On the way to the kitchen, she passed the parlor door. She glanced into the room and was shocked to see a man reclining on the sofa.
“Hello?”
The stranger sat up, wincing.
“Oh dear, are you hurt?”
“Who are you? came a gruff reply.”
“I’m Miss Bainbridge. And you are?”
“No oneof consequence.”
“I doubt that. Edgerton doesn’t allow just anyone to stay in the cottage.”
Millie walked down the hallway toward the parlor. “Miss Bainbridge? May I help you?”
“Who is this man?”
“That’s Mr. Bishop.”
“Mr. Bishop?”
Millie nodded, and Emma glanced back at him.
He mumbled something Emma couldn’t hear.
“So, Mr. Bishop, are you a friend of my brother’s?”
“Something like that.”
She fisted her hands. “You’re a most exasperating man. Must you be so vague?”
“You shouldn’t be here, Miss Bainbridge. Go home now.”
Emma’s eyes widened as she noticed a growing red stain on Mr. Bishop’s shirt. “You’re hurt!” she cried, rushing to him. “What happened?”
He struggled to his feet. “Nothing. Now leave and don’t come back.”
Emma watched him stalk out of the parlor, puzzled by the whole encounter.
“I told him it was too early to leave his bed. I bet he popped a stitch or two. I’ll see to him. Good day, Miss Bainbridge,” Millie said, rushing after him.
Emma thought about Mr. Bishop while she walked back to the Hall. Who was he, and why was he stayingin the dower house? She had a feeling her brother wouldn’t tell her anything even if she asked. In the end, it was no consequence to her who her brother allowed to stay at the cottage, but her curiosity was piqued.
At least this new puzzle kept her from obsessing over the Duke of Richmond. That had to be a good thing, didn’t it?
Chapter 10
Richmond looked forward to his morning rides with Emma. He loved seeing the joy on her face as she raced across the meadow. Each day, she was a bit more open with him, telling him about her childhood and listening as he regaled her with stories about his own. He’d been devastated when his older brother and father were killed in the carriage accident, and Emma seemed to understand the depth of his despair without being patronizing. To be thrust into the responsibilities of being the duke and supervising the upbringing of his sisters, and taking care of his tenants had been a monumental change in the direction of his life. He hadn’t decided what he wanted to do with his life before the accident, and that was probably a good thing because, with their deaths, his life was now mapped out for him.
He strode into the dining room, glad to see Emma already seated and eating a hearty breakfast. “Good morning, Miss Bainbridge.”
She looked up and gave him a brilliant smile. His heart skipped a beat. “Good morning, Your Grace. I hope you slept well.”
“I did indeed. Perhaps after our ride, you’d like to visit Warrington. I promised Sophia and Julia a trip into town.”
“I’d love to, most especially to find Charlotte some new books.”
