LITMIR.BIZ

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be away for a month or more after all.”

      “As long as that? Do you find Mr. Winnie up to the task?”

      “More so than anyone else, I’d say. With Gibbs nearby we can always consult him if we run into any problems. My brother and his steward have the estate running like clockwork however, so it should just be a matter of keeping the gears turning. I don’t anticipate any trouble.”

      “But there will be trouble if you are late for dinner. Go up and change. I’ll meet you in the drawing room.”

      * * *

      Everyone but George and Leo had already gathered in the drawing room by the time I found my way back to the south wing. The double doors from the hall stood wide open as did the doors to the south terrace. The final rays of the sun cut across the patterned carpet on the diagonal, leaving one side awash in a yellowish glow while the other remained a deep red. Arthur and Eliza Durant stood together right on the dividing line and the light cut across them as well. Eliza’s left arm and shoulder shimmered in silver while the rest of her gown turned a dark gray. Half of Arthur’s face appeared warm and inviting, while the other half looked shadowed and cold.

      I shook off the strange observation and ventured inside the room, one of the most elaborate, and large, I’d seen outside a royal palace. The paneled walls were a warm ivory with the detailed plasterwork surrounding the high ceiling tipped in gold leaf. The portraits of Hazelton ancestors lined the walls, fitted right into the panels with frames built around them. The furnishings were a mix of Jacobean and Restoration, old and beautifully maintained.

      Fiona met me at the door and drew me toward the empty side of the room. “Were you able to locate my brother?” She slipped her gloved arm through mine, leaving us close enough for discreet confidences.

      “I did find him, but he was not alone.”

      She let out a tsk.

      “He was in conference with two of his staff, Kendrick, Durant, Treadwell, and Nash, discussing plans for their hunt and a replacement for Mr. Gibbs.”

      I gritted my teeth as I remembered the poor man’s condition. “His leg is indeed broken, and he’ll require quite a bit of time to heal properly.”

      “That’s unfortunate,” she replied absently. I couldn’t tell if she referred to the steward’s situation or the fact that I hadn’t been able to speak with George privately.

      We wandered to a sofa, and she pulled me down near her side. “Tell me about Mr. Kendrick’s sisters,” she whispered. “Are they always so disagreeable?”

      “Only when they are together, I think, or away from the supervision of their parents. Otherwise, they are quite pleasant.”

      “So, if the rest of us are to enjoy ourselves, we must attempt to keep them apart. Is that it? Send one on a mission to find bluebells in the woods, lock another in the attic, that sort of thing? That could be entertaining.”

      “I believe you can find a better source of amusement than tormenting Leo’s sisters, but you do make a good point. Perhaps we should each take charge of one sister.”

      “That still leaves one remaining.”

      “What is she to do, argue with herself? Besides, Leo and Charles will be shooting during the day, Lily and Lottie can play their part in keeping the sisters amiable.”

      “Lottie, perhaps, but Lily seems to have her hands full.” Fiona cast her gaze across the room to where Ernest Treadwell held Lily in captive conversation. “What is that all about?” she asked. “Is he setting himself up as a rival to Kendrick in the very days before the wedding?”

      “I can’t say what he’s thinking. I noticed how attentive he was to her on the train from London and so did Eliza Durant. I don’t know why Lily hasn’t put a stop to it. Or Leo, for that matter. Treadwell is supposed to be Leo’s best man, but he gives all the appearance of trying to win Lily’s favor.”

      As I came to my feet, Lily placed a hand on Mr. Treadwell’s arm. It was a far too familiar gesture. Was she leading him on? I stepped over to the pair and took my sister’s hand. “Dearest, Fiona and I must talk to you about the preparations for the church. As we have a few minutes before dinner, why don’t we do that now?” I turned to the young man who pursed his lips in annoyance. “You’ll excuse us, won’t you, Mr. Treadwell?”

      “Of course,” he replied, his voice a rich baritone, his smile clearly for Lily alone. The man was a practiced flirt but his expression seemed to hold more than mere flirtation.

      “Of course,” I repeated, hauling Lily away. He’d probably excuse her anything.

      “Frances, you’ve already told me about the arrangements for the church. Is there something else I should know?”

      “No, dear.” We paused by the open doors. I smiled at George, who’d just walked in, a sight to behold in his evening tails. Fiona shooed him away, and I returned my attention to Lily. “There’s something I need to know—specifically why you are encouraging that young man’s attentions.”

      Lily turned a shocked expression on Fiona, who merely raised a brow. Seeing she’d find no quarter there, she glanced back at me. I waited, not so patiently. Finally, she let out a breath in a huff. “I am not encouraging his attentions. How can you say such a thing?”

      “You are at the very least allowing them, which, he may well be taking as encouragement. Mr. Treadwell is your fiancé’s good friend. You will cause yourself no end of misery if you allow this to continue.”

      She lifted her chin in defiance. “I am allowing nothing. He is simply being kind.”

      Fiona looked doubtful, and I held up a hand to stop Lily’s protests.

      “You are both against me,” she said.

      “If the man were simply being polite or kind, I would find nothing wrong with his actions, or yours, but I’m beginning to think his feelings are engaged. To lead him on is not only cruel to him but unfair to Leo. Can you not see that?”

      Lily appeared to be sincerely surprised. “You think his feelings are engaged?”

      “I do. Are you telling me you’ve never noticed?”

      “No.” She frowned as if she were trying to decipher a puzzle. “I wanted to be friends with him since he is so close to Leo. We are thrown together quite often, and I find him a good companion when Leo is not available.” She shook her head and backed off a step. “I promise you, I never saw him as anything more than a friend, but he has become more attentive since we came away from London.”

      “I think he may see you differently,” Fiona said.

      Biting my lip, I nodded my agreement. “I’m relieved to learn you aren’t playing with his affections or teasing Leo, but I’d advise you to take care with Mr. Treadwell if you don’t want to damage your relationship with Leo.”

      At that moment the object of our conversation crossed the room with George and the second gong sounded for dinner. Lily sent her fiancé a smile. I knew her love for Leo was true and felt certain she’d take my caution to heart. But what of Mr. Treadwell? If he was such a great friend to Leo, why did he pursue the man’s intended?

      Chapter 5

      In the interest of keeping the Kendrick sisters apart, I invited Anne to join Rose and me on our morning ride the following day. She and I were just about to stop in the breakfast room for tea and toast when a footman handed me a note.

      “Mr. Hazelton asked you to meet him in the stables, my lady.”

      In the stables? I unfolded the note as the footman bowed and stepped away. Lady Rose and I are choosing a suitable mount. Won’t you join us? The warmth that radiated between one heartbeat and the next told me I was completely besotted with the man and delighted he was trying to win my daughter’s favor.

      Anne

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