“You know that caretaker cottage a few miles down the road on the property?”
Meg froze at the mention of the caretaker cottage. That was probably why Grimble was shifting so furiously now. Everyone knew what had transpired there between her and Simon. Well, they thought they knew, anyway.
“Yes, I think you know I know the spot,” Meg managed to croak out and Grimble blushed slightly. “What is it?”
“Well, Toby was going out to market earlier today and happened to take the long path through the estate. He noticed that some damage had been done to the cottage, and he feared some items inside might be missing.”
Meg folded her arms. “Grimble, I appreciate the importance of the issue, but why are you addressing this to me? It seems like something the estate staff could handle quite well on their own. Have them begin to repair the damage and take an inventory. Then write to Abernathe to let him know of the situation.”
Grimble cleared his throat. “Yes. Of course. I shall do that, but you see, you were the last person to be inside the cottage, Your Grace. And since there may be items missing, we thought it would be best ifyoucould go and make some kind of list of anything you notice amiss.”
Meg shook her head. “I-I may have been there recently, but I couldn’t—”
She stopped herself. It was amazing how physical her reaction to this situation was. The very idea of going to the caretaker cottage again made anxious tingles run through her body. To go back there, to face that place…
Grimble was staring at her. “I do not want to cause you discomfort, Your Grace, of course. I only thought you might be able to help.”
Meg sighed. “No, you aren’t…it—it isn’t your fault, Grimble. And you are right, as the last person on the estate who was at the cottage, I might be the best judge of what is to be found there.” She stared off through the garden for a moment, trying to calm herself as she considered her options. “I could use a ride anyway. I’ll go past the cottage and have a look.”
Grimble almost sagged with relief. “Thank you, Your Grace. That would be most appreciated.”
She shook her head. “I’ll go change. Will you ask that Star be saddled for me?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Grimble said, falling into step beside her. “And I’ll have a picnic lunch prepared for you, as well.”
Meg did her best not to let out a deep sigh. Her broken heart must be very obvious, indeed, to have Grimble so forcefully pushing her to make half a day of her excursion. But perhaps he was right that it would do her some good to get away. She’d look in on the cottage, make her observations and then take a long ride.
“Very good,” she said as they entered the house and she headed for the stairs. “I’ll be down shortly.”
She moved to her chamber and rang for Fran to help her into her habit. It had been a long time since she rode and Star was her favorite mount, but despite all that, she didn’t look forward to it. Going back to the caretaker cottage felt like returning to a scene of a crime. And right now she wasn’t ready to face that, or all the feelings that still boiled inside of her that would likely never be resolved.
Simon saw the rider coming long before she arrived. He caught his breath and lifted his spyglass to his eye as he leaned against the window. Meg wore a dark blue riding habit and a jaunty hat, but when he caught a glimpse of her face, his heart sank. She looked utterly miserable.
And it was going to take a lion’s share of work to fix that.
He put the glass away and looked around. He had been in Abernathe for two days. Two days of hard work had put the caretaker cottage into good shape, ready for Meg and all his plans for her.
Ifshe would stay, that was. If he had not done so much damage that she would turn away from any offer he made, not trusting him.
In the past, such a possibility would have perhaps put him off. But not today. Not with Meg. With Meg, he had to fight. It was what she needed, what she deserved. And perhaps for the first time in his life, it was what he wanted to do.
He wanted to earn her.
He heard her pulling up to the cottage. She said soft words to her mare. It was time.
He drew in a long breath, and walked to the door and outside to greet her.
She was staring up at the cottage but when he exited the house, that expression changed. For a brief moment he saw pure joy when she looked at him, love, desire, pleasure. But then those were wiped away. Pain slashed across her face and she brought a wall down between them that he knew he was entirely responsible for.
But he’d seen the joy. He knew there was a chance for them.
“Simon,” she breathed, taking a long step back. “I—what are you—how—?”
He moved toward her a step, careful not to crowed her but wanting,needing, to be closer. “I apologize for the subterfuge.”
Her lips parted and she stared at the cottage again. “There wasneverany damage to the house, was there? Nothing missing?”
He shook his head. “No. I’ve been here for some time, arranging things, readying them. James wrote ahead to Grimble to encourage him to act as I asked him to. So don’t blame him for—”
