Page 113 of Lords, Ladies and Love

After dinner, the marquis had escaped directly to the study, and she had not seen him again until now. For all she knew, he had been in the study all night, but she certainly hoped not. Creases appeared between his brows, and she noted he looked slightly tired. Perhaps he really had spent all night here. But what was he expecting to find?

It seemed he did not trust her to keep things running smoothly with the help of the estate manager and housekeeper. Surely, the communications over the past five years had been enough to reassure him? In fact, she hardly knew why he was here at all. He had shown no intention of ever returning home until she received a letter a few days ago announcing his intentions to stay. She had been excited initially, but now, having seen him holed up in the study surrounded by papers, she was beginning to wonder if he was not coming to check up on her as though she might have been doing something wrong.

Lord Eastbrook kept his attention on the papers in front of him. His fingers were stained with ink. He waved a dismissive hand, which made Lucy scowl. “I’m not hungry.”

Lucy folded her arms in front of her. “You may not think you are hungry, but one must eat. Especially if one is planning to work the whole day through.”

His gaze lifted back to hers. The tiniest curve of his lips seemed to make her more annoyed somehow. Here she was trying her best to ensure that he was well looked after, and he did not seem to care one jot.

“I shall come and eat as soon as I have finished these letters.” He put the quill back into the pot and peered around the study. “Just as soon as I figure out where the latest account statements are.”

“You will find them all…” She moved around the desk and pulled open the drawer where everything was neatly organized and, she had thought, easily found. “Just here.” She motioned to the contents of the drawer with a flourish.

The marquis peered at her for a few moments then shook his head slightly. “Good. Excellent.”

Silence hung over them for a few moments. Lucy twined her hands together, whilst her heart pounded heavily in her ears.

Lord Eastbrook lifted the quill from the pot and motioned to his letter. “Well, I had better…”

She untwined her hands. “Oh, yes, of course. I shall leave you in peace. Though, if you should need anything, do let me know.” She moved to the doorway and paused, her hand to the door frame. “Do make sure you come and eat.”

He gave a vague grunt. Which made Lucy’s frown deepen. She understood that being a marquis and all the responsibilities that came with it cut into much of one’s time, but did that also mean one lost their manners? What she remembered of the marquis from when she was first here, he always had excellent manners. It seemed the years—and she supposed the death of his wife—had changed that.

She sighed and shut the study door, heading back to the breakfast room. Somehow, she doubted he would come and join her, so she would have someone plate up some food and take it in to him. It seemed having the marquis home would not make life any more enjoyable as she had hoped. It was not that she did not enjoy life here—after all, she had lots of good friends who visited frequently and relished living in the countryside—but she was always aware that she was a guest here, no matter how much she partook in them maintenance of the house. If she could just prove to him that she had done an excellent job, and he would acknowledge that, she would feel vastly happier.

Pulling out a chair, she sat at the breakfast table, aware of the empty seats around her. She had asked her friends to remain away, uncertain as to whether the marquis would want any of them around the house. It had left the place quiet and empty.

Apparently, Lord Eastbrook would not be making it feel any less lonely. She pursed her lips and took a sip of lukewarm coffee. This visit was not going as planned. And all those funny little feelings that she had had as a girl were fading rapidly. That was likely a good thing, but she could not help feel saddened. It might have been a girlish infatuation, but it had been a worthy one. She was not so certain the marquis was the same man she had admired once. The idea made her heart hurt. For her. And for him.

She had been old enough to understand that his marriage was no perfect one and Julia was no perfect woman, but perhaps she had underestimated how much hurt he suffered when she had died.

Well, it did not change anything. She still needed to prove to him that she was worthy of looking after this house and in no need of a husband. Or a trip to London. More than anything, she needed this house.

She stabbed a fork into a piece of bacon.

Yes, she should worry less about his work ethic and why he was so grumpy and be more concerned about proving herself worthy of this house.

Chapter Four

Theo took his gloves from the butler. “Is the horse ready?”

Barnes nodded. “And waiting for you.”

“With any luck, I shall be back by supper.”

The butler gave him a look. Theo could not be certain what the look was for, but he suspected the man doubted Theo would be back by then. Apparently, this was the joy of living in the country. An argument had broken out between two men over an animal—a pig, apparently—and it was his duty to get involved it seemed.

He stepped out of the house and strolled around to the stables. One of the stable-hands brought over a horse, and Theo took the reins from him.

“If you hurry,” the stable-hand said, “you will catch up with Miss Jameson.” He gave a little smile. “She is not much of a rider.”

“Miss Jameson?”

“Aye, she’s headed over to Fenny Farm now.”

Theo scowled. With a flick of the reins, he picked up the pace until he spotted her some way down the main road leading out of the main estate. She was indeed riding slowly, which gave him plenty of chances to catch up with her. She twisted when she heard him approach and brought her horse to a stop.

“Where are you going?” She offered a sunny smile that sent a lump into his throat.

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