“If you wish to believe old stories embellished over the years.”
“No. It is quite true. The fourth earl abandoned his family and took to the roads. He was hanged.”
Laura shrugged with indifference, but she was interested. She planned to search for the fourth earl’s portrait in the gallery. “Are you always on Lord Debnam’s land, my lord?”
He chuckled. “You are on mine, my dear. As soon as you crossed that fence.”
“Then I beg your forgiveness. I shall return the way I came.”
Lord Gaylord angled his horse in front of hers. “Don’t rush off. I’d like to talk to you. I rarely have the chance to enjoy a pretty woman’s company. Why must Debnam have all the pleasure?”
Laura backed Honey away. “I am expected at the house, my lord. Please remove your horse.”
He tutted. “When you tire of Debnam, and you will—he’s a surly fellow—you might take tea with me.” He turned his horse’s head and rode away.
Laura’s heart pounded, her face so hot, she thought she’d explode. After several deep breaths, she calmed down enough to take Honey back over the fence.
Before she’d covered half the long stretch of meadow, Debnam appeared, galloping Bruno toward her. When he reached her, her heart sank. He looked angry.
“What were you doing on my neighbor’s land?”
“I wasn’t aware it was his land when I crossed that fence,” she said, feeling she’d had enough of both of them.
“Have you forgotten I told you not to roam about the estate on your own?” he asked, his voice strained. His shoulders looked stiff as he turned and rode back toward the trees.
Laura nudged Honey and followed. “I wouldn’t have if you’d invited me to join you,” she called. “But please don’t feel obliged if you have no wish for my company. I will leave here in a day or two, so it hardly matters.”
Debnam wheeled his horse around and rode back to her. “Don’t think I am eager to see you gone. I’m not, Laura.” His deep voice lowered as if he struggled to admit it. He looked miserable, and while it lifted her spirits to hear him say it, she was sorry she’d worried him. She was too independent. Didn’t Robert always say so? But there was so little time for them together. Laura didn’t want to waste it. She resisted the urge to question his reasons but no longer believed he didn’t want her. She’d seen the evidence of his desire for her in the library. And she wanted more. “I met Lord Gaylord.”
He tensed, his mouth a hard line. “Gaylord spoke to you?”
She quaked. “Yes. He pointed out that I was trespassing, but he wasn’t angry.”
“Did he act appropriately?”
Serious, gray eyes stared into hers, making it difficult to obfuscate. She was determined not to mention Gaylord’s cruel words about the earl’s family. “He invited me to tea.”
“Hewhat?” Debnam’s dark eyebrows lowered, his expression thunderous. “What the devil did he mean by that?”
“I don’t think he meant tea, Debnam. But what he did mean was clear.” She suddenly wanted to cry. “Nonetheless, I find myself in desperate need of that cup of tea.” She nudged Honey’s flank and galloped her over the grass toward the trees. Reaching the path, she heard Debnam riding behind her. Ignoring him, she rode back to the stables. He didn’t overtake her, but when they reached the stable courtyard, he dismounted and came to help her.
Laura felt unusually fragile as she leaned down to him. She wanted to draw strength from him, for them to be friends, at least, before she left. But somehow, even that seemed impossible.
His hands remained for a moment on her waist as he gazed down at her. “Laura, I hate that he said that to you. He’s a nasty fellow and I’ll ensure he doesn’t come onto my land again. But I told you, I cannot…”
“Marry,” she finished for him. “I don’t expect you to marry me, Debnam. I never did.”
“But that is the reason why you must leave.”
“If nothing has changed, why must I? I don’t understand.”
He ran a hand over his face as if to wipe away the pain. “Nothing must prevent you from making a good marriage.”
“Oh, Debnam,” she murmured. As if it were so easy. Did he really think her attractive looks would be enough for her to marry well? Without a decent dowry and a few years off thirty? She was no bargain, but she wanted to hear him say he desired her so she might go home with her dreams intact. “Then please tell me why you brought me here.”
“Because I wanted you. I still do.” He took off his hat and pushed his dark-brown hair back from his brow. “It was wrong of me. I must have been out of…” He shook his head. “I hope you’ll forgive me once you are safely home. And I intend to keep my distance until then, Laura. I am only a man and you’re too dashed seductive.”
She smiled a little at that, before reality struck. His words had a decided ring of finality.
