The finality of her tone sent a wave of panic through him.What have I done?But it was much too late now. Tamping it down, he responded, “Immediately. My associate and our belongings are in a carriage in your drive as we speak.”
“Splendid.” She reached for a bell on the small table beside her and rang it with vigor. Immediately the butler appeared in the doorway. “Jasper, please see to the carriage in the drive. And we will need two more bedrooms prepared, as my great-nephew and his friend will be staying with us.”
“Very good, my lady.”
Great-Nephew.The word jolted him, sending a shiver up his spine. Disconcerted by his reaction to a label he should feel nothing for, he rose abruptly. “I will apprise Quincy that things have been settled,” he stated, suddenly desperate to leave her. Before he could depart, however, the click of canine nails on the polished wood floor heralded the arrival of Lady Tesh’s pet. The creature entered the room with a prancing step, followed closely by the young woman from that morning.
He sucked in a breath at the sight of her. For she was even lovelier than he remembered. Locks of gilded curls bounced about her shoulders, caressing the long, graceful column of her neck. An overly decorated pale blue gown of some expensive, shimmery material hugged her small breasts and moved in glistening folds with each step she took. Her eyes, with their fringe of thick lashes, settled on him, widening perceptibly. That lush little mouth opened in surprise.
“Oh,” she said, the word a mere breath of sound.
Peter could only stare back at her, at a loss as to what he had been about to do.
“My dear, you have returned. And how was your walk?” Lady Tesh spoke into the ensuing silence, snapping Peter back to the moment.
The young lady gave him one last look before gliding toward the viscountess. As she passed him, Peter felt a rush of air, and the faint, sweet scent of summer berries teased his senses. He watched as she placed a kiss upon the older woman’s cheek. “The walk was lovely, Gran. I had not realized how much I needed the exercise after such a lengthy trip.”
“Gran?” Peter demanded before he could school his tongue. Had his suspicions been confirmed, and this young woman was related to him?
And why did that leave a bad taste in his mouth?
“I’m glad for it,” Lady Tesh said to her with a soft smile. “But let me introduce you to our guest. My dear, this is my great-nephew, Mr. Peter Ashford. Peter, this is Miss Lenora Hartley. I was her mother’s godmother, and over the years, Lenora has become dear friends with my granddaughter, Margery. She is staying with us for the time being.”
Even as a disturbing relief flowed through him at the realization that Miss Hartley was not a relation, another unwelcome bit of knowledge punched him in the gut.Staying with us?Which meant this lovely creature, who had invaded his thoughts in the most unwelcome way, was also a guest in this house. “You did not tell me you already had guests, madam,” Peter said, his voice sounding strangled to his own ears.
“I can assure you,” she said with an amused smile, “there is plenty of room for all of us. You and your friend will not be crowded in the least.”
That, Peter thought as he gazed into Miss Hartley’s flushed face, may be true. What it would do to his peace of mind, however, was another matter entirely.
***
After her confusing—and frankly disturbing—thoughts about the Duke of Dane’s heir, the last thing Lenora wanted to see was that very same man standing in Lady Tesh’s sitting room.
She dipped a curtsy, praying her trembling knees held her steady, and shot a quick glance at Lady Tesh. The viscountess was watching her intently, concern, as well as curiosity, mingling on her deeply lined face. As confused as she was regarding the older woman’s intentions in inviting Mr. Ashford to stay, she could not deny the man had a right to be there.
“It’s a pleasure,” Lenora said to him now.
He inclined his head, fixing her with the same intense gaze he had earlier that day. The trembling in her legs spread to the rest of her, making her feel strangely flushed and achy.
What in the world was wrong with her?
“So happy to have met you,” she continued in a rush, “and I do hope you enjoy your stay, but I must run. Margery is expecting me, and I’m late as it is, as I was out walking Freya. Freya is quite fond of the copse of trees close to the cliff, you see”—keep quiet, Lenora—“and was taking much longer than anticipated. Not that I mind walking her.”Goodness, stop talking!“No, it is a pleasure to help Lady Tesh out in any way. Though, of course, there are servants aplenty to do the job. Still I felt it imperative I do my part while staying here.”
Mr. Ashford was looking at her as if she had dropped to all fours and bayed like a dog. Lenora clamped her lips together and offered him a wan smile.
“Who is Freya?” he demanded.
That was what he took from her babbling?“The dog. Freya is the dog,” she replied a bit breathlessly.
Everyone looked down to the creature in question, who promptly sneezed.
“She’s named for a Viking goddess,” Lenora finished lamely.
“A goddess.”
“Yes.”
Silence descended. Mr. Ashford continued to stare at Freya, who in turn ignored him with cool unconcern. If dogs could feel cool unconcern.
