Enticing the Earl

They both raced up the stairs when no one was watching and into Caroline’s room. She opened her linen press and pulled out a burgundy riding habit.

As Caroline helped her undress, Mia asked, “Caroline, can you tell me what happened with Simon five years ago? Did he really almost kill a man?”

“That was a long time ago, Mia. Simon has grown up and can handle his temper now.”

“Can he?”

“Yes. He won’t hurt Charlie.” Caroline’s fingers paused on the buttons of Mia’s gown. “Well, he won’t kill him. Charlie might deserve a little beating if he hired Lambert.”

“But we don’t know if that’s what he did.”

“Exactly. And Simon won’t hurt him if he had nothing to do with it.”

Except it would be a huge coincidence if Lambert just happened to be out at Hartsfield Park looking for the small treasure she’d found. There was no reason for him to be there unless he’d been told about the treasure. Any one of the tenants might have slipped and said something to Charlie.

“Oh, Caroline, I have a dreadful feeling about all of this,” Mia whispered.

“So do I.”

Chapter 26

Even on horseback, it took Simon over two days to get back to Hartsfield Park. In all that time, he still hadn’t determined what he would do when he found his brother. Most of the trip, he’d been praying he wouldn’t find Charlie there. That he’d been wrong about everything.

Things still didn’t make sense. If Charlie needed money, he could have come to him. Charlie had no idea about Burton embezzling the money until after he’d arrived at Hartsfield Park. It had to all be a coincidence.

He deliberately came up to the house from the back way to garner less notice. He jumped off his horse and walked into the stables.

“Afternoon, milord,” one of the boys said. He stopped mucking out the stall and took the reins of the horse.

“She’s had a very hard ride so treat her well and give her extra oats.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And lad.” Simon waited for the boy to look at him. “If anyone asks, I was never here.”

“Huh?”

“You did not see me here today.”

The boy shrugged. “As you wish, milord.”

“Thank you.”

Simon looked around outside before venturing up to the house. The door opened but he put a finger to his lips before Harris said his name. “Is my brother in residence, Harris?” he whispered.

“Yes, my lord,” Harris whispered in return. “But he’s not at home right now. He went out for a ride.”

“Do not inform him that I am here.”

“As you wish, my lord.”

“I would like a bath, Harris. It’s been a dreadful couple of days.”

“Of course, sir. Did the countess join you?” Harris asked.

“No, she is staying with my sister for a few more days.” Simon walked to the steps with weary feet. “Please make sure no one speaks of my presence to my brother. I would like to surprise him.”

Harris’s white brows furrowed until a deep crevasse formed. “Very good, sir.”