“Then there must be a good reason why the estate was purchased.” Lyndsey hung up another garment. “After all, it is a fine piece of land, and the manor is quite impressive.”
“And if fortune is one our side,” Prissy said in a hurry, “you’ll be the mistress of Hanover Hall.”
Lyndsey belted out a laugh. As much as she dreamed of one day marrying into such a prominent family, when she pictured herself on her wedding day, it wasn’t Collin who stood next to her. Unfortunately, the man had darker hair...
“Lyn? Did the earl not tell Father that his brother was away on business?”
“Yes, why do you ask?”
“Because I talked to people who overheard the earl’s aunt calling for Lord William Dorsey during the evening.”
Lyndsey picked up another wet garment from the basket. “Indeed? Why would the woman look for him when he wasn’t even at the ball?”
“I thought you would know since you’d spoken with her last night.”
Lyndsey shook her head. “The woman didn’t mention Lord William to me at all.”
Prissy giggled behind her hand. “Another rumor I’d heard was that his aunt mentioned seeing Lord William sneaking out of the ball with a woman on his arm.”
In a flash, Lyndsey recalled how Adrian had taken her by the hand and pulled her into the kitchen, and then again, into the pantry. Later, Aunt Beatrice had entered the kitchen, calling for Lord William.
Adrian’s voice entered her head.Aunt Beatrice is slowly losing her mind. I don’t believe she was really searching for Lord William. I believe she was looking for me. She saw me leaving the party and she tried to get my attention.”
Lyndsey hitched a breath. Was it a coincidence that the aunt had seen Lord William leaving, and yet Adrian had been the one leaving the party... and with a woman?
Seconds later, Lyndsey chuckled lightly and shook her head. What was she thinking? Adrian definitely wasnotLord William.
She breathed easier. It was difficult not to listen to gossip. “The poor woman must be delusional.”
“Yes, that’s what I thought, as well.”
As Lyndsey proceeded to hang the garments, she thought about Adrian again. He’d tried his hardest to make her aware that he wouldn’t allow fortune-hunting women to catch his cousin. And then, he whisked her off to the kitchen to kiss her passionately. Now she wondered if that was Adrian’s way of keeping her from the earl.
Her heart sank. Adrian Dorsey was such a scoundrel! He’d kissed her because that’s what men like Adrian did when they found themselves alone with a woman. And, he did it so that his cousin would never court her.
Suddenly, the happy feeling that had consumed her all morning, disappeared. Emptiness slowly filled her, along with guilt. How could she have enjoyed being in his arms and kissing him as if they were the only two people at the party? He’d been very tender and sweet, but full of passion. Now she knew it was all an act.
A sharp pain gripped her heart as though a knife had plunged into her chest, which made it difficult to breathe. How had she been so gullible... and weak?
Closing her eyes, she rubbed her forehead. Most of her chores were finished earlier this morning, and now she felt like lying down for the rest of the day, or for the next month. Right now, it didn’t matter how long it was, as long as she didn’t have to look at anyone. Besides, she’d not gotten much sleep last night and now her body was demanding she get some rest.
“Lyn? What’s wrong?” Her sister’s hand touched Lyndsey’s arm. “Your face is so pale.”
“I have a headache.” She looked at Prissy. “It came on quickly, and now I feel the need to lie down.”
“Yes, you should. I’ll finish up here.”
Walking sluggishly, Lyndsey made her way back toward the house. Shame ate away at her memories, making her feel lower than the sinners her father preached about in the Bible. Why had she been so free with her kisses while with Adrian last night? She could have pushed him away several times. But like a lamb being led to slaughter, she’d allowed Adrian to take her in a private room and let him teach her about passionately kissing a man.
Tears stung her eyes. Guilt was a heavy burden to carry.
As she passed the chicken coop, the birds were squawking louder than usual, and the noise made the pounding in her head worse. Glancing inside the coop, a pair of men’s riding boots caught her attention. She followed them up past the man’s legs, up over his riding jacket, and came to rest on a handsome face.
“Adrian,” she gasped, moving inside the coop. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to hide.”
“Not again.” She rolled her eyes. “Why are you always trying to hide? This isn’t the pantry, you know.”
