On the fifth step from the bottom, at the back of the crevice was some sawdust. He frowned and peered back at the railing. It hadn’t broken off until the fourth step.
His stomach rolled as he came to the conclusion that whoever had tampered with the saddle had been inside the house, too. This wasnota coincidence at all.
* * * *
TEN DAYS HAD PASSEDsince the ball at Hanover Hall, and the earl had been to see Lyndsey every day. While he was there, they’d walk the grounds talking about things they liked and things they didn’t like. She really struggled not to drop Adrian’s name as one of her dislikes.
When Lord Hanover came to visit, one of Lyndsey’s sisters was always present, usually Priscilla, because Lizzie and Jannette were off getting into mischief. But the earl didn’t mind Prissy’s presence. It surprised Lyndsey that he rarely talked about his younger brother, and yet, at the same time, she felt relieved that he didn’t. Lord Hanover would know just by the irritation in her voice that she didn’t care for that man.
It was difficult, but she tried not to wonder why Adrian hadn’t shown his face around the farm since their talk at the pond, but his absence gave her time to reflect on her anger. As the days passed, so did her temper. Of course, she had been hesitant to forgive him for lying to her and treating her the way he had when they were at the pond, but at least now she didn’t hate him or loathe his very presence.
By mid-afternoon, she was restless, and sewing on her sampler just could not keep her entertained. Lord Hanover usually came to visit around this time, anyway. It wasn’t that she looked forward to his visits, but at least it was something to do. However, it was hard to laugh with him because when she looked into his eyes, they were the same hazel color as Adrian’s, and they sparkled in the same way. How could she not think of Adrian when that happened? But she learned to look away whenever Lord Hanover laughed at something she or her sister said.
Lyndsey set her sampler down and picked up her mystery novel. But after reading two pages and not remembering one word, she gave up and placed the book on the side table. Deciding to prepare refreshments for Lord Hanover’s visit, she walked into the kitchen to boil the water for their tea. Earlier today, Prissy had made some crumpets in preparation for the earl’s visit, too.
As Lyndsey moved back toward the parlor, Jannette and Lizzie rushed into the house, laughing so hard their faces were red. Lyndsey studied their attire. Both girls had dirt smudged on their dresses, and their messy hair caused Lyndsey to become curious.
“What have you two been doing?”
The girls exchanged glances and muffled their laughter behind their hands.
“Nothing,” they chimed together.
“I would hope,” Lyndsey said quickly, “that you’re not doing something Pa would get upset over.”
“Not at all.” Lizzie shook her head. She nudged Jannette and they darted up the stairs toward their room.
“Strange behavior,” Lyndsey muttered as she walked into the parlor. But then, her sisters were only in their sixteenth and seventeenth years. Perhaps they were still too young to act with decorum. Lyndsey then realized this behavior was actually typical for the silly girls.
She stopped at the window and peered outside. Rain clouds were starting to gather in the east, and she prayed it wouldn’t rain until after she and the earl had had their walk. Being inside sipping tea and eating cakes was absolutely boring. It was as if nobody knew what to talk about.
Suddenly, the door slammed, and footsteps pounded on the floor. Lyndsey spun around just as Prissy rushed into the room. Lines of irritation creased her sister’s forehead and around her mouth. She appeared as disheveled as Lizzie and Jannette had been, but thankfully, not as dirty.
“Where are they?” Priscilla’s voice was louder than normal.
“I can only assume that you are referring to ouradorableyounger sisters.”
Prissy rolled her eyes as she marched toward Lyndsey.
“Do you want to know what those twoadorablegirls did this time?” She held up a slingshot, the long strings hanging over her fingers and falling nearly to the floor.
Lyndsey held her breath, not really wanting to know what happened. She knew her sisters well enough. They were always in some kind of mischief.
“They dressed the Gosmans’ sheep in Miss Tamara’s corset!”
Closing her eyes, Lyndsey groaned. “Let me guess,” she muttered before looking at her sister. “Our sisters talked Miss Tamara into giving them her corset – again – so that they could dress the sheep in the latest fashion?”
Prissy gave a sharp nod. “Oh, but it’s worse than that.”
Lyndsey nibbled on her bottom lip. Did she want to know what could be worse? “Does it have something to do with the slingshot?”
“Indeed.” Huffing, Prissy plopped her hands on her hips. “After they’d dressed the poor sheep in the corset, they used the slingshot to shoot a rock into the bush where the sheep was grazing. It scared the poor animal so badly it began jumping all over the field. I made Lizzie and Jannette help me catch it, however, and that was when Lord Hanover drove by in his carriage.” She rubbed her forehead. “I know he saw us. I mean, it would be difficult not to see such a display. And I’m certain it absolutely appalled him.”
Lyndsey rubbed the back of her neck, trying not to get too upset. She couldn’t jump to conclusions. “Did you actually see Lord Hanover in the carriage?”
“Yes, and his attention was on me as I ran after the sheep. When Lizzie and Jannette saw the coach, they darted in another direction and ran into the tress, laughing loudly.”
“Oh, dear.” Lyndsey moved to the cushioned chair and sat. Pa was not going to like this one bit.
