“Every summer.”
“No success?”
“Got him around the stable yard once or twice. Boy's fear made the horses skittish. Horses made the boy worse.”
“Let me guess, the horses were not well chosen, and the duke blamed the boy.”
The groom looked down. “I'll be getting back to work,” he said.
Will felt sick. He had failed Charles, too. It had taken him too long to realize that Emery kept his family isolated, and why. The duke and duchess attended Will and Sylvia's father's funeral, but left quickly afterward. Her responses to Will's letters were stiff and infrequent. Overwhelmed by his new title and responsibilities, Will had bowed to his brother-in-law's wishes.
He should have known better. Abusers cover their crimes in secrecy. Eventually, he suspected Emery censored Sylvia's mail, but the man died before he could investigate. Only then did the full measure of damage become clear.
His mind went to Songbird Cottage and the boys there. Young Freddy approached Mercury, a huge, spirited stallion, with confidence, skill, and no fear. Once again, the idea arose that the boys at Songbird Cottage might be good for Charles.
Still, Sylvia's veiled comments about those who lived there stood in the way. It would be like Emery to establish a mistress next door. That's what Sylvia hinted. He certainly had more than one in town. The woman, Catherine, didn't look the part, however.
Perhaps I should investigate. Could those boys be hers? She would have been awfully young, but then, Emery always did like them young.
If the boys are Emery's, the estate bore some responsibility for them. A thought made his heart stutter. The boys could be Charles's brothers! The thought of investigating cheered him. Songbird Cottage would certainly be more entertaining than the rest of the messes he had to clean up.
Besides, I have to find a decent steward, he thought. Better than decent. My own land is calling me home, and Sylvia can't oversee this mess.
He could ask about local candidates at Songbird Cottage. It was reason enough to visit. That thought was enough to get him up early with a smile on his face the next day. Perhaps I can see how the animal nativity has progressed, he thought with a grin.
Chapter Three
Catherine hummed to herself as she walked around the barn from the chicken coop. She looked over the numbers on her notes as she did. If production continued at this pace, the egg money alone might provide sufficient cash to see them through winter. If the hens stay healthy. If the foxes stay away. If?—
A big bay hunter trotted down the lane, slowed to a walk, and stopped. The curious earl was back.
A flash of vanity made her wonder if she might pop up the rear stairs and change from her work clothes before she was noticed. The earl looked up and nodded in greeting. He glanced at the door and back at Catherine, as if deciding whether to greet her or knock.
Too late. He can take me as I am.
She strode over and curtseyed to their guest. "What may I do for you, my lord?"
"I thought to pay a call on your father, Miss—" he said.
"Welcome, then. Excuse our informality." She opened the door and brought him in. In a well-run household, a servant would meet him at the door, she thought. She wouldn't apologize that their one cook/housekeeper had gone into the village this day.
He'll have to take all of us as we are.
As if in response to her thoughts, footsteps pounded down from the upper story.
"There's a horse out front, Cath. The earl is back!" Freddy shouted, before he noticed their guest and skidded to a stop. The look on Catherine's face was enough to make him recall his manners.
"Oh, sorry, Lord Chadbourn," he said, sketching a tolerably correct bow. Randy, who followed behind him, did the same.
"Welcome, my lord," Randy said, just before his brother burst out with, "May I see to your horse?" Freddy looked desperately eager.
The earl looked disconcerted. Of course he doesn't want boys handling his cattle. It isn't as if we have stables.
"His Lordship has come to visit Papa. You young men are meant to be at your numbers. Off with you."
Randy smiled at the earl and started up the stairs, watching over his shoulder. Freddy looked as if he meant to argue.
"Perhaps another time," Chadbourn said. "I will be in the neighborhood at least until the New Year."
