratched the back of his flushed neck at her sincere gratitude.
 
“I didn’t do anything. You must have been so worried, thinking your grandfather had only a simple cold. I hope he feels better soon.”
 
“Yeah, thank you. I’d like to treat you to a meal right away, but I have an appointment in the afternoon. I’ll make it up to you as soon as I can.”
 
Hey, don’t feel pressured by such things. I mean, I like you; no, I like spending time with you, so you don’t have to feel obligated.”
 
Liese smiled bitterly at Ian, who held out his hand, blushing. Leaving the hospital, they trudged back to where Ian’s carriage was parked. Ian’s pace slowed a bit.
 
“You know, Liese.”
 
“Huh?”
 
“To be honest, if your situation was desperate, I was even thinking of manipulating the bakery’s accounts to lend you money. I’m relieved that it worked out well.”
 
As soon as she heard that, Liese realized she was lucky she hadn’t borrowed money from Ian.
 
“Thank you; I’m sure it wasn’t an easy thing to do. I’ll take it from the bottom of my heart.”
 
“By the way, I didn’t realize you were volunteering at the almshouse. Do you come down to the square every morning, so you only work in the orchard in the afternoon?”
 
Ian asked cautiously, making sure no words were heard from the hospital bed. Liese hesitated, then sighed.
 
“It’s not really a service; it’s just part-time work I’m doing without my grandfather’s knowledge. I didn’t want him to be upset that I’m getting paid to help with someone else’s house, so I had to keep it a secret.”
 
“Ah… I see.”
 
“I want you to keep it as a secret, too.”
 
“Of course! I won’t tell anyone.”
 
He threw up his hands in despair. Liese continued calmly.
 
“My part time work was supposed to be in the mornings, but there’s been some changes, and I’m afraid I’m going to be out a lot in the afternoons when I’m supposed to be working with you, and I’m really sorry.”
 
“It’s a bit disappointing, but don’t worry about that. If your family gets suspicious about your new schedule, you can use me as an excuse.”
 
Liese was a little relieved to hear the Duke’s response, as she had been worried about what excuse she would give her family if he called on her on a slow evening. She was grateful to Ian for the favor.
 
“Still, Ian, don’t take on my share of the work in my absence, just finish yours. I’ll tell Mrs. Joanna to prepare a meal for you as well.”
 
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. You must have had a lot on your plate.”
 
With that, Ian bowed his head and lightly kicked a stone that rolled on the pavement. He was silent for a long time, wondering what he was thinking. Liese felt like she had to say something, but she didn’t have the energy to spill the beans.
 
It was close to noon, and the sun was burning. Summer was in the air. The fire on her feet was taken care of for now, but she couldn’t help but feel her breath catch in her throat as she thought of the duke she was about to meet.
 
She wondered if she would be able to pretend to be the lover of a man who made her uncomfortable just by looking at him all summer.
 
“Liese.”
 
Her reverie was interrupted by Ian speaking again. He paused in front of the carriage, averted his gaze, and exhaled solemnly, as if making a decision.
 
“If you need my help, you can always ask.”
 
“I appreciate the offer.”
 
“They’re not empty words. If you need anything, just let me know, and I promise I’ll help you in any way I can.”
 
Ian looked more serious than ever.
 
“I know it can be overwhelming since we’ve only known each other for a short time, but I want you to always remember that there’s at least one person you can count on.”
 
The way he stood there, frozen in place, it was clear that Ian wanted confirmation. Liese blinked, wide-eyed, and then smiled warmly.
 
“I’ll do that, Ian. Thank you so much. Really.”
 
She was grateful that Ian had reached out to him first, because it was true that he’d been the first person she’d thought of when the crises had all hit at once. Just knowing she had a shoulder to lean on was comforting.