Page 109 of Courting the Country Miss

“Not at all.”

“I know it isn’t my business, lad, but you seem a bit blue-deviled. Is there anything I can do to repay you?”

Tristan sighed. “No, sir, not unless you can change a person’s reputation or win a heart.”

A blond brow raised. “Whose reputation? Yours or another’s?”

“Mine, more’s the pity.”

“Ah. Your last few years as a rake are now hindering your wooing of a lady?”

Tristan blanched. Did everyone know of his wild ways?

“I had the same problem. I found the lady of my dreams but she wouldn’t hear of letting a known rouè court her.”

Tristan stilled. “What did you do?”

“First I took a hard look at myself to determine if I were changing to please her, or if I wanted to change. Once I realized that I wanted to change for the very reason I lost my heart to her—because my life, as I’d been living it, was meaningless—I turned my energy to bettering myself and my life; I took a greater interest in our estate, followed political concerns, took up some good causes, did everything I could to make myself into the kind of man that would attract a lady of her level of excellence.”

Tristan nodded. “And then?”

“It wasn’t easy, I feared it was too little too late for her—others were courting her. But I refused to give up.”

“Did it work?”

His blue eyes danced as he fingered the bracelet . “After thirty two years of marriage, I’m still her hero.”

“I’m glad. I hope it works out as well for me.”

The older man nodded. “I wish I were having this conversation with my son, Cole. At first I was proud of his exploits, but he’s doomed to suffer from the same mistakes I did. I hope he doesn’t wait until it’s too late.” He clapped Tristan on the shoulder. “Change is not easy, but it’s worth it.”

“Did you find it?” a feminine voice called from the far end of the room leading to the great hall.

Tristan grinned at the earl. “Go impress your lady fair.”

The earl held up the bracelet and called, “Right here, my love.”

The countess, a stunning older lady with rich, dark hair, clasped her hands together. “My hero. You always manage to save the day.”

Tristan bowed and crossed the wood floor, scuffed from dancers, on his way out. He must find a way to prove himself to Leticia.

Perhaps he could ask his man of business to provide a ledger, which would show his expenses were not extravagant, and that his gambling wins and losses were infrequent and never for exorbitant amounts. He could show that to Leticia to put her mind at ease in that regard. As far as drinking, she already noticed he’d virtually cut that out of his life. As to the more serious of all his past vices, he was at a total loss. He’d resisted all manner of temptations, with more ease than he ever would have imagined, but she had no way of knowing that. How could he prove his faithfulness?

Chapter Thirty-One

With the train of her riding habit draped over her arm, Leticia paced the length of the foyer. Morning light peeked in the windows, but failed to cast light on a wise course of action. She turned and paced back the other way, passing a table filled with flowers from both Lord Bradbury and Tristan. She continued into the open doorway of the morning parlor.

“Leticia?”

Leticia let out a yelp and jumped back. “Gracious, Aunt! You nearly put me into an early grave.”

Aunt chuckled. “I didn’t mean to startle you, dear.” Curled up in a settee and wearing an ivory morning gown, Aunt Alice sipped tea.

“I didn’t think anyone was up at this hour.” Leticia sat in an armchair next to her aunt.

“I don’t sleep much these days. I’m surprised to see you up after such a late night.”

Leticia adjusted her riding gloves. “I’m going riding with Tristan.”