Lady Bess

He could have spent a pleasant hour with her there and still had enough time before Bess’s party arrived. Yet … he wasn’t moved to do so. Why didn’t matter, so he didn’t ask himself why at that moment.

Finally, he took her outdoors and walked her towards his stables.

She had questioned him about the estate’s history. He would have been happy enough to answer her questions about his heritage, if only she wouldn’t interrupt him every other sentence. “Aye then, m’mother’s family traces their roots here to the twelfth century and are of Saxon origin. It has been modernized and updated many times over the years, but here we are …”

The stables appeared, and he was aware of a huge sense of relief. He had sent a servant to ready her horse a bit earlier, and he realized he was heartily pleased to be able to send her on her way.

She should have left hours ago. She hadn’t been invited, and it was not his custom to welcome his mistresses when they had not been invited. That way led to complications.

He wasn’t going to allow her to put him in a compromising position, either, so he had conducted her visit beneath the eyes of one servant or other, leaving the door open to whatever room they happened to be in.

The fact that she had come to visit him alone was not a good thing for either of them at this stage of their relationship. Besides that, he had an odd compulsion to be rid of her before the viscount arrived with his daughter, Bess. Why that was he didn’t bother to explore. He only knew it was time for Sally to leave.

A groom came out of the large, magnificently built stable and led her bay gelding towards them.

The earl eyed her with an apologetic smile. “You know it does your reputation no good to be here, alone, with me.”

“As though I give a rap for my reputation,” she answered with a slight curl of her lip. “Let them say what they want. I am a rich young widow and one of Prinny’s favorites. What can they do but gossip, and they would do that anyway.”

He laughed and said on a low note, “Perhaps I care what they say.”

“Do you? I don’t think so. I am not fooled, John. We should be upstairs, alone in your room, doing what we do so well together, but …” She shrugged. “You have a little horsey group of people coming soon, don’t you?” She eyed him. “You don’t want to be caught in a compromising position when they arrive, and so I am ushered off.”

His voice was low, and his eyes narrowed. “Sally, you and I are all about having fun. When it ceases to be fun, well then, it ceases. I thought we understood that.”

Her eyebrow went up. “Is that what you think? Ah, my sweet John, I mean to have more of you—much more.” Her laughter irritated his nerves as she easily hoisted herself into her saddle.

“You shan’t see me for a few days,” she said while gazing at him sensually. “I am off with my friends. I can see you will be dull work when involved with all this nonsense about your Bold Tim.” She leaned to give him her hand. “Shall you miss me?”

“Of course, m’beauty,” he answered, wondering why he kept up the pretense. He had wearied of Sally and her games quite some weeks ago.

He watched her walk her horse down the driveway in thoughtful silence. She could be a problem. A determined woman was always a problem. Sally was not the sort to let go easily. However, he didna see that she had a choice.

He turned to walk back to the house and had nearly reached the front courtyard when a sound at his back brought his head around.

He was pleased to see them, but he wondered briefly if they had passed Sally in the drive. If so, had she said anything untoward?

His second thought was a question—what would Lady Bess have thought of a woman riding away unattended from a bachelor’s residence? His third, also a question, was why did he care?

Time to contemplate these questio

ns was not something he had as they trotted merrily up to him. He smiled, for he liked this lively crew and was well pleased that he had invited them to stay over. He noted all were on horseback, leaving their driver to bring along their luggage in the coach at their back. He smiled to himself as well as to them as they approached, for they were laughing and teasing one another, and it was certainly infectious.

He heard Robby complain in between the good-natured raillery, “But, Donna, I am hungry. We already visited Bold Tim. Let the viscount and Bess go on with the earl, and let’s you and I enjoy high tea.”

“Oh pooh, it will be dark by then, for ’tis nearly four. Don’t you want to stretch your legs and have a walk?”

“No, my legs have been stretched enough riding over here,” Robby said emphatically.

The earl laughed as he stepped forward and reassured Robby, “Tea will be served first before we go up to the stables, and I think Cook has made some of her famous little sandwiches for her buffet.”

“Little sandwiches?” Robby returned, sounding horrified. “Little sandwiches! Not those tiny finger things—indeed, John, I need more than that.”

Obviously displeased with her husband’s manners, Donna exclaimed, “Robby!”

The earl chuckled and offered, “Doona worry, lad. I’m certain there is enough on the side table Cook has arranged to satisfy ye.”

Bess laughed and agreed, “I’m starving too, Robby, so indeed, tea and a selection of food sounds wonderful.”