Richard shook his head. “I doubt it. Besides, that amount of land?” He whistled softly through his teeth. “The money needed to purchase those acres would be phenomenal. I would imagine there are only a few Dukes around with sufficient assets to put in a bid.”
“All right. I’ll accept that, because it seems rational.”
“Thank you,” replied Richard, his lips twisting into a wry grin. “I am pleased you have decided I possess a modicum of common sense.”
“Well, that’s a given. After all, you’re a solicitor, for heaven’s sake. I would assume being sensible is a basic requisite for that sort of work.”
He laughed. “Mostly.”
She smiled back, her eyes lighting up in amusement. Then her face became serious. “You cannot remain here for too long, Mr Hawkesbury. You are aware of that…”
“I know,” he nodded. “This…” he waved his hands around, “your little Nook…it is a miracle and has probably saved my life. As have you.”
Holly knew colour was rising in her cheeks at the praise, but ignored it. “Anyone would have done the same. But now we must consider how to move forward and ensure that you reach your original destination.”
“Damn,” he muttered beneath his breath.
Surprised, Holly frowned at him. “What?”
He tilted his head to the window. “It’s begun to snow.”
“Urgh.” She unfolded herself from the chair and walked to the window. “Well, that does it. The clouds are heavy, and there’sno sign of any breaks in the distance. We’re in for a good one, apparently.” Turning to look at him, she shook her head. “I’ve grown up with this weather, and I know what’s ahead. Nobody is going to be able to ride anywhere, least of all London, for a few days at least.”
His shoulders clearly sagged. “I have to think,” he muttered. “This is a dangerous mess, Miss Trease. One I would not have you involved in.”
“And Blackstone is part of it, I would assume,” she replied calmly.
He opened his mouth to reply, but she held up her hand. “Don’t bother. I pride myself on being fairly intelligent, and our conversation, although lacking a lot of specific details…” a glare followed, “has clearly led to that conclusion. Whatever Blackstone is doing with Sir Duncan, it’s not business as usual.”
“I should leave. If I could get a horse, I could at least get a few miles away…”
“No, that’s not going to work. I can’t just go to our stables, saddle a horse, and tell our head groom it’s for some man I met in the forest. He would refuse me without hesitation.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not the best horsewoman around, and to ask for a horse for myself at the beginning of a snowstorm?” Her eyes said it all.
“All right, we’ll set that idea aside.” He stood, pushing the blanket and cloak aside, and stretching a little, wincing as his arms moved.
“How is the wound?” Holly got up and moved close, pushing the jacket away from his shirt. “Hmm. No bleeding, that’s good…” She started to unbutton it. “Let me look…”
“Er, thank you, but no.” His hand stopped hers. “It is healing well. I washed it clean, and in fact only the skin was pierced. I was very lucky indeed.”
Oddly rattled by the touch of his hand on her fingers, Holly nodded and stepped back, out of reach. “I will take your word for it then, since you have professed to be a sensible solicitor.”
He had to chuckle at that, but acknowledged the vague compliment with a dip of his head.
“So there’s really only one thing for it, Mr Hawkesbury.”
“What’s that?”
“You will have stay at Forest Grange for the duration of the storm, as my guest.” She walked away and stared at the fire. “Let’s see. You lost your seat riding toward Rosewood Park, and the horse ran off. That accounts for you being on foot.” She turned ideas over in her mind. “No, better…you werethrownby your horse when a fox startled it. That’s good.” She glanced at him. “Just to confirm, you were on horseback, yes?”
“Yes. And I will add that the horse was not terribly happy on country roads. I think he missed the hustle and bustle of his stables.”
Holly shrugged that off. “Right then, we have our story. You have been unconscious for some time, and when you recovered, you saw the smoke from the Nook, tapped on my door, and I immediately brought you to Forest Grange for assistance and refuge from the storm.”
“And how do I explain the loss of my bag?”
“Hmm.” She thought furiously. “Which road were you on to Rosewood?”
“Uhh…the one from London.”
