“Thank goodness, it’s rather brisk for a picnic,” Lord H announced. “Who picnics on December twenty-ninth?”
Lord I rolled his eyes. “It’s hardly cold. In fact, I’m enjoying the mild temperatures along the coast and I’d hardly call the weather brisk.” He turned on his heel and marched away.
Caleb shook his head and returned outside.
“Wait, Mr. Copeland,” Lord K called, following him onto the path leading to the back of the manor.
Caleb stopped and turned.
“You seem to know the estate well,” he said.
“No more than you,” Caleb answered. He’d seen Lord K standing at the cliffs early this morning, spyglass in hand. The sun was barely up, and he’d wondered what the gentleman was about. Caleb had a reason to rise early, Lord K did not.
“I assumed you were coming to know the estate as you’ve not spent any time in our company.”
“I accompanied my aunts, I’m not here to court Lady Lucinda,” Caleb reminded him.
“What do you know of smuggling in the area?”
“Nothing.” Caleb frowned. “Is that why you stood at the cliffs this morning? Searching for smugglers?”
“I was simply curious, seeing a boat near the shore.”
“Most would assume that it was a fisherman.”
“Yes, of course.” He cleared his throat. “I dabble in writing, if you must know, and my imagination saw smugglers.” His laugh was not convincing. “Well, good day, Mr. Copeland.”
Six
Lucinda duckedbehind the corner when she saw Mr. Copeland speaking with Lord K because she didn’t want to encounter any of the leaping lords.
Ever since Copeland had addressed them as such, she’d not been able to think of them in any other manner.
Their voices drifted to her and Lucinda stiffened when she heard “smuggling”. A boat had come in before dawn and it had taken three times as long to unload given most of the servants and her family were gone. But why was Lord K out so early to have seen it and asking questions?
“Do you often hide and eavesdrop on conversations?”
She nearly jumped at Mr. Copeland’s voice. “If you must know, I was hiding from Lord K. I’ve little patience for any of them at the moment.”
He nodded as if he understood. “I thought you retreated above stairs.”
“Only so that I could take the servant stairs to leave the manor,” she admitted.
“Were you set to run away?” Humor twinkled in his green eyes. “I’m certain I’d be tempted.”
“The idea is very tempting,” she admitted.
“I’d be happy to ready your horse.”
It was a shame that Mr. Copeland wasn’t here to court her because he was the only male guest at Forester Hall that she enjoyed spending time with. Further, he was unquestionably the most handsome.
“I’m not certain I will go so far as to leave. But a pleasant stroll would be nice.”
“Your wish is my command.” He offered his arm to her.
Lady Lucinda grinned and slipped her gloved hand into the crook of his arm. “What have you been doing with yourself, Mr. Copeland? We didn’t see you at supper, nor this morning, until you came to my rescue.”
“I hope I’ve been of assistance.”
