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Alexander paced across the room again. There was a fourth letter that he wished to write, and yet he wavered. Sharing his experience and what he had learned with Miss Hadford would be a welcome release. She, of all people, would understand the ramifications of Mrs. Stanley’s confession. And yet, was it right for him to encumber her with such a gruesome discovery? He would not contemplate doing so if she were any other young lady. But Miss Hadford had already displayed sufficient grit to set her apart from the rest. Besides which, she cared enough about the children to relocate Asher to her own home. She would want to know, and if that were true, the real question was, Should he tell her by letter or in person?

His strong desire to see her, to talk this through with her, shook him. There were few people he took into his confidence, his friend Jonas being the most notable exception, and yet he wished more than anything else for Miss Hadford’s understanding and insight. How he had reached that point through a handful of letters and even fewer personal meetings he could not fathom. Neither could he deny it.

He moved to stand at the window and gazed out at the Charwell Park chimney tops. With a resigned sigh, he made his decision. He would tell Miss Hadford in person. But he would wait to speak with her until tomorrow. It would not do to make a second appearance at Charwell Park on the same day, and the news would undoubtedly affect her ability to rest tonight. Tomorrow, when she and Asher came to Bloxley Hall, would be soon enough. In the meantime, he would take his stallion and visit his tenants on the far side of Bloxley land. If he was out for the rest of the day and rode hard enough, there was a slim chance he would return exhausted enough to sleep.

Gathering the letters from the desk, he walked to the door. “Fink,” he called.

The butler materialized from the main hall. “You called, my lord?”

“Yes.” He handed him his correspondence. “These must catch the first available post.”

Fink bowed. “I shall see to it immediately, my lord.”

“Thank you. And would you send word to the stables to ready my horse. He should be rested enough from our earlier ride.”

“Right away, my lord.”

The Hadford carriage rolled up the long drive that led to Bloxley Hall, and Jane clasped her hands a little more tightly. She did not understand the confusion of emotions she was experiencing. How could she feel so petrifyingly nervous about the thought of seeing Lord Bloxley again while simultaneously feeling deliriously happy about it? No one had ever affected her this way before, and it was unsettling, to say the least.

The drive curved slightly to the left, giving those in the carriage their first full view of the house. Across from her, Alice and Asher stared out of the windows in wide-eyed wonder, and Jane was quite certain that a similar level of awe was visible in her own expression.

“Is that where Lord Bloxley lives?” Asher asked, pointing at the imposing structure ahead of them.

“It is indeed,” Jane said.

The house was at least triple the size of Charwell Park. Built of gray stone, it rose four stories high, with turrets at each corner. Towering pillars and ornate masonry made up the impressive portico, and half a dozen shallow stairs led up to a set of vast wooden doors. A long west wing and east wing helped enclose the courtyard and protected the circular water feature at its center. A huge granite fish emerged from the shallow pool, water spewing from its mouth.

“Are the fwogs and newts in there?” Asher asked, pressing his face more firmly against the glass.

“I don’t think so, dear.” Jane could only imagine Lady Bloxley’s consternation if her decorative pond were to be invaded by amphibians. “I think we will have to walk to that particular pond.”

The undetermined trek to the pond had given Jane no small amount of unease since Lord Bloxley had suggested the outing. As grateful as she was for the invitation, she hoped her ungainly gait would not be too great an encumbrance. She would undoubtedly slow their progress, especially as she would have to watch for uneven ground that might cause her to tumble.

The carriage rolled to a stop, and the front doors of the home opened. Two footmen descended the steps, and right behind them, Jane spotted Lord Bloxley.

“I see him,” Asher shouted, pointing at the earl.

A footman opened the carriage door, and before Jane could stop him, Asher clambered out and hurtled across the short distance to Lord Bloxley, combining his joyful greeting with wrapping his arms around the gentleman’s legs.

“Oh good heavens,” Jane said.

“I’m awful sorry, miss,” Alice said, looking stricken. “I didn’t think t’ talk to the lad about ’ow to greet the earl when ’e saw ’im next.”

Jane took a deep breath. “It’s quite all right, Alice. I’m as much to blame as you. We shall simply hope the earl is so happy for the warm reception he overlooks being virtually bowled over.”

“It does look that way, miss.”

Jane dared to peek out of the window again. Lord Bloxley was bent low, listening to Asher, who was pointing at the ornamental fish. She saw the earl shake his head and laugh. “He is rather remarkable in that respect, isn’t he?” Jane said of the earl.

“I’ve never seen the like, miss. Admittedly, I’ve not met many earls, but it seems t’ me that more often than not, they’re a bit stodgy.”

Jane chuckled. She knew several gentlemen—earls, dukes, and viscounts alike—for whom stodgy would be an apt description. “I believe you are right, Alice.”

A gloved hand appeared through the open doorway. “Miss Hadford.”

With only a slight hitch to her breath, Jane took Lord Bloxley’s hand and carefully stepped out of the carriage. He waited until she had her footing, then handed Jane her cane from the carriage.

“Welcome to Bloxley Hall,” he said.