12
James decided that trays be taken to everyone. Annabel and Colette were in disgrace, his sister and her family needed to rest and he thought that being alone with Sofia would be tempting fate – at least on his part.
As his man of business had failed to return he assumed that the missing duo had agreed to come. If they hadn't then Michael would have been back with this news. Laycock was only a few miles from Bath but it was on the other side of the city. Therefore, anyone going there had either to go through the city, which was slow and tedious in a carriage and almost as bad mounted or cross the river and go around it. This was a more pleasant journey but even longer.
Trays were brought to the study for himself and Smithers. 'How are you progressing with the search for a butler, a governess and tutor for the children and the two personal maids for my wards?'
'The agency has the details and is confident that they'll be able to fill all of the positions by the end of the week. It's fortuitous, my lord, that Lady Charlotte's cook chose to accompany her. Our cook, Mrs Turnbull, has agreed to take on the role of housekeeper here.'
'And the fact that without having to lift a finger we have a full complement of footmen is another stroke of good fortune. The house already feels more settled, don't you think?'
'I do, my lord. However, Mrs Turnbull decided to only keep those that worked for her in the kitchen and two other maids. The rest she's dismissed. They were all paid up to date but none of them received a reference.'
'Do we need to contact the agency to replace those that are missing? My sister will keep her own girls, one of the men she brought with her is now valet to her boys.'
'Mrs Turnball is confident that there are girls already living in the vicinity that will be only too happy to work here.'
It made sense to take on daughters of families already loyal to him.
They sank a bottle of decent claret between them whilst discussing the progress of the war in France, the fact that there'd been talk of disaffected soldiers lurking in his woods and then his secretary retired as did he.
James headed for the stable yard for his morning ride not expecting to find Sofia there before him. He couldn't see her but could hear her talking to Lucifer. She was obviously tacking him up herself, which was quite unnecessary, but he was quite certain the stable boys and grooms on duty would have been only too happy to agree.
The stallion was notorious for stamping on anyone who went into his box or biting them instead. He'd once had to rescue an unfortunate lad who'd been dangling in midair having been hoisted up whilst still holding onto Lucifer's reins.
Rufus was waiting for him and he fondled the huge chestnut's silky ears. He was about to lead him out of the yard to the mounting block when he heard Sofia emerge.
'God's teeth! I'm surprised Lucifer allowed you in his box dressed in that monstrosity,' he said before he could stop himself.
'Don't you like it? I thought scarlet and copious amount of gold braid was all the rage right now.' She smiled sweetly at him. 'Lucifer approves, don't you, darling?'
'You could appear dressed in an old sack and he'd still be pleased to see you.' He might have added that he felt the same. Even in quite the most hideous habit he'd ever seen she was still startlingly beautiful.
She followed him out of the yard. He looped the reins over his arm and then smiled at her. 'Allow me to assist you into the saddle. Are you quite sure my stallion will behave with you riding side saddle?'
'I've explained it to him and he's agreed that as I can't ride him any other way he must accept the new contraption.'
She turned her back, bent her leg and he tossed her up. Lucifer looked round his ears flicking back and forth but not upset by this unusual circumstance. When he went to assist her with her stirrup iron, she shook her head and waved him off. By the time he was on Rufus, she was ready to leave.
'We'll come back through the jumps, but I need to see how he goes under a side-saddle before risking that route,' James said.
'He does feel a little excitable this time, so I agree. No swimming today, I hope. I don't wish to ruin my lovely new habit.'
'Almost worth pushing you in to make sure I never see it again. What possessed you to take it?'
'It fits, it was available, and I love to ride. It will be at least two sennights before my new one will be ready.'
He was about to nod when she continued.
'And it's so awful I wanted to see your reaction when I appeared in it. You do realise that you'll be visible for miles riding alongside me wearing such a colourful outfit.'
'We'll not be going anywhere we can be seen by anyone but my staff.'
Her head came up and she flashed him a challenge. Then before he could prevent it, she urged the stallion into a canter and they took off down the drive.
Rufus followed and they were neck and neck, galloping recklessly, as the gate approached. She sat back, spoke to Lucifer and he instantly slowed his pace demonstrating that she was in command of his wild stallion in a way that he rarely was.
She wasn't close enough to snatch her reins and he'd no option but to trot behind her out into the thoroughfare that ran alongside his estate. This lane led towards Bath – it was inevitable that they'd eventually be seen by others if they continued.
