Perhaps it was the freedom of leavinghome and beginning a new chapter in her life. Perhaps Harry’samusing company. While veering from trepidation one minute, andwild enthusiasm the next, Erina remained glad of herdecision.
Harry slowed his pair of grays andthreaded his curricle through the gates of Ivywood Hall. “Youhaven’t changed your mind?” he asked. “Not too late to await me atan inn.”
“No.”
As he drove down the avenue, the grandmansion appeared, twice the size of her home which wasn’t small.Several gardeners slipped from view among the aged trees in theirleafy splendor.
She watched them as they passed. “TheButterstone’s gardeners must lop off an unwanted leaf as soon as itgrows.”
“Mm.Impressive.”
A footman in puce and gold livery cameout the front door followed by the butler. Behind them, Jackappeared.
Jack came forward as the footmanassisted her down. “Lady Erina. What a pleasant surprise. Am I tooffer my felicitations?”
“Good day to you, Jack. No,we are not wed. Erina and I are on our way to Holyhead,” Harryexplained. “She wishes to visit her family in Ireland.”
If Jack was surprised by thatpronouncement, he failed to show it.
Harry jerked his head toward themansion. “Not exactly what you had in mind when you set off on youradventure, is it?”
“Not precisely.” Jackgrinned and shook Harry’s hand. He was so handsome for a moment shecould only stare. The width of his shoulders his height and hiseyes, like sunlight on a deep lake.
“Thank you for making adetour to provide me with evening clothes,” he said. “I wasplanning to stay another few days, but the magistrate has beenunable to complete his investigation, so there’s nothing more forme to do here.” He smiled. “I’ll be extremely pleased to wear themthis evening, however.”
The footman unloaded their luggage,and a groom appeared from the stables to see to thehorses.
Jack introduced them to the butler wholed them through the two-story entry hall into a dazzling blue andgold reception room.
“Would you send word toLady Ashley that my guests have arrived, Billings?”
When they were seated, Jack turned toErina, startling her while she surreptitiously studied him. “So,you have family in Ireland?”
“Yes. Mr. Feather haskindly offered to drive me to Holyhead.”
Jack looked at Harry.“Remarkable.”
Harry shrugged. “Isn’t it?”
Jack rested his big hands on hisknees. “I must say I’m intrigued to learn why a judicious fellowlike Harry has been persuaded to take you, Erina.”
She stiffened, not liking his tone.“Because he did not wish me to go alone.”
Jack turned to Harry, who was busysmoothing his cravat.
“Remarkable,” Jack saidagain. “Not an elopement? You travel in the wrong direction forGretna Green.”
“I can understand yoursurprise,” Harry said. “I wonder at it myself.”
“But I suspect Erina couldbe quite persuasive,” Jack said with a faint grin.
“Precisely,” Harrysaid.
Erina frowned. “Please do not speak asif I am not in the room. My father and Harry’s were about toannounce our engagement, but neither of us wished to marry… so, Idecided to remove myself from London before it could beannounced.”
Jack’s dark eyebrows peaked. “You twodon’t wish to marry?”
She reddened. “We both intend to marryfor love.”
