Secrets Behind Locked Doors. Laura Martin

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      ‘Even so, I’d love to choose exactly what I was going to eat each and every day.’

      Robert decided not to reveal he wouldn’t notice if it was a pheasant or a field mouse set down in front of him.

      ‘At the asylum we had gruel every day,’ Louisa said, surprising Robert with this little snippet of information, ‘and porridge for breakfast.’

      Hence her dislike for gruel and porridge, he assumed.

      ‘And when I lived with my guardian he used to restrict my food if I did even the slightest thing wrong, but the servants often saved me a few scraps and leftovers.’

      No wonder she’d devoured the soup as if it were her last meal on earth. Nine years of deprivation would do that to anyone.

      ‘Would you like to help Mrs Rust plan the meals for the next couple of weeks?’ Robert asked, surprising himself with the question.

      For a second Louisa’s eyes lit up with excitement, then she became suspicious.

      ‘I’d love that,’ she said slowly, ‘if you truly are planning on keeping me around. But I’ll understand if you decide to sell me to that travelling fair. I am quite expensive to feed after all.’

      The humour was back, her protective armour against the world.

      Robert stopped himself from reaching out and taking her hand. He knew she wasn’t ready for that kind of contact yet. Instead, he leant forwards slightly and looked her in the eye.

      ‘You’re not going anywhere, Louisa,’ he said. ‘I’m your guardian and I promise you have a home here with me for as long as you want or need it.’

      ‘The last thing you want is a half-crazy penniless orphan getting in your way.’

      This time Robert couldn’t stop himself reaching out to touch her, it was an automatic gesture.

      ‘You’re not crazy, Louisa,’ he said seriously.

      And he believed what he was telling her. All his doubts from the asylum had been quashed a while ago. Louisa wasn’t insane, she was the victim of an awful old man’s plot to steal her inheritance.

      ‘Sometimes I feel it.’

      It was said so quietly Robert barely heard her.

      No, she wasn’t insane, Robert thought, but she’d been badly hurt by her experiences and he’d have to remember not to push her too hard.

      ‘You’re not crazy,’ he repeated, ‘and you need to stop telling yourself that you are.’

      The footman chose that moment to bring in the main course. Robert lifted his hand from Louisa’s and sat back, watching as she tried to conceal her emotions.

      They ate in silence for a few minutes. Robert could tell Louisa was still thinking about his declaration and wondering if she could trust him. He knew the best thing to do was to give her time.

      ‘How will it work?’ she asked eventually.

      ‘What do you mean?’

      ‘You being my guardian, me living here. The whole thing.’

      Robert could tell that how he answered her would be very important.

      ‘I’ve never been a guardian before,’ Robert said, buying himself some time to think. ‘I’m not sure what to do for the best.’

      The military man in him perked up and Robert started to formulate a plan.

      ‘But I guess it all depends on you.’

      Louisa leant forwards. He’d at the very least got her to engage.

      ‘For instance, would you prefer to live in town or the country?’

      ‘You have a house in the country?’ Louisa asked.

      Robert thought of his extensive estate far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

      ‘I have a house in the country,’ he confirmed.

      She took another bite of beef and chewed whilst she thought.

      ‘I’ve never lived in London before,’ she said slowly. ‘At least not as a free woman.’

      The Lewisham Asylum didn’t count.

      ‘Would you like to?’

      ‘I’d like to give it a go.’

      ‘Then why don’t we plan on spending a few weeks in London. I will have to employ a chaperone for you, a companion.’

      Society would be scandalised at the thought of a gently bred young woman spending even a night alone in a house with a bachelor such as he, but Robert knew his servants would be discreet and he had no intention of telling anyone.

      Louisa nodded, spearing a piece of carrot with her fork. She lifted it up to her mouth and chewed on it thoughtfully.

      ‘Tomorrow we’ll visit the modiste and get you some clothes of your own,’ Robert said, looking at Mrs Kent’s sizeable dress.

      The last thing he wanted to do was spend his days visiting dress shops and interviewing companions, but he felt as though he owed it to Louisa. If he palmed her off on some female friend, she would probably feel as though he was abandoning her. Not that he had any obliging female friends in any case, or many friends at all for that matter. The last few years he hadn’t exactly been a social butterfly.

      No, he’d have to spend a bit of time helping Louisa settle into her new life. Once she was used to living as his ward and had a suitable companion he would be able to back off a little and return to his normal life.

      The footman entered one final time, bringing dessert. Robert watched as Louisa’s eyes lit up at the sight of the fruit crumble that was placed in front of her.

      ‘Do you like fruit crumble?’ he asked.

      Louisa nodded and Robert was surprised to see tears in her eyes.

      ‘It was my mother’s favourite,’ she said.

      He didn’t know what to say. Louisa stared for a few long moments at the dish in front of her, then stood abruptly.

      ‘Please excuse me,’ she said, then fled the room.

      Robert was left staring at the door, wondering whether he should go after her.

      ‘Best leave her for the night,’ Mrs Kent said as she watched Robert pace the hallway. ‘Poor duck has had a hectic day, I’m sure she’ll be happier in the morning.’

      Robert glanced up the stairs one final time before retreating to his study. He’d never professed to understand women.

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