Page 39 of Lady Audacious
Surely he wasn’t drawn to her romantically? Reuben stopped dead in his tracks as he considered that possibility, recalling the sizzle of awareness that had streaked through him on the occasion of their first meeting.
And their second.
There wasn’t the slightest thing out of the ordinary about her, which made his reaction all that more baffling. Nothing, that is, if one ignored those fiery eyes, that waterfall of thick burnished hair that never seemed to stay in place, the fierce intellect and a very shapely figure that had, he was obliged to admit, sent his mind on sensual detours more than once when in her company.
Upon reflection, there was actually a very great deal to admire about Miss Odile Aspen.
He shook his head as he continued walking, rejecting the possibility of making Miss Aspen his countess—provocative and entertaining though her company might be. He wasn’tthatdesperate to get his hands on Fox’s Reach. However, his mother need not know that. Two could play at her game, he decided, and there would be no harm in singing Miss Aspen’s praises at dinner, if only as a way of warning his mother not to interfere in his affairs.
The afternoon stretched before him and he decided to make good use of it. His mother, he knew, had invited some of her lady friends to tea. Reuben would be expected to show his face if he was at home, providing Sarah with an opportunity to become proprietorial. It was something she had done once or twice before, he belatedly realised, scowling. No man liked to be manipulated. It made him appear weak and diminished his authority.
‘She can’t lay claim to my affections if I’m not there, can she?’ he asked, addressing the question to his dog, who didn’t seem to have an opinion to offer on the matter, preferring to keep his nose pressed to the ground in pursuit of a rabbit’s trail. ‘And I can think of a much better use for my time.’
Reuben briefly dealt with the correspondence that awaited him and was about to escape without seeing his mother, when that lady accosted him in the hallway.
‘Ah, Reuben, there you are. I hope you have not forgotten my afternoon soiree.’
‘Sorry, Mother, but there is somewhere I have to be.’
‘Oh, but I thought…’ His mother’s face fell and Reuben felt momentarily guilty for disappointing her. Then he recalled her machinations and his sympathy evaporated. ‘Emily, tell your brother that he is needed here this afternoon.’
‘Did you find Willow?’ Emily asked, walking up to their mother’s side.
‘I did. She’d found her way to Fox’s Reach. She’d hurt her paw but our new neighbour made her comfortable. I have given her to Miss Aspen, since she seems like such a capable young lady. She and Willow are already very attached to one another and it would have been unkind to separate them. I will, of course, call frequently to ensure that the puppy thrives.’
When both ladies sent him astonished looks, Reuben realised that he might have gone too far and abruptly stopped speaking.
‘I am glad Willow has found a home where I shall be able to visit her too,’ Emily said, recovering first. ‘Besides, Miss Aspen will benefit from having a protector.’
Reuben turned an astonished laugh into a cough, wondering if his perspicacious sister’s remark had been as innocent as it seemed.
‘That she will.’ Reuben noticed Sarah hovering in the doorway to the drawing room and took advantage of her presence. ‘I shall make sure of it by calling frequently upon Miss Aspen. But now, if you will excuse me, Mother, there is somewhere I have to be.’
‘Always so busy,’ his mother replied with a fond smile. ‘Just like your dear father was. He was a slave to duty too.’
Reuben made his way to the stables, ordered Bandit to be saddled and left Chase in the care of Musgrove. His stallion was fresh and the two of them enjoyed a head-clearing gallop across the park until they reached the outskirts of the village. Reuben reined his horse in and walked him sedately down the main street, acknowledging acquaintances as he went. There was no sign of Brigstock, but Reuben suspected that he had not given up on Miss Aspen.
‘We’ll see about that,’ Reuben muttered to himself.
Barton, the local land agent who’d had charge of Fox’s Reach since it had fallen vacant, lived in a cottage at the far end of the village that doubled as his office. Reuben dismounted outside the premises, admiring the neat front garden in full bloom and a freshly painted white fence to which he attached Bandit’s reins. A large tabby cat sat on a window ledge, washing its face and eyeing Reuben with marked disinterest.
His knock was answered at once by Barton himself.
‘I saw you from the window, my lord,’ he said by way of explanation.
Reuben had had occasional dealings with the man since he’d assumed the earldom, and found him forthright and dependable. He invited Reuben inside with the maximum amount of civility and blessedly little flummery.
‘To what do I owe the pleasure, my lord?’ Barton asked after they were seated in comfortable chairs in front of an empty fireplace and Mrs Barton had served them both with tea. The windows were open, allowing a soft breeze to filter into the room, bringing with it the scent of the roses that framed the opening. The cat Reuben had seen earlier entered through the open window, settled down on a seat bathed in sunshine, swished its tail and appeared to fall asleep.
‘Fox’s Reach,’ Reuben replied, replacing his cup in its saucer and watching Barton carefully as he spoke.
‘Ah, I see.’ The agent smacked his lips together in a considering fashion, causing his bushy moustache to quiver. ‘I should have anticipated this. I knew no good would come of a young lady taking on the place alone and doubtless causing mischief, but I was powerless to prevent it.’
‘I have no objections to make about the lady, who is perfectly entitled to do as she pleases with her inheritance. I will confess, however, that I am unsure why you imagine she is out to make trouble.’
‘Well…that is, I assumed…’ Barton tugged at one end of his moustache. ‘I cannot imagine what other reason your lordship would have to concern yourself with the lady’s affairs.’
Reuben chose not to enlighten him. It was none of his damned business. ‘I am curious about the inheritance itself,’ he said. ‘What can you tell me about the property and what do you know about her entitlement to it?’
