“You love Tibby. You allow him to sleep on your desk while you work.”
“I have grown fond of the animal,” he said with a soft smile.
She picked up her bonnet. “I’ll tell Mr. Wagstaff the good news. Oh, and I’m riding after luncheon.”
Robert frowned. “The devil you are. With Debnam, I suppose.”
“He wishes to show me a little of the estate.”
“I can’t fathom the earl. He seems to like you. I’ve noticed the way he looks at you. But it is passing strange that he now wants to send you home.” Robert frowned, and she sensed he wanted to order her to take a groom along with them, as he once would have. But those days were gone. He must have been curious about what had occurred between her and Debnam.
“You know, Debnam has never touched me inappropriately,” she said, running her bonnet ribbons through her fingers. Not quite true, but it would do.
Robert drew in a sharp breath. “Naturally, I’m pleased to hear that. But his actions are hardly those of a rational being, are they?”
She loathed his suggestion that Debnam might not have been normal, but then, he did not know the circumstances. “It hardly matters now, does it? After tomorrow, I shan’t see him again.”
Laura left the room, relieved her voice hadn’t given away her despair. But she had won a minor battle with Robert. She only hoped Wagstaff would prove a sound investment. Her instincts told her he would. She was good at summing up people she met. It was only Debnam who had fooled her. But she suspected he’d had a lot of practice at hiding his true self from society.
Mr. Wagstaff stood at the estate gates, his hat in his hand. Expressing his delight at the offer, he promised to be at Beechley Park at first light. She wondered where he would spend the night and hoped he didn’t have to trudge for miles carrying his luggage. But she didn’t ask, unable to offer anything more for the fear that Robert would change his mind.
Laura ate luncheon with Robert in the dining room to keep him company and ensure he said nothing untoward to Debnam. But they dined alone when Debnam sent word he could not join them. After the meal, she ran up and changed into her habit. Penny assisted her with her boots. “I am that sorry you’re leaving tomorrow, milady,” Penny said, giving a last-minute polish to the footwear with her sleeve. “I wish I could still be your lady’s maid. You’ve been kind to me.”
“I wish you could too, Penny, but unfortunately, it’s not possible.” To suggest to Robert that they take the maid along would be the last feather to break the camel’s back.
Laura came downstairs to find Debnam waiting in the hall, hat and crop in his gloved hands. How the clothes suited him. Her gaze wandered from his broad shoulders to his narrow hips and powerful thighs. She glanced quickly away from the shape of his body in the snug-fitting breeches.
As they left the porch and walked to the stables, she smiled at him. “Where are you taking me?”
His answer was swift. “Where I will have you to myself.”
The desire and purpose in his eyes made Laura’s breath catch.
At the stables, she patted Honey. The horse seemed to recognize her and nudged her with her nose. If only she could save the mare from Tattersalls auction and an uncertain future.
On the mounting block, Laura accepted Debnam’s hand. She placed her foot in the stirrup and swung up onto the saddle. Tucking her leg around the pommel, she arranged her skirts. “I hope Honey’s new owner will be gentle with her,” she said as she took up the reins.
Mounted on Bruno, he smiled. “You have a soft heart, Laura. I don’t wish to breed with her. If I kept her, she would languish in the paddock. Would that be kind?”
She sighed. “No, I suppose not.”
Honey followed Bruno along a bridle path, through the woods. They emerged where a few willows leaned gracefully over the water. Beyond the river were distant, green hills, and sheep in the meadow. When he helped her down, his large hands and familiar manly scent reminded her of how big and powerful a man he was. And yet he could be gentle. She thought of the first time he had kissed her. It seemed longer than a few days ago.
When he’d tied up the horses, Debnam turned back to her. “I wanted us to have time alone before you go.”
“And I.” How much should she tell him? She had decided and now almost lost her courage. Would he welcome what she had discovered about his parents? With so little time, was there nothing she could say to alter his perception of himself? She knew him to be a rational man. He would require evidence, not supposition. And apparently, no one had an answer for what had caused his father to kill his mother and then turn the gun on himself.
Debnam’s eyes were the color of clouds before a rain burst. “I want you to know how much your company has meant to me these few precious days.”
“I shall never forget my time here with you.” Laura stroked a finger along his jaw. “Debnam, I know about your parents. A servant told me what happened.” Tears filled her eyes, and she blinked them away. “Such a dreadful tragedy.”
His eyebrows lowered. “I saw no sense in telling you, Laura. It is in the past.”
“But the past can have a way of informing the present and the future. It must not ruin your life. You are an honorable man.”
“My father was a man of integrity and high moral character.” A muscle jumped in his jaw.
“Will you tell me more about it?”
