Dominic retired tothe small salon after dinner with George and Williams for a game of faro. As he picked up his hand, George chuckled. “I take back everything I said about the accommodation, Dom. My every comfort was seen to, and that dinner was superb. My compliments to the chef. Where did you find him?”
“Williams was fortunate to nab him between positions.” Dominic raised his eyebrows at his estate manager, who held his tongue.
George raised his glass for a refill from Jack, who looked a good deal better as he hovered with the wine decanter.
“And your housekeeper, Dom, you lucky fellow! What a lovely woman. Not sure how you keep your hands off her.” George grinned at Dominic’s obvious discomfiture. “But maybe you don’t.”
Williams ducked his head over his cards.
Dominic clenched his jaw. “Miss Jenner is an excellent housekeeper.”
“I’m aware of it. She presented herself to me and inquired if there was anything I wished.” George laughed. “It was all I could do not to tell her.”
“I’m glad you restrained yourself,” Dominic said stiffly.
“Don’t worry, Dom. I shouldn’t want to be the one to send her packing.” He put down a card. “Is your valet here?”
“No. I’ll send for him soon.”
“Poor old Cushing. Lounging about in London at your expense. Why don’t you just let him go?”
“Cushing’s a loyal servant. He’s been with me for a long time. And invaluable when I’m in town.” Dominic threw down a card.
George glanced at it. “Dash it all! I’d best concentrate. Penny-ante stakes, but I can’t afford to lose my touch.”
When Dominic prepared for bed, he admitted to himself he’d found George’s references to Miss Jenner distasteful. He feared he had lost his sense of humor.
What he’d begun to feel for Olivia unsettled him. In the past, friendship and respect seldom entered his decision to bed a woman—and never love. It was their mutual desire. While he valued Olivia’s good opinion of him, it perplexed him that his body reacted with pure lust whenever she was near.
As George had expressed some eagerness at dinner to see the estate, they left the house after breakfast. The sweet summer scents floated on the breeze as they walked to the stables. A fine day by the look of it, with a scattering of white clouds dotted about the gray-blue sky. “Too far from London, but I have to agree it’s a pretty place,” George remarked. “Dashed if I do.”
Onyx cavorted in the paddock, the small, gray-and-white goat following him sedately. When Fellows emerged from the stable interior, Dominic introduced George and asked for a horse to be saddled for him.
Fellows scratched his chin. “Which mount, my lord? Ransom? Tarian is a handful.”
George tapped his crop in his hands. “Then I’ll ride Tarian.” He turned to view Onyx. “Why is there a goat in the paddock with your stallion?”
“The goat is the stallion’s new companion,” Fellows explained. “We thought the horse lonely and introduced the goat. Works like a charm.”
George shook his head and laughed. “Well, now I’ve seen it all. You’re becoming quite the country gentleman.”
Dominic called Onyx to him. The horse trotted over to the rail, and he patted his head. Onyx gently blew through his nostrils. “This is Onyx.”
George reached over to pat Onyx’s withers. “Athletic fellow, isn’t he?”
Onyx snorted and backed away.
Dominic laughed. “He’s sometimes standoffish.”
They left the stables. Entering the bridle path, they rode through woods of oak, birch, and sycamore. He could find signs of the gamekeeper’s care everywhere, with areas of bracken and rhododendron cleared and saplings planted.
After an inspection of the home farm and the dairy, they continued to Graves’s farm. As Dominic expected of such an experienced rider, George handled Tarian firmly, letting the horse know who was master.
The Redcliffe Hall trap stood outside Graves’s farmhouse, the carthorse pulling at the grass. Apparently, Miss Jenner had driven herself, for there was no sign of his footman.
“Please forgive me if I don’t curtsy, my lord,” Mrs. Graves smiled shyly at the door. “I believe I would topple over. Graves is in the big south field. But please come inside. Miss Jenner is here.” Big with child and walking slowly, she led them into the small parlor, sweet biscuits fresh from the oven scenting the air.
Olivia smiled up at them. “Good morning, my lord, Mr. Yardley.” She put the book she held down beside the tomes piled on a side table.
