The Ton's Most Notorious Rake by Sarah Mallory

Author:Sarah Mallory
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-12-06T18:20:28+00:00

Chapter Eight

Molly returned from Prospect House just as the sun was setting and was surprised to find Edwin waiting for her in the hall.

‘Molly, love, you are later than I expected. Is all well at Prospect House? Marjorie, and her baby?’

‘Yes, yes, everything is well, but there was so much to do—butter and cheese to be packed, eggs to be collected. Oh, a hundred little things. And with Marjorie looking after her new baby, they were glad of another pair of hands. However, Marjorie has been able to return to her sewing and is once more overseeing the other girls. They have produced some delightful work, including several pairs of gloves and embroidered slippers to sell tomorrow.’ Weary as she was, she summoned up a laugh. ‘I might even buy a pair for you, Edwin.’

His responding smile was distracted.

‘Molly, my dear, do you remember I was talking of the unforeseen consequences of Sir Gerald’s sending his staff away to enjoy themselves?’

‘Of course. Edwin, what is it?’

Her immediate concern was dispelled when she saw how his eyes were dancing. ‘I think you had best come into the drawing room, my dear.’

* * *

Russ had been surprised when Gerald informed him that he had paid most of his staff to go away for a while, but he had no objection to living frugally for a few weeks. Indeed, it suited his mood very well and since Gerald refused to quit Newlands, a period of self-denial where he might feel sorry for himself was just what he wanted.

‘It will not be so bad,’ Gerald had told him. ‘Remember when we first arrived in London and had only one manservant between us? The stables are still fully staffed, so what with riding, hunting and shooting, we shall be out of doors every day. And for the rest, your man and mine are both capable of turning out a good meal. Besides, there are some servants left below stairs. No, my friend, we shall go on very well.’

And so it seemed. They sat very comfortably in the kitchen in the evenings, drinking wine while the two valets cooked, and when they met the squire out shooting and invited him to take pot luck with them, they sat down to succulent beefsteaks with oyster sauce. Even Sir William had confessed it was very pleasant to be able to relax in one’s stockinged feet occasionally.

The good weather held into their second week, allowing Russ and Gerald to ride out regularly, but no matter how hard he rode or how tired he might be, Russ was aware of a simmering disquiet and a wish to see Molly Morgan. She was on his mind constantly, and when, late one afternoon, he and Gerald returned from a long day’s riding and they glimpsed a figure moving past the drawing-room window, his pulse leapt.

‘Now, who the devil can that be?’ muttered Gerald.

With no women servants in the house it must be a visitor and Russ thought, hoped, it might be Molly.

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