Garrett wished the hatred he felt for his father could have died along with the man himself. Anger, he was finding, could be exhausting.
As Rumble, his longtime steed, climbed the last rise, the large Edwardian manor situated in a protected valley beckoned. For several miles, he’d been passing through well-tended fields separated by stone fences and well-groomed hedges. Now, though, the patchwork of tidy holdings gave wayto a landscaped park, which provided the perfect setting for Ravensdale’s stately mansion. The whitewashed limestone of the exterior created a pleasant contrast for the greenery surrounding it. Vines of ivy grew over the façade of the mansion, which was surrounded by copses of trees and lush lawns. The woodlands appeared untamed at first, but if examined carefully one realized this was not the case, for the thick forest was artfully trimmed to allow access to the large lake it encircled. Despite the estate’s size, it was pretty and homey. In comparison to Maple Hall, Raven’s Park was indeed a little slice of heaven.
Following the drive leading to the entrance, Garrett braced himself despite Stone’s reassurances. Would they turn him away? Would Lady Ravensdale rescind her son’s invitation? As quickly as the thought arose, it faded when Stone stepped out of the mansion and ambled down the marble steps to the drive. A groomsman appeared as Garrett brought Rumble to a halt and dismounted. Handing over the reins, Garrett patted his horse on his hindquarters somewhat reluctantly. He normally took responsibility for the care of his own mount, but knowing the Spencer men as he did, Garrett was confident the lad would give Rumble a thorough rubdown and a clean stall. The Earl of Ravensdale would not employ lazy or inept stable hands.
“You’ve made good time. Decided to travel ahead of the baggage coach?” Stone grasped Garrett’s hand and patted his shoulder in a friendly greeting. His friend’s eyes sparkled with an honest and warm welcome.
It had been a long time since he’d met with welcome anywhere.
“I did.” Garrett pondered the grand house. “You are certain my presence will not cause discord?” The effects of disgrace could be contagious. Scandal was infectious, and no one was immune. “I do not wish to cause?—”
Before Garrett could complete his sentence, Stone was shaking his head. “All is fine, Castleton…er, Hawthorne now, I guess.”
Garrett grimaced. “Horrid name to go by.”
“Time will change that.” Stone sounded matter-of-fact as he led him toward the door. “Make it yours. That’s what my father said he did when he inherited.” He led Garrett inside as the butler held the door wide for them. “I imagine you’d like to wash up. I’ll show you to your chamber, and then you can join me downstairs for a late nuncheon. My mother will have something appetizing set out in the dining room.”
“Lodging in the main house isn’t necessary. I’m more than happy to bunk in the bachelors’ quarters.” Garrett hoped to avoid the family as much as possible. In fact, he’d counted on it. And as for Lady Natalie, he intended to evade her completely.
“Well, old chap, there’s something you never learned about mothers. They get these crazy ideas about looking to your well-being. Like it or not, mine believes you need cossetting and has insisted you be welcomed into the fold.” They climbed two flights of stairs before Stone turned left along a richly carpeted corridor. Garrett followed reluctantly. “Besides, the bachelor cottage is in need of repair. Trust me, this will surpass the comfort of those lodgings by far.” He opened the door to a well-kept room with masculine décor.
“With Joseph marrying a few weeks ago, his room is not in use. Mother’s had it readied specifically for you. She’d have my hide if I put you anywhere else.” Glancing at his fob watch, Stone backed out of the room. “I’ll leave you for now. Ring if you need anything and come down when you’re ready. Nuncheon is an extended casual affair, so no need to rush.”
Garrett tossed his saddlebag on the bed and turned to Stone. “None of this is necessary, you know. I’ve no need for any of this.”
Stone put out his hands as though to stop him from sayinganything further. Staring down at the carpet, he took a moment to think before looking back up at Garrett. “I want you to know therearepeople who can separate you from your father. It will take time, but all will be well. Allow matters to rest.”
Appreciating the sentiments, but doubting Stone’s optimism, Garrett thanked his loyal friend with a nod. “I’ll see you downstairs, then. Is your fishing hole well stocked? Been looking forward to that all week.”
Stone nodded solemnly. “Downstairs, then.”
Garrett cleanedup using the cold water by the wash basin, took a swig of the whiskey he carried with him, and then decided he might as well begin his “holiday.” If Lady Ravensdale found it necessary to house him in Joseph’s chamber, there must be other guests. Good Lord, the woman was probably hosting some sort of house party. Most assuredly, Stone would not have mentioned it. Had he done so, Garrett would have refused the invitation outright.
Wonderful.
As he entered the corridor, an adjacent door opened as well.
Of course. Who else would it be?
Although, admittedly, he’d acted rudely toward her in the park, her outright disgust at his offered escort festered. He’d dealt with blatant disdain from many a spoiled debutante and not cared one fig, but the scorn he’d seen in Lady Natalie Spencer’s eyes that day still rankled. And feeling rankled drew the worst out of him.
Unfortunately, now a guest in her parents’ home, Garrett would show very poor taste indeed to act upon his feelings.
Which, where Lady Natalie was concerned, were mixed.
Damned if she didn’t look ravishing and regal in a pale-yellow dress. Just the right amount of color to enhance her creamy skin and golden hair. Just the right amount of lace to disguise her frosty superiority. As she heard his door close and turned to see who had joined her in the corridor, Garrett braced himself. Would she acknowledge him?
This time she did not look away. This time her gaze held his.
This timeshe smiled.
Surely hell had frozen over.
“My lord, welcome to Raven’s Park.” Her voice rang softly in the corridor. A slight blush rose on her cheeks before she dropped into a delicate curtsey. Not only was he surprised by her smile, but an enormous tug of unwanted attraction ambushed him.
Garrett bowed in return. He’d not made it a practice to be charming to society chits. He was in unfamiliar territory.
“My lady.” His words were followed by an awkward pause. Her greeting had startled him. He’d expected disdain or rudeness or, at the very least, aloofness. More than a little suspicious, he nonetheless offered his arm. “May I escort you downstairs to the dining room? I presume that is your destination?” He did not smile in return. Would she run from him again?
