Nate forced a smile. Was there no end to this woman’s scheming?
“A race sounds like a good idea,” Bridget said. “We will row to that rock at the edge of the lake, and whoever returns first will be the winner.”
“Very well,” Nate agreed. “Miss De Lacey and I will stay ashore to monitor the race.” He sneaked a look at Bridget, hoping she’d agree, but she was too busy watching Bijou through her spyglass as the terrier raced up and down the shoreline.
“Can she not monitor it on her own?” Adelia asked. “There won’t be enough participants.”
“Let’s consider that,” Nate said. “You two can pair up with Lord Dodsworth and Mr. Jefferson respectively.” He glanced at the sisters, bracing himself for some objection from Adelia, but their faces only brightened at his suggestion. It seemed that it didn’t matter to them who they were paired with as long as it was to eligible bachelors.
“What about me?” Harley said. “My wife is still feeling ratherpoorly and stayed behind, so perhaps I can invite one of the servants to row with me.” He smiled at Abigail, who stood with Sarah by the picnic baskets.
“You will take your aunt, and you will win!” Lady Darby said. And the smile on Harley’s face faded.
“ThenIshall take Abigail,” Frederick said, completely ignoring the warning Nate had given him the night before.
Nate frowned. “Where’s Madam Bouffant? Isn’t she with you?”
“No, I haven’t seen her since breakfast.”
“And Lord Eamont seems to be missing too.” Nate scanned the lakeshore. “It looks like you’ll be taking Lady Eamont, Frederick.” He smirked at his friend, but Frederick was no longer looking at him. He was staring at something behind Nate.
Nate was about to turn around when a familiar voice sounded behind him, making him freeze.
“Hello, everyone! Am I in time for the boat race?” He knew that voice. Even though it had been years since he’d heard it, he’d know it anywhere. But, no, it couldn’t be her. He had to be imagining things.
*
She looked asshe had the last time he’d seen her—luxuriant, dark curls framing her heart-shaped face, and large dark eyes sheltered under long lashes. But it was her mouth he’d longed for the most—plump, red, and sweet like a ripe berry.
Enough!Nate scolded himself.That mouth may have tasted sweet once upon a time, but now the memory of it is nothing but bitter. What is she doing here? And why didn’t I see her name on the guest list?He turned to Bridget and frowned his question, but she seemed equally surprised to see their new guest.
“Lady Luxton.” Frederick broke the awkward silence. “What a pleasant surprise it is to see you here. What brings you to the LakeDistrict?”
“Spontaneity! I heard such wonderful chatter about Mr. Squires’s new inn that I had to come see it for myself.”
I’ll wager you did.
“I hope you don’t mind my impulsive visit to your lovely home, Nate. It’s always wonderful to see old friends, is it not?”
He bristled at the use of her term “friend” and at her calling him by his Christian name. She’d lost both those privileges when she’d left him standing at the altar. “It’s an inn. It’s meant for guests,” he said bluntly.
“Of course, it is. But I can’t tell you my shock and delight when I heard you’d moved to an estate in Windermere. Why, it’s less than a full day’s carriage ride from our castle in Lochmaben.” She laughed. “Imagine that. We are practically neighbors.”
Good Lord, she was right. He hadn’t realized how close his new living arrangement put him to his once-betrothed.
“Have you come on your own, Lady Luxton?” Frederick inquired.
“I’ve come with my husband. He’s on his way down to the lake now.”
Of course. Her husband—the Earl of Luxton—the man she’d chosen over him.Why choose the spare when you can have an heir?
“Lady Luxton.” Bridget strode past Nate and introduced herself. “I am Bridget De Lacey, Mr. Squires’s hostess. You’ll need to get settled in your chambers, I presume.”
“Yes, we will need three. One for myself, and my husband requires an adjacent room to his for his manservant.”
Just then, a manservant, wheeling a frail man in a wooden chair, started down the hill toward them. Everyone watched as they made their way to the lake until the chair came to rest next to Lady Luxton.
“May I introduce my husband, Lord Luxton?”
