Page 118 of Lords, Ladies and Love

“Perhaps I can help,” she suggested.

He shook his head. “There is little you can do.” He glanced around and took a few steps away from her. “If you excuse me, I need to…um…” He backed farther away and offered an awkward smile. “I shall see you at supper, no doubt.”

He twisted on his heel and strode down the corridor, leaving her looking at his broad shoulders. Her scowl deepened. The man was up to something for certain, and she was convinced it was to do with her. Why else would he not speak of his dealings with Mr. Barton? Somehow, she would have to put a stop to this, but she had no idea how.

Chapter Six

Steel grey clouds hung over the hills surrounding the estate. A light drizzle clung to Theo’s skin. He did not much mind the drop in temperature that it brought. It was not the warm summer that was bothering him, however. No, it was being around Lucy. He had somehow survived another week in her company, but it was getting no easier, particularly when she had been pressing him about his business with Mr. Barton. Though she thought she was being subtle, she kept talking of that day.

It was a day he would rather forget.

Theo spurred his horse to move quicker across the field. He drew in great gulps of air, as though the fresh air could wash away the memories of Lucy speaking with the young Mr. Andrews. He had no business feeling jealous, and yet, seeing her smile at the man who was far closer to her age than he was, had sent heat rolling through him.

He had never been possessive. Not even in his marriage when perhaps he should have been. Had he been the possessive, jealous sort perhaps his wife would have behaved better. Though he somehow doubted it, and he had little desire to play the angry, jealous husband.

Nor did he wish to play that person now.

He could tell himself that it was merely his protective instinct. After all, Lucy was under his protection, and he had to make sure that if she chose a suitor that they were suitable forher. He knew this was not true, however. He knew that every moment he spent with her, he could not stop thinking about how attractive she was, how witty she was, how ridiculously hard-working for a young woman she was.

He gritted his teeth and directed the horse back to the house. There was only so long he could remain away. There was still work to be done, and after Mr. Barton’s visit, he had letters from London to be dealing with. The lawyer had come merely to check up on him to make certain that he was indeed at the house and fulfilling his task as promised. But neither of them could resist discussing a little work—particularly the investments that could be made if he and his siblings managed to gain the inheritance. There were letters of enquiry to be written at the very least.

Following the main path back to the house, he considered Lucy and her predicament. Not that she really knew she had a predicament. However, she was nineteen now—a woman. Surely, she would not wish to live out her entire life as a spinster in this house?

He eyed the manor as he approached. The great monolith of the building would drown some men. He had felt almost smothered by it. Yet Lucy was never anything but happy in the building. She rose early each day, managed the menus, directed the servants, and ensured the continuing maintenance of the building. Having spoken to the estate manager, it was clear that Lucy did more than simply live in the house.

But young women wanted more than that, did they not?

Theo grimaced. The mere thought of giving her away to a man made his stomach curdle.

A splash of pink against green drew his attention. It was no pretty flower but indeed a pretty woman. What was she doing outside on a day like today? Theo urged his horse toward where she stood in front of the box trees that segmented the formalgardens from the wilder landscape. Though in a jacket and hat, as he neared he could see she must’ve been out for some time. Rain darkened the shoulders of her pink spencer.

“Lucy, you should be inside.”

She turned and smiled at him. “I could say the same to you. It is hardly the weather to be riding.”

“Nor to be staring at trees.”

Her lips tilted. “I was just pondering what to do with them. We have some that are sick. The gardener assures me that if we tend to it right, we can be certain they are made well again. But it will take some work.”

Theo waved a hand. “We can cut them down and replace them, if you wish.”

Her lips formed an O shape. “Goodness no. These trees are several hundred years old.”

“Ah.”

He had no idea. It seemed Lucy knew a lot more about his own house than he did. He supposed if he had spent more of his adult life here he would too. He eyed her. How odd it was that a young woman should know how old the trees in the garden were. To have such knowledge of the place, she had to have been involving herself since before she was an adult.

He blew out a breath heavy with frustration. As if he needed any more reasons to admire her. This was wrong. She was his ward and too young. Too damned innocent. If she had any idea of his thoughts, she would be horrified.

“You really should go inside. You could catch a cold. Leave the decision-making up to the gardener.

She folded her arms in front of her chest. Her chin raised slightly. “It will take more than a spot of rain to chase me away. Believe it or not, the gardener appreciates my input.”

“Surely, there are other things you would rather be doing?”

“Not at all.”

There was a bite to her tone. He was not exactly certain why. All he had meant was that a young woman of her age would surely want to spend time with friends or visiting others. In fact, since he had been back, he had only seen her visit with one friend. The butler informed him that Lucy had a busy social life normally, so he suspected he was getting in the way of it all. He was not exactly certain how to fix that, however.

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