Serena

“No doubt sent down by m’mother to haul me off and make certain I return to school,” he added, obviously attempting to show her the full horror of the situation he now faced. “Does no one understand I am a man and can make up my mind just what I want to do? The title is mine, the estate of Radburn is mine, and my decisions are mine to make.”

Serena did not argue with this. He was of course embarrassed, and she had no wish to further humiliate him.

His uncle approached and hailed him. “Well met, Freddy!”

“Uncle, what are you doing here?” he demanded, making it sound like an accusation.

Serena discovered blue, iced eyes staring hard at her and once again was struck dumb. What was wrong? Why was he looking at her like that?

“I …? But, of course, I am here to visit with Sir Newton. We are old friends, and he invited me to visit and enjoy some exercise with the hounds before the season begins. I was pleased to accept his invitation.”

Well done, Serena thought, keeping quiet as she watched the two interact. This was completely captivating—no, he was completely captivating.

“Sir Newton mentioned that you and he were old friends …” Freddy said doubtfully. “Are you staying with him then?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, he did invite me to stay with him, but I told him that since you were in town and staying at such a lovely inn, I rather thought I would put up there as well,” his lordship said glibly.

“Stay with me? At the inn? Are you trying to tell me that Mother did not send you?”

“Why should she? What is this? I had rather thought you would not mind your uncle’s company,” he returned, his dark brow up. “I see I was mistaken.”

Serena saw that Freddy had been thrown off balance. Freddy shot her a look, and she gave him an encouraging smile. She knew he adored his uncle, as he had often mentioned him.

“Well, we should not be discussing these matters on the open road, with Miss Moorely standing by like this,” Freddy said as he remounted his horse. “If you will excuse us, Uncle Danny, Serena and I have business in town.”

“Indeed, so you may, but first … I think an introduction would be pleasant,” his lordship said and eyed his nephew, again.

Reluctantly, Freddy made the introductions and with a nod said, “Later then, Uncle.”

Serena inclined her head and said softly, “Good-bye then. It was very nice meeting you, my Lord Pendleton.”

* * *

His lordship inclined his head as he answered in kind and tipped the brim of his hat.

Brazen minx, he thought, his mouth set in grim lines as he watched them leave. She rides off with Freddy, fully aware of her power. Well, well, young lady, we shall see. This is not going to be easy, but I am not about to allow you to ruin my nephew.

~ Five ~

THE ERRANDS IN Buckler’s Hard had been discharged, Freddy’s horse had a new shoe, and Serena was looking forward to getting home. They were once more following the main pike, this time making their way back to Moorely Grange.

Serena eyed Freddy, who had been oddly quiet, and said, “You were a bit hard on your uncle before, don’t you think?”

“He shouldn’t have come,” Freddy returned sullenly. “He can’t think I believe that he came to watch hounds getting trained? Absurd.”

“Why wouldn’t he enjoy that? I thought you said he was keen on fox hunting.”

“Because he hunts the Quorn,” Freddy said, as though this was explanation enough.

Serena was curious. “I got the impression when you mentioned his lordship to me, which you have more often than not, that you rather liked him? In fact, I remember you saying that your uncle Danny was the best of old chaps.”

“Oh, as to that, I do like him … very fond of him, in fact. He is a great gun, you know, but well, never mind.”

Serena smiled and allowed the subject to drop, but she was certain that Freddy was correct in thinking his uncle had come to fetch him. Not only that, but she had come to believe after giving it some thought that the harsh look his lordship had cast her way must mean he blamed her for Freddy’s not returning to school. She became certain of this the more she thought of it. Freddy’s family, no doubt, thought she was the cause and the culprit. It was very demeaning and most annoying. How dare they blame her without knowing the facts?

“You know, Serena, m’mother is the best of all good mothers, but she has to let go of the apron strings, doesn’t she? After all, I am nearly twenty and shall be twenty-one next year, after all, and it is very disappointing to find Uncle Danny falling in with her schemes. How could she have taken him in like that?”

“Taken in, Freddy?”