Page 36 of Lord of Mischief
Chapter Twenty
The following morning Freddie and Thomas went out for an early morning ride.Settling into the saddle, Freddie grinned at his brother.It felt like forever since they had shared time together away from friends and family.
They rode their mounts hard into the nearby village of Thorney.Freddie dug his heels in as they reached a bend in the narrow road.It was just like rounding the corner from Oxford Street into Tyburn Lane.He showed Thomas a clean set of heels, the same as he had done with Lord Godwin.
Coming out of the bend he came upon a shepherd and his flock.Sheep scattered in all directions, and Freddie hooted with laughter as he heard the bellow of the angry shepherd.He kept on the road until the shepherd and his sheep were out of sight.
When Thomas did not appear out of the bend, Freddie slowed his horse, and waited.After a few minutes, he tired of waiting and turned back.
When Freddie finally came upon his brother, Thomas had dismounted and was helping the shepherd to gather his flock.Upon seeing Freddie, Thomas gave him a look that didn’t need explanation.They were the local nobility, and it did not behoove them to go tearing about the countryside causing mayhem.
Freddie dismounted and spent the next half an hour helping to set right his misdemeanor.He slipped a coin into the palm of the shepherd to ensure his father did not get wind of his early morning antics.
He was about to mount his horse and make ready to head back to Rosemount Abbey when he had a second thought.He dipped his head toward the nearby village tavern.
“Fancy an early ale and some cheese bread?”he asked his brother.
Thomas accepted the peace offering.“You, genius, read my mind.”
The tavern owner was just beginning to set up for the day and was happy to assist with pouring the sons of the local nobleman a fresh pint of ale.The brothers took a seat outside the tavern and watched the early morning to and fro of the villagers.
“So, are we expecting an announcement sometime this week, brother dear?”asked Thomas.
Freddie sipped at his beer.He had been waiting for the moment when Thomas would raise the question of his and Eve’s relationship.“I expect so.She seems eager to get things on a more formal footing.Mama is also keen to get me thrust into the arms of wedded bliss.”
Thomas set his tankard down and sat up straight.Sensing a serious conversation was about to take place, Freddie gave his older brother his full attention.
“And what about you?What do you want, Freddie?Don’t be sitting on the sidelines while the battle for your future is being fought.If you are not completely sure of how you feel about Eve Saunders, you need to do something about it before it is too late.”
Freddie raised an eyebrow.He hadn’t expected Thomas to say anything against him marrying a girl from such a fine family.Indeed, he had expected Thomas to press for him to hurry up and propose to Eve.“I think we will do fine together.She is a bright girl and has spirit.I don’t see why we wouldn’t be happy,” he replied.
“You don’t sound convinced.”
Freddie shook his head.Of course, he was convinced.Eve and he had had a brilliant partnership during the Bachelor Board challenges.In fact, she was one of the main reasons he was about to claim the prize.He couldn’t imagine life without her.
There was also the small matter that she and he had indulged in several sexual activities that demanded he make her his wife.Eve wasn’t technically ruined, but she was no longer an innocent by any social standards.
“Expect to hear an announcement by the end of the week.Our wedding will be a little grander than yours and Cecily’s, but that’s what comes of the bride having uncles who are bishops and dukes.Her brother was recently married at St Paul’s Cathedral, so I expect that is where we too will be wed.Anywhere else would not be right,” he replied.
Thomas said nothing and went back to drinking his beer and eating his cheese bread.
Eve was up early that morning as well.She was walking the grounds of Rosemount Abbey, her mind full, imagining what it would be like to live there.The lush green of the English countryside was a soul-enriching contrast to the grey and filth of London.
Life at the abbey and its relative close proximity to London meant she could easily move between both worlds.With Freddie about to secure his position on the Bachelor Boardthey would need to spend a great deal of their time in London, but they would be able to spend time at the abbey.
Long summer nights spent lounging on the stone terrace with her siblings, their respective spouses, and children, beckoned.
She passed by the stables and was heading toward the ornamental lake when Cecily Rosemount hailed her.
“Good morning, Eve.Lovely day,” she said.
Eve smiled.She had immediately taken to the future Viscountess Rosemount.She was a fresh-faced young woman who clearly had the eye of her husband’s love.
“It’s beautiful out here at this hour of the day.I was watching the sun burn through the early morning mist over the lake,” replied Eve.
Cecily came to stand beside her.She was dressed in a simple olive-green gown with a large woolen shawl wrapped around her shoulders.Her manner of dress was that of someone who did not care for the fancy gowns of London.
Eve turned to her.“Have you lived around the district all your life?”
