Page 9 of A Flaming Lady's Secret Valentine
Snarling, Peter grabbed the hay fork and thundered off, throwing the tool into the ground.
“Do notpush your luck, lad,” Raphael warned. “For your own sake.”
“I should never have left my dad’s farm.”
Raphael furrowed his brow and walked away. His haversack had fallen into a puddle, and he groaned as he wrung the bottom out. Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he wiped his hands on his trousers and continued on his way.
He did not walk for long, however. Just as Berilton came into view, a figure approached from beyond the hill. It was Lord Edward, marching toward Raphael in his riding clothes.
“I thought I saw you, Travers.” Edward stopped to catch his breath. “Why did you come this way?”
“For the scenery, of course, my lord,” Raphael cried back. He looked up at the deeply grey sky, waiting for Lord Edward to meet him. “And the quiet.”
“I shall pretend I did not hear that.” Edward walked past him, grinning.
“My lord?”
“Come on, Travers! Join me, will you not? We could ride as we work.” He wrapped an arm around Raphael’s shoulders as he fell into step. “Why do you look like that? Did you meet trouble on your way here?”
“Of a sort, my lord. I would not be surprised if we found Solomon hanging from the rafters.”
Edward paused. “Who’s Solomon?”
“One of the stable hands.”
“Of course, Mr Druver’s son. Good lad.” They trudged onward. “You do notmind a ride, do you? I am gagging for some fresh air after last night.”
“I have got time. It gives me an excuse to wash up before I meet with His Grace later.” Raphael smiled.
Lord Edward was easy company, and he treated Raphael as a friend, though he was not sure there was any true friendship between them. The Norberts were a funny clan, informal with one another despite their high station. It did not make them particularly philanthropic, but they treated their staff fairly and were generous with their wages.
Edward was different from his father, though not in the matters of his kindness. The duke was an eccentric at the best of times, a great lover of art, a socializer, and dangerously clever. Despite being first in line to inherit the duchy, Edward was considerably less engaged with politics, and the ton, and the finer things in life.
He was often seen riding when forced to be in England, otherwise choosing to spend his time out of the country. No one was quite sure what he entertained himself with while abroad, but he seemed to prefer the continent over Norfolk, that much was plain.
Solomon saddled their horses sadly, moping between the two chestnut gelding Thoroughbreds that were Edward’s ride of choice. Raphael was a decent enough rider, but he was not graceful. He threw himself atop his mount so quickly he almost fell off the other side. He wrapped his bags across his chest and took off after Edward.
The untamed moors to the east of Berilton were usually reserved for shooting, but they were Edward’s favoured haunt. Raphael rode after him up the hill, the fabric above his Wellingtons wet with morning dew. He breathed in the cold and heavy air of the country, knowing another storm was fast approaching.
“Whoa!” Edward cried, halting at the top of the hill.
Raphael halted his gelding beside his, and his heart leaped in his chest as he took in the view beyond. He could see all over Norwich, the entire town cloaked in fog. The spires of its many churches pierced through the mist, welcoming rays of timid sunlight. There had never been a more arresting sight.
“I loathe the country,” Edward stated. “Do you not loathe the country?”
“No, my lord,” Raphael replied through a laugh.
“But you are a London man! Londoners are supposed to despise all things natural and godly.Do not tell me you are a Romantic. I met a Prussian Romantic when I visited Cologne last Summer. Dreadful man. Wet behind the ears.”
“I would notclaim to be a Romantic. I only…” He paused. “I mean, look at it.”
“I am looking. But I do not believe thatwe are seeing the same view. If you enjoy this sort of thing, you really should travel with us to Cromer when next we visit that bore Radcliff. Ha! Talk about being wet behind the ears! By Jove, maybe you are better off staying here.”
“I take it you enjoyed yourself yestereve.”
“Oh, do not get me started.” Edward stretched his back. “If you came, at least then I would have someone decent to speak with. The theatre of it all, you would not believe it. Have you attended anyTongatherings in your time?”
Raphael shook his head.
