Page 40 of Reforming Lord Ragsdale
I am going to be impertinent, she thought as she sat there. “You have far fewer flaws than you think, my lord,” she said, her words coming out in a rush, as though she feared she would not be able to say them if she gave them thoughtful consideration. “And ... and thank you for being concerned enough last night to give me the scold I deserved. I promise not to be out past dark in the future on my day off.”
There, she told herself,think what you will. I mean every word of it.As she sat there in embarrassment, it was asthough a great stone rolled off her heart. She could not have explained the feeling to anyone, because it was new to her. All she suspected was that it might not be such an onerous chore to serve this man until her indenture was up.
He regarded her as seriously as she knew she was looking at him. “Why, thank you, Emma,” he said finally. “I believe you mean every word of that.”
“I do,” she said promptly as she stood up. “Now, tell me what you want me to do today while you are out, and I will get at it.”
He considered her another moment, a half smile on his face, then set her some tasks that would keep her soundly busy until it was time to leave tomorrow for his Norfolk estate. “When I return this afternoon, I’ll expect you to join me in the stables for a look at my new purchase,” he finished, making room for her at the desk and going to the door. “I warn you it will be expensive, so if you want to prune up now, make faces, and act like a secretary and fiscal adviser, be at liberty.”
She smiled. “I have no qualms about what you spend your money on, my lord,” she assured him, “as long as it will lead to prompt double entries, your continuing reformation, and eventual marriage. You know the terms.”
“Indeed, yes,” he agreed, opening the door and leaning against it. “Do wear the green dress first, will you?”
She blushed and busied herself at the desk, murmuring something in reply.
“Don’t mumble, Emma,” he said. “It’s a bad habit.”
“Very well, my lord,” she said distinctly. “By the way, I meant to ask: did you have an especially nice time at the theatre last night?”
“You mean, why am I so pleasant this morning?” he asked in turn, leaving her to wonder at his prescience. “Actually, I admired Clarissa’s charms with my opera glasses from the safety of my own box and spent the rest of the time trying to figure out how to apologize to you. Good day, Emma.”
She sat at the desk and stared at the door. He opened it again.
“And Emma,” he continued, “if you should ever feel the urge to trust me enough with your own problems, I might even be able to surprise you with useful solutions.”
I wonder if he truly means that, she thought several times that morning as she worked in the book room. This reflection was followed by the fact that no Englishman had ever kept his word to her or her family. She dismissed his offer but noted, to her annoyance, that his words kept popping into her mind as she answered his correspondence.
Such a plethora of invitations, she considered as she looked them over and sent regrets or acceptances, according to his instructions.Now, I would prefer a picnic al fresco to a dinner at the home of some stuffy, gouty duke, she thought.Perhaps Lord Ragsdale prefers old cigar smoke to ants.She wondered what would happen if she arrived at one of these events in his place, chuckling to herself at the imagined expressions on the face of her surprised host. Papa had always assured her—especially on those days when her brothers were more trying than usual—that she had the poise and ability to move in any social circle.Of course, I would have to lose my accent and study the trivial so I could be sufficiently vacuous.
Her thoughts drifted to Clarissa Partridge. “I hope you are intelligent enough to realize what you might have,” she murmured. “Lord Ragsdale is certainly potter’s clay for the molding, if you are suitably managing. He could even amount to something, with the proper guidance.”
Emma was starting to rub her eyes and wonder where the day had gone when Lord Ragsdale reappeared in the book room, looking none the worse for wear for what must have been a strenuous day for one so indolent.Do be charitable, she thought as she looked up, wincing at the sharp pain between her shoulders.
“Yes, my lord?” she inquired, noting that in their briefacquaintance, seldom had she seen him looking so pleased with himself.
His eye was lively with good humor, and he seemed to throw off that boyish, barely contained energy that she remembered—with a pang—about her own younger brother.
“Emma, you must see my horses!”
“Horses in the plural, my lord?” she inquired.
“Yes; singular, isn’t it?” he quizzed. “I found myself in the middle of a wonderful sale, and who can resist a sale?”
“But two horses?” she asked. “I know sales are wonderful, but. . .” She stopped. “It is only two, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” he assured her, taking her by the arm and pulling her to her feet. “Sir Bertram Wynswich of Covenden Hall, Devon, periodically finds himself under the hatches, and he is obliged to lighten his stables. How lucky I am today. Emma, the letters can wait!”
She capped the ink bottle and let him lead her out of the house and into the stable yard, amused by his horseman’s commentary on the finer points of his fortuitous acquisitions.
“Next you will be telling me they can fly,” she grumbled as he hurried her along.
“Very nearly like, Emma,” he agreed, and stopped before the largest loose box. “Well, what do you think? Is this not a sound investment?”
She could not disagree. The horse that came to the railing when Lord Ragsdale leaned his arms on it would have charmed the most discriminating gypsy. He was a tall chestnut, taller than she ever could have managed, with a noble Roman profile, deep chest, and legs that went on forever. He looked as well-mannered as a gentleman, with an intelligent face that seemed to broadcast equine good humor.
Emma stepped up on the railing and glided her hand over his nose. “Oh, you are a bonny lad,” she whispered. “Lord Ragsdale, this must be your lucky day!”
He nodded. “Indeed. Didn’t I say so? Do you know I even won at cards this afternoon? I have discovered that it is much easier to play when I am sober. Then I paid a call on Clarissa Partridge.”
