Earl on the Run by Jane Ashford

Author:Jane Ashford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2022-01-28T00:00:00+00:00

Nine

Sitting with her mother in her parlor the following morning, Harriet wondered a little at the servants’ silence about her mishap. Though most of them surely knew in what state she’d returned, none seemed to have told Grandfather or Mama. Her grandfather had questioned her closely about the outing, yes. But his inquiries had focused on the earl’s level of interest in her, the chance of an early proposal, and ways she could encourage him to make an offer. Mama had followed this dinner conversation like a gambler who’d wagered more than she could afford on a hand of cards, her head moving anxiously back and forth between them. Otherwise, she’d barely mentioned the ride. Harriet appreciated the staff’s restraint. It made her feel a bit more at home in Winstead Hall.

The butler entered to announce, “The Duchess of Tereford.” Cecelia followed him into the room, serenely elegant as always in a chip-straw bonnet and sprig muslin gown.

They exchanged greetings, and Cecelia was offered a chair. “I had thought we might walk in the garden, Harriet,” she replied.

Taking in their caller’s determined expression, Harriet saw she intended to talk about the ride, all of it. “It is rather windy,” Harriet replied. “Won’t you be more comfortable inside?”

“I find the weather invigorating,” Cecelia answered.

“It looks as if it may rain,” Harriet tried.

“I don’t think so.”

“There are clouds blowing…”

“I wish to speak to you privately,” interrupted the duchess. “About a matter of some importance.”

It was unsporting of her to be so forthright, Harriet thought. Because, of course, this stirred up her mother, who immediately looked worried. She watched them go with an anxious frown. Harriet wasn’t even able to dally in fetching her hat. Cecelia followed right along to her bedchamber.

“So,” the duchess said when they had left the house well behind. “Ferrington.”

Harriet pretended to admire a spray of delphinium. It was windy. The blossoms dipped and swayed.

“The man you were so enthusiastically kissing by the stream,” Cecelia added.

“That was not enthusiasm,” Harriet blurted. “I was, er, overset by relief after my fall.”

“Ah, relief.”

Harriet could practically feel her friend’s gaze on the side of her face. She certainly heard the skepticism in her tone.

“I can’t say relief has ever moved me in precisely that way,” said Cecelia.

Shifting ground, Harriet said, “He took me by surprise.”

“Did he? A swooping descent? And yet it didn’t look as if you wished to push him away. In fact, it seemed to me that you might have kissed him before.”

She had no way of knowing that. Harriet was not going to admit it.

“Did he manage to plead his case with you?” Cecelia asked.

“What case?”

“He told me he was very eager to regain your good opinion.”

“You talked about me?”

“Only a little. I noticed the constraint between you when we called here, and I asked him about it. He seemed…distressed by whatever has passed between you, Harriet. And eager for a chance to explain.”

“He is a complete rogue,” replied Harriet.

“He seemed to think that is what you liked about him.

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