“I won’t be needing him. I learned to drive it myself today. Brentworth taught me.” She took her leave, but stopped at the door. “Speaking of the duke, there is no need to bother him with a report on my visiting you, Mr. Roberts.”
“I understand, Your Grace. And I have received instructions to hire gardeners to fight that wilderness out there. I thought you’d like to know.”
She took her list to her chamber, to do some calculations. The news about the garden pleased her. She supposed she should be content that the duke was taking an interest in this house at least, even if she would never be the great passion in his life. That had not been part of their arrangement, had it?
* * *
Davina woke with the dawn, dressed and went below for breakfast. None had been prepared yet, so she wandered to the kitchen and obtained some bread and cheese from the sleepy cook. Then she put on her pelisse and her bonnet and went in search of a groom.
She did not hide what she was doing from Brentworth. She merely neglected to tell him about it. To his mind, the problem regarding their conflicting claims on the property had been solved by saying those vows. He would find it unnecessary, perhaps even annoying to hear she planned to ride all over the countryside, seeking more proof when she no longer needed it.
But she did need it. He thought this was about her wanting to enrich herself. While no one would mind having a birthright of many acres of land, she also wanted to know if her family had lived here and belonged here. She wanted to know if those old portraits were her ancestors. She wanted to trace her father’s lineage, no matter where it took her. She ached to know who her people were.
She climbed into the phaeton when the groom brought it out. He handed over the reins. “You said you know how to manage this? It is not your typical carriage.”
“His Grace taught me and said I had become quite good at it. I will not go fast.”
He shook his head, then shrugged.
She got the horse going and jostled along. The carriage seemed very light without Brentworth beside her. She took it to a slow trot and followed the drive to the lane. When they rounded the corner of the house, a dark figure waited for her, hands on hips. She just barely managed not to trample him.
“That is a bad place to stand,” she scolded. “I did not see you until I was upon you.”
“It is an excellent position to grab the horse’s bridle.” His hand closed on it as he spoke. “Where is Rufus?”
“I did not need him. Nor do I need you. I am not going to tend to anyone sick.”
His lids lowered. “Then where are you going?”
“For a ride. To try my new skill with reins and whip on the lane and road.”
He strode around the horse and got in beside her. “I will go too, in case you find you are not expert enough to get home. Do not under any circumstances use the whip. The horse will bolt, and you have no experience in controlling him then.”
He crossed his arms again. His expression fell into one of magnanimous tolerance. Her lord and master would indulge her but was not pleased.
What a bother he was. Even her father had not been this intrusive, and since his death, no one at all had told her what to do.
“Don’t you intend to go for that ride?” he asked when they had not moved for several minutes.
“I am not sure I want to anymore.” She let the reins go slack. “Did Roberts tell you? He depends on you for his situation, so if he did, I can’t blame him too much.”
“Tell me what? Are you and he plotting together? Only about gardens, I trust. If he has shown any other interest, that would be unfortunate. He is one of the men I would prefer not to kill.”
She laughed at that. He didn’t.
She handed him the reins to hold and dug into her reticule. “This is a list of retainers of this house who are now pensioned. This man at the top is the oldest. I intend to speak with him.”
She saw his response in his eyes.There is no need. The question has been resolved. Made moot. Been dealt with.
“Where does he live?” he said instead.
“Harrow Ridge.”
He sighed. He climbed down and came around to her side. “Move over. That is at least seven miles from here. I will get us there faster than I dare let you do it. You can practice on the way back if there is time.”
He moved the horse to a fast trot.
“You were joking, of course, about killing a man who showed an inappropriate interest in me.”
