The Earl's Beauty by JoMarie DeGioia

Author:JoMarie DeGioia
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, regency romance, gothic romance, london romance, wealthy man romance, lord and lady romance
Publisher: JoMarie DeGioia

Chapter 16

The next day they rode into Newcastle, situated in the county of Northumberland. As they passed through the town of Newcastle, Mary noted that many of the shopkeepers and residents of the town proper came out to wave to the carriage. She caught bits and pieces of the exclamations from the townsfolk through the open window of the carriage. Some remarked on the great fortune to have the earl back in the country, while others wondered about the new countess. Congratulations rang out and Daniel was obliged to lift the window shade and wave at them, grinning ear-to-ear as he did so.

“Show us your bride, my lord!” one man shouted.

“Let us see the new countess!” said another man.

Daniel looked back at Mary, his brows raised in question. She nodded and took a moment to tuck her hair into her straw bonnet. She was grateful that she’d chosen a simple traveling dress today, topped with a favorite blue velvet spencer. Without Jane’s assistance, her hair was simply dressed as well.

Daniel moved back and allowed her to lean out the window. She took a breath and waved one hand in a gesture of greeting, smiling at the curious people lining the cobblestone street.

“What beauty, Lord Ashworth.” a woman said.

“You’ve chosen a most fitting countess,” an older man said.

Mary bowed her head in thanks for their compliments and settled back against her seat, her cheeks warm. Daniel laughed lightly, pride as well as amusement evident in his wide smile.

“I believe the denizens much admire and respect you, Daniel,” Mary said with a smile of her own.

Daniel nodded and waved once more out the window. He turned to face her again, stretching his long legs in the carriage.

“Ashworth Hall is situated just a few miles north of the village, Mary. The family has been very good to these people over the years. In fact, the hall employs many of them, as do the coal mines.” He smiled crookedly, his eyes alight. “They feel quite a natural interest in all that concerns us, I’m afraid. They always have. Why, when Patrick—”

He stopped and reddened, his mouth closed tight.

“Patrick?” Mary asked. “Who is Patrick?”

“It doesn’t concern you,” he snapped.

His curtness discouraged any more inquiring on Mary’s part. She spoke then of the beautiful rolling hills that led from the town and he told her that they would soon be coming onto Ashworth land.

The mansion was quite beautiful and impressive. It was situated most agreeably, and the approach to the house gave the visitor a tantalizing glimpse of pink brick through the many trees which lined the road. Set on a rise, the hall overlooked a magnificent lake and rolling grounds of deep green. Numerous pillars stood at the entry of the house, supporting a great pediment over the main entryway. Many windows dotted the front façade, indicating to Mary the guarantee of many comfortable rooms within. A substantial stone drive met the wide steps which led to the large white doors set beneath that pediment.

“Ashworth Hall is most impressive, Daniel,” Mary said with a smile.

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