A Gifted Earl: Regency Romance by Arietta Richmond

Author:Arietta Richmond [Richmond, Arietta]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dreamstone Publishing
Published: 2023-11-22T16:00:00+00:00

*****

“If we keep just the one carriage, and just the strongest pair to pull it, plus a riding horse each, we should realise a decent sum. The brood mares are valuable, and the stallion will bring a good price, even if he is getting a bit old now. After that, we’ll be down to selling more of the paintings and some of the silverware, and as a last resort, reducing staff, but selling the horses and carriages should get us through to March if they sell well. I’ve sent letters to those we’ve sold horses to before, and given them first options.”

Venetia sipped her tea, considering her mother’s words. Her mind went back to London, to the hopes she’d nurtured, the hopes which revolved around Lord Templewick. She’d obviously been a complete fool. But she still dreamed about him, still wished for more.

When her mother spoke of needing a miracle, in Venetia’s mind, the miracle was presented in the form of one particular Earl. Those thoughts were so foolish that she nearly laughed at herself, but knowing that did not banish them.

“Have any of them responded?”

“It’s only been a week since I sent them – but yes, one has responded so far – Lord Crosswood is sending a man to assess the horses we have on offer, and potentially purchase on the spot. If we are lucky, he will arrive today, or perhaps tomorrow.”

Lord Crosswood! Wasn’t he the one whose man had sewn up her face?

“Wasn’t Lord Crosswood the one whose horse was collected the day of my fall?”

Her mother nodded, her expression holding sadness.

“He was – it was his man who did such tidy work on your face. Perhaps it will be the same man who comes this time?”

A shiver ran through Venetia at the thought – but she knew, in the same instant, that it would not be the same man. For she felt more and more certain that the man who had worked on her face was the same man who was now the Earl of Templewick. It was improbable, and she could not imagine how it could be true, and yet she felt that it was, with a deep inner certainty. Not that she could ever have asked him – that would have been unforgivably intrusive, and insulting, should it not be the same person.

“Perhaps…” It was at that exact moment that a knock came upon the front door. They looked at each other, and Venetia gave a half choked off laugh. “Have we summoned him with our words?”

“We shall see in a moment, shan’t we?”

They listened as the butler opened the door, and a few moments later, there was a tap on the parlour door.

“Enter.”

The door opened.

“My Lady, Mr Holley has come from Lord Crosswood – about the horses.”

They rose, and the man bowed, a little awkwardly, cap in hand. Venetia studied him carefully, but she knew, from her first glance, that this was a different man. She glanced at her mother, whose momentary expression showed that she agreed with that assessment.

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