Page 11 of The Reckless Love of an Heir
‘Susan…’ Her father entered the hall from a door leading out to the rear of the house and the stables. ‘Where is Alethea? Is she not ready? I expected to see her galloping with excitement to call on Henry.’
‘He is too unwell for callers. I am going so I may continue to paint.’
His bushy white eyebrows lifted, and the ends of his waxed moustache twitched. ‘Alone?’
‘It is only to Uncle Robert’s. It is but a couple of miles and I am taking a maid.’
His forehead furrowed.
Susan held her breath.
‘And Susan is responsible enough to manage herself, Casper. Let her go.’ Susan looked at her mother who had returned from the drawing room.
Only days before, her mother had been afraid of highwaymen. Obviously Susan’s responsible nature would frighten them away. Or perhaps it was theridiculous anomalyshe presented.
Her hand lifted to slide her spectacles further up her nose.
Her father looked at her. ‘Very well, you may go.’
‘Thank you, Papa.’ She wrapped her arms about his neck, and his arms came about her, knocking her bonnet loose so it tumbled off her head and rolled down to hang from the ribbons about her neck.
‘Enjoy your day,’ he said into her ear.
‘I shall immensely.’ They let each other go. ‘And at the end of the fortnight I will show you my endeavours. I am quite pleased with myself.’
‘Bless you.’ His fingertips touched her cheek.
She turned away, without putting her bonnet back on, and walked out through the open door. Dodds was speaking with one of the footmen. She had a sense that he had bestowed a warningfor the men escorting her to take greater care as she travelled alone with only a maid to guard her reputation. The maid had already taken her place on the seat beside the coachman.
She smiled at Dodds when he opened the door of the carriage, accepted his hand and climbed up.
Within the carriage she righted her bonnet as Dodds shut the door. Then they were away.
She had not travelled in the carriage alone before.
Her heart pulsed quickly as she stared out of the window watching the passing view around the brim of her bonnet.
The tall remains of the walls of the ruined abbey in Farnborough’s grounds peaked above the trees in the distance. The abbey marked the border of Uncle Robert’s land and Henry’s cousin Rob’s property. She had known Rob since her childhood too, his father was also a friend of her father’s.
She liked Rob. He was quieter than Henry and not self-obsessed. She liked Rob’s wife too. Though Caro shied away from crowds and strangers, Susan saw them frequently at her parents’ and Aunt Jane’s dinner parties.
The road followed the wall which surrounded Uncle Robert’s estate. It stretched for miles, but they were not following it all the way. It broke at the main gateway and the carriage turned to pass between the open iron gates and the giant lion statues guarding the entrance.
The carriage slowed when the gatekeeper came out of his lodge, but as soon as he saw her father’s emblem on the side he waved them on.
The drive to the house from the gate seemed nearly as long as the journey had been from her home. But it was pretty this time of year, with the huge horse-chestnut trees covered in white flowers.
Excitement gathered inside her.
Her new project was stimulating. She was not very good at idleness, and embroidery and sewing were really not her calling. As the carriage passed beneath the arch into the courtyard, she smiled at herself when her reflection appeared in the glass for a moment. Perhaps she was like Alethea in some ways; she had just admitted she was no good at being idle.
Uncle Robert walked out of the house, surrounded by three of the dogs. Not Samson.
He stood still as the carriage turned and drew to a halt, then came forward and opened the door. ‘I thought Henry had sent word to say do not come.’ He looked beyond Susan, clearly seeking Alethea, but then he held out his hand to aid Susan’s descent as the dogs barked their greeting. The hand that released Susan raised and silenced the dogs.
‘He did, but I was ready and I wished to come and paint anyway. You do not mind?’
‘Of course not, you know you are welcome. Come, I shall escort you in before I go about my business.’
