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Appalledat her errant thoughts, for Althelia didn’t go about undressing men mentally, she scrambled for something to distract her.

“I stopped by the kitchen.” She steered Stardust to Papa’s side. “Mrs. Tastespotting made cinnamon buns and sticky buns. They should be fresh from the oven when we return. She said there would be shortbread and gingerbread for tea today too. I do believe she loves baking Christmas treats as much as we enjoy eating them.”

Alight lit in Mr. Lockington’s eyes, and his mouth twitched the merest bit at the mention of the sweet treats.

Hmm,was food the way to win the man over?

Honestly, for some reason, that didn’t surprise Althelia.

“Mrs. Tastespotting does spoil us around the holidays.” Grinning, Papa patted his flat stomach. “I shall have to watch my waistline lest I grow fat.”

Stillhandsome and fit at almost six and sixty, there was little chance of that. He would celebrate his birthday on Christmas day.

“We all overindulge during the holidays,” Fletcher put in.

Fletcher’scontinued presence was a distinct peculiarity.

Altheliahad seen more of him this past year than the ten previous years combined. She had heard a few hushed conversations, which always came to an abrupt halt when she drew near.

Men and their secrets.

Somethingwas afoot with his business ventures in London.

Thesmall troupe set off at a sedate pace toward the south meadow. Yesterday’s snow hadn’t melted, and the horses’ hooves kicked up frozen white blobs as the riders slugged along.

Normally, Althelia preferred giving Stardust her head and letting the horse race neck or nothing across the field, but today, she held the mare back. Her brothers and father weren’t so inclined, and in moments, they left her and Mr. Lockington behind.

Frostclung to the shrubs and grass, causing them to sparkle as the sun’s rays gingerly touched them. An intricately woven cobweb on a fence glittered with a thousand frozen jewels, and a boisterous crow called raucously, disturbing the early morning tranquility.

Cheeksand nose cold and likely red as the holly berries throughout the house, Althelia sent Mr. Lockington a sideways look from the corner of her eye but refrained from asking the obvious.

Heseemed content to walk Sampson.

Menof her acquaintance, including her father and brothers, liked to lay low across their saddles.

“I can practically hear the gears turning in your mind, LadyAlthelia.” Mr. Lockington twisted his mouth in what she presumed was meant to be a smile.

Ifso, he was sorely out of practice.

“Oh?” She arched a skeptical eyebrow.

Heraised a hawkish eyebrow in challenge. “You cannot fathom why I didn’t pelt after your brothers and father but are undecided whether it would be rude to say as much.”