An Uncommon Earl by Sian Ann Bessey

Author:Sian Ann Bessey [Bessey, Sian Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: England, historical romance, Georgian, cripple, child, parent, adoption, wholesome, Wholesome Romance, accident, flower girl, clean, romance, earl, Georgian Romance
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2021-04-04T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Alexander followed the Hadford’s footman down the gravel path that cut across Charwell Park’s back lawn. Rose bushes surrounded a small fountain to his right. They were in full leaf but had yet to bloom. The flowerbeds to his left, however, were already awash with colors. He did not recognize more than a couple blooms, but it was enough to know that the gardeners had done their job well.

A thick privet hedge bordered the garden, and as he drew closer to the end of the lawn, he noticed an arched opening amid the greenery. It was the entrance to the orchard, no doubt. He stifled a smile. Receiving an earl in an orchard was certainly not the norm. Then again, he was beginning to expect the unusual when it came to Miss Hadford. The drawing room would have been far too ordinary.

The footman walked through the gap in the hedge and then stopped. “Lord Bloxley to see you, miss.”

Alexander stepped forward. The footman gave him a deferential nod and slipped away.

Miss Hadford was sitting on a bench beneath an apple tree. Her cream gown was the same hue as the thousands of apple blossoms above her head, but as she came to her feet to greet him, it was her warm, brown eyes that arrested his gaze. She smiled at him. It was a hesitant smile, so natural and so honest it put him at ease immediately.

“Good morning, Lord Bloxley.”

He inclined his head. “And to you, Miss Hadford.”

At her left, a small child rose to his feet and moved to stand beside her, but before Alexander could get a good look at him, the child ducked his head behind Miss Hadford’s gown and pressed himself firmly against her leg.

With one hand on her cane to steady her, Miss Hadford moved the other to gently stroke the little boy’s head. “Asher,” she said softly. “This is Lord Bloxley.” The child peeked one eye out from behind the gown’s fabric, but his hands remained firmly attached to it. “I would like you to step forward and meet him. He is my friend.”

Alexander recognized the unspoken apology in her eyes, but rather than feel affronted at her claiming a position of such familiarity with him, he was awed. Her obvious compassion for the orphaned child of a flower lady amazed him. Never would his own mother have treated him with such tenderness. And if he had ever burrowed his way into her skirts—particularly with dirty hands—he would have been sent packing to the nursery with a scolding. His mother was a good woman, but she did not readily show affection. It struck him then that this was his chance to behave differently, to follow Miss Hadford’s example rather than the one he’d been offered in his youth.

Lowering himself into a crouched position so that he was much closer in height to the little boy, Alexander smiled. “Good morning, Asher. I am very pleased to meet you.”

“Good morning, sir.” His voice was so low Alexander had to strain to hear it.

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