Page 42 of Watching the Earl

“Good day, Lord Durham, and many felicitations on your marriage.”

As soon as the man stepped across the threshold, Haines closed the door, the look of distaste on his face a rare sight.

Philip bit down on a smile. “Tell me, Haines, has my wife broken her fast yet?”

“Not that I know of, my lord.”

“Excellent. Please have a tray sent up to her sitting room for both of us.”

“Of course, my lord.” Though Haines didn’t quite smile, it was apparent he was pleased.

Philip walked up the stairs. Something about being around Claremont and the man’s complete disregard for politeness had him wishing to be with his wife. It could be simply that she was a new development in his life, or it could be that he was appreciating their time alone more than he’d anticipated.

Either way, it didn’t matter. She was now his wife, and they could get to know each other much better without Society’s prying eyes. Their compatibility was key to a united front, as was the lack of any untoward gossip about their past situations.

He’d thought to enter Georgina’s sitting room, but at the thought of seeing her dressing, her hair being put up as she always wore it, he changed direction and opened the door to her bedroom. It was empty. Not deterred, he strode into the connecting dressing room, but found it also empty. Surprised she was already dressed for the day, considering the early hour, he moved to the sitting room, just as the door to the corridor opened and Georgina’s lady’s maid stepped in—but there was no sign of Georgina.

“My lord.”

“Where is my wife?”

“She left for the garden about half an hour ago.”

“Did she say where in the garden she was going?” He knew it a futile question, since in a matter of thirty minutes his new wife could have walked the gardens and headed to the woods.

“Yes, she did. She wanted to search out the gardener. I told her about the gardener’s building I learned about last night. I hope that was acceptable, my lord.”

He brushed by the woman, anxious to discover what his wife had in mind. “Yes, that’s fine.” He halted. “Thank you.” Without another word, he headed down the corridor, then the grand staircase, and out through the terrace doors in his study.

He jogged down the two steps and to the small stone building at the east end of the garden, the complete opposite direction of the old dovecote. When he reached the building, he found the door open, but no one there. He should have known. He just hoped she didn’t tire old Beeson. The head gardener was old enough to be a grandfather many times over.

Having an inkling where she might be now, he headed toward the opposite end of the garden. Just as she was always moving, she also physically moved fast, which he hypothesized meant her mind moved just as fast. From the look she’d given him yesterday when he told her they could open the dovecote again, there was a very good chance she was there. In fact, he’d bet his horse on that…if he were still gambling, which he wasn’t.

As he approached the dovecote, he heard no voices within. It was fortuitous that he wasn’t betting, then. He stepped across the threshold to find his gardener studying one of the beams. “Mr. Beeson.”

The old man turned his head. “My lord, it’s good to see you.” He walked toward Philip. “I just spoke to your wife, and she is truly a most knowledgeable lady. Congratulations on your marriage.”

Mr. Beeson smiled, so Philip decided not to point out that his success in picking a wife appeared to hinge on her knowledge of birds and dovecotes. “Thank you. Is she about here somewhere?”

“No. She left for the house a few minutes ago. She said she wished to break her fast with you on the terrace because it was such a pleasant day. I have to say, sir, if you don’t mind, her plan to bring doves back to Crestfield Hall makes my old heart happy.”

“As long as your staff takes care of them. I don’t want my wife climbing a ladder to remove eggs out of nests.”

“Of course not, sir.”

Philip raised his brows at Beeson. “You’ve met her.” He waited for the old gardener to comprehend what he meant.

Beeson’s eyes widened. “Oh, yes, I see. We will be sure to take care of everything, so there will be no need for her to worry, or think we are too slow.”

Satisfied, Philip gave the man a smile. “I appreciate that. Now, I’m off to break my fast.” Turning on his heel, he left the building and headed directly for the terrace before the ballroom. Once there, he’d simply walk over to where he was sure she’d have the footmen serving the meal.

When he reached the terrace, he walked toward the table and two chairs set up just outside the dining room. A footman stood awaiting his request, but there was no sign of his wife. Where could she have gotten to now?

“My lord.” Mrs. Newman walked out onto the terrace. “I received your message, but Lady Durham requested to break her fast out here with you. I hope that is acceptable.” The woman set a vase of pansies on the round table that sat ten easily.

“It’s fine. Where is Lady—my wife?”

“She went to her dressing room to change.” Mrs. Newman lowered her voice. “She said she wished to look her best of her first full day as your wife. I do believe she is quite taken with you.”