She hurried down to breakfast, hopeful Debnam had undergone a change of heart during the night, while not really believing he would. In the library last night, he’d been so determined that she leave, it seemed impossible to change his mind. She’d worn her prettiest negligee, and yet he’d sent her away. But not without a struggle, she had been pleased to see.
Heavens, how much she had changed within such a short space of time. A prim, going-on-spinster tempted to become an earl’s plaything? Nothing had the power to shock her anymore. Uppermost in her mind was Debnam’s personal torment. She needed to understand it. To help him before she went away.
The breakfast room was empty, but for the footman waiting to serve her.
“Has his lordship been down for breakfast, Charles?”
“Yes, and he has gone riding, madam.”
Debnam had not seen fit to invite her to join him. He’d left the house before she’d risen from her bed. Coward. She drew in a breath. So, he planned to avoid her until Robert arrived. She was not about to give in like a frightened titmouse. He didn’t really want her to go.
It became important to understand him. To learn why he had brought her here and now spurned the idea with such fierce determination. If nothing else, he owed her an explanation. She would endeavor to spend the rest of the time allotted to her in Debnam’s company as much as possible until Robert arrived. Debnam was going to find it difficult to avoid her.
After she nibbled a piece of toast and drank two cups of tea, she rose from the table. “Where on the estate might Lord Debnam ride this morning?” she asked Charles as he stood to attention beside the bain-maries filled with hot, tasty dishes she had no appetite for.
“His lordship is unlikely to have gone far afield this early, madam. He is alone. Perhaps he rode to the top of Green Hill, which offers a good view of the estate.”
“In which direction is the hill, Charles?”
“As the crow flies, it is due north. If you take the path past the stables, you’ll find it leads directly there.”
She smiled. “Thank you. You have been very helpful.”
“I hope I haven’t sent you on a wild goose chase.”
“I shall enjoy the ride, in any event. It is a lovely morning.”
“It is. But it promises to grow hot later on. Perhaps that is why his lordship went out so early.” The footman bowed.
“Then I must make haste.”
It wasn’t the weather which had driven Debnam outdoors. Was he avoiding her? They must talk. Last night, she’d been rocked by his decision and hadn’t known what to say.
Laura hurried upstairs to change into her habit, hoping to meet him, and rehearsed what she might say if she did. It was foolish to try to protect her reputation now. She had to make him see it.
Once the stable staff had assisted her to mount Honey, she followed the footman’s directions. She rode her mare along the bridle path toward the hilltop in the distance. As she and Honey climbed a slight incline, her bold plan began to seem unwise. Had she no pride? It would amuse Debnam to see her trailing after him. Especially now, when he’d made it clear he didn’t want her here.
Was it mere vanity that made it so difficult to accept his change of heart? Or was it this absurd notion, which strongly persisted, that he needed her? It wasn’t as though he’d reached out to her and sought comfort. Far from it. It was clear he preferred love affairs with no strings attached. But his sad past affected her soft heart. He’d been a boy when his parents had died; however, he was a grown man now. A rake, while not a heartless one. He feared for her reputation? It had been clear from the outset that her reputation, indeed her future, had already changed irrevocably.
Laura suddenly couldn’t face him. Not if she wished to keep a shred of her dignity intact. When another path presented itself through the trees, she directed Honey onto it. Did she really imagine she could make a difference to Debnam’s life in the few weeks they might spend together? It hardly mattered now. Robert would waste no time in collecting her and taking her home. He might even insist she return to London to find a husband. Especially as the money Debnam had paid him was safe.Safe?Or had Robert rushed straight to the gaming tables and lost a good deal of it? The thought made her stomach roil, and she groaned.
The path petered out onto a long stretch of open meadow bordered by large shrubs. “Come on, Honey, let’s stretch your legs.” Honey obeyed, breaking into a canter. As if eager to show what she could do, she responded when Laura urged her to gallop.
The soft, foliage-tinted breeze touched Laura’s face as they flew over the daisy-strewn meadow. A low fence loomed up, and the horse didn’t hesitate, sailing over. “Well done, Honey.” Laura patted the horse’s glossy neck.
She heard a horseman coming up behind her and turned, expecting to see Debnam. It wasn’t him. Lord Gaylord, with his insolent smile, rode up to her. “Well, Miss Peyton. You ride exceedingly well. You must have spent time in the country.”
“I grew up on my parents’ country estate,” Laura said, doubting her status as a gentleman’s daughter would work to ensure he kept his distance. But she was wrong.
He frowned. “A gentleman’s daughter should not be here without a chaperone. I believe your parents have not joined you.”
How had he heard of that? He must have questioned Debnam’s servants. “My brother has been held up. He will be here very soon.” She hated how hot her cheeks felt and his piercing gaze taking note of it.
“How careless of your brother. We can’t expect Debnam to care, but your family should. Does your brother not worry about your reputation?” He shook his head. “You should leave here, Miss Peyton. There is madness in Debnam’s family, and he is eccentric, to say the least.”
“I am aware of the earl’s history, but it doesn’t mean we should judge him by his father’s actions.”
“Do you know that his great-grandfather was mad too?” Sly amusement pulled at Gaylord’s thin lips.
