The Earl and His Lady: A Regency Romance (Branches of Love Book 4)

by Sally Britton

  “You are not upset?” he asked, turning at last to look at her, his eyebrows lifted.

  “I am disappointed in my staff’s behavior, but I cannot say I blame them. They don’t know the whole story. Nor will they. It’s quite personal, after all. But I have corrected the assumption and I do not think it will be long before things are set to rights.” Virginia turned away, taking in the rolling hills as far as her eye could see. It was a different view from what she had become accustomed to at Annesbury Park, yet she found she loved them both. Trees or open fields, red brick or gray stone, each place held distinct beauty and charm.

  “I’ve missed being here,” she said, then drew in a deep breath. “I never appreciated country living until I came here.”

  “It’s beautiful,” he said quietly. Virginia turned to smile at him and realized his eyes were on her, not the distant hills.

  Heat rushed into her cheeks and she cleared her throat, stepping away from him. “I’ve just recalled, I promised Edward to retrieve something from the children’s crow’s nest. It’s in the trees, south of the gardens.”

  Lucas nodded and turned in that direction. “Do you think we can fetch it and return before luncheon?”

  “Yes, of course. But you needn’t come if you are busy—”

  He laughed and looked sideways at her, a twinkle in his eye. “Virginia, my whole purpose for being in Suffolk is to assist you. Whether it’s meeting with the steward or climbing a tree, I am at your service. Now, will you lead the way to the crow’s nest?”

  Virginia smiled back at him, despite the strange flutter behind her heart’s walls.

  It is flattering, and would be in any situation, for a man of his standing to offer such aid.

  She started down the path, tucking her hands behind her. He did the same, rather than offer his arm again.

  “Who built this crow’s nest?” Lucas asked when their path veered down a small hill.

  “Charles’s father had it built, years ago, for his boys. When Phillip came along, Charles had it repaired. Phillip was barely out of leading strings the first time Charles took him there. I stood beneath them, certain something terrible would happen and Phillip would fall.” She shook her head, her eyes going to the small grove of trees that marked their destination. “I should not have worried. Charles would never allow harm to come to those boys.”

  Lucas said nothing, and when she glanced at him from the corner of her eye, she saw a look of serious contemplation on his face. What was he thinking? Was she speaking of Charles too much? Too warmly? Had she said something wrong—?

  “He sounds like the very sort of father I hope to be,” Lucas said, his words quiet but firm.

  Did he mean for the children he fathered someday, or for Phillip and Edward too?

  When he looked down at her, the warmth in his expression answered the question. “And I hope he would approve of my endeavors on behalf of your sons.”

  “I’m certain he would.”

  Virginia’s attention focused on the trees again, and she pointed at the one with boards nailed to its side to create a ladder. “Just up there. Edward left his seashells somewhere inside.”

  Lucas looked upward and nodded, then stripped off his jacket and handed it to her to hold. Virginia watched as he pushed his shirtsleeves up and took a rung in hand.

  The bottom of the crow’s nest, which was really a rounded wooden box, was at least ten feet off the ground. Lucas made short work of the climb, pushed the hatchway open and hoisted himself inside with little effort.

  She heard his boots on the boards and then the top hatch swung open, and his head popped out of it.

  “This is incredible,” he said, looking down at her. “If I’d had something like this as a boy, I never would’ve come inside for lessons.” His grin was wide and impish, his eyes alight. “Do you think we ought to build something like it at Annesbury Park? Perhaps two such constructions, so battles may be planned by opposing field commanders.”

  His obvious delight made Virginia laugh, picturing him running about under the trees with Phillip and Edward, enacting grand battles.

  “Lucas, you have proved something I have long wondered.”

  He folded his arms on the rim of the crow’s nest and looked down at her, his head cocked to one side. “And what is that?”

  “Inside every gentleman, there is still a little boy looking to turn pirate.”

  He laughed, but he did not deny it. With his grin still in place, he ducked back down and a moment later he was coming down the ladder with a jar tucked under his arm.

  “I can see why Edward would miss these. They are quite the treasure.”

  She hesitated a moment, looking at the jar in his hands, before deciding to explain it to him. “His father collected those shells with him, last autumn, when we went to Aldringham to visit the seaside.”

  “Then they are all the more precious.” He held the shells out to her and she exchanged them for his jacket. He shrugged back into his coat, buttoned it, then bowed and offered his arm to her again. “Might this pirate escort you to luncheon, my lady?”

  Virginia put her hand on his arm and an unlooked-for tingle shot from her ungloved fingertips straight to her heart. Her eyes shot to his, wide and uncertain. Did he feel the curious sensation as well?

  But Lucas was looking up the hill, the way they’d come. “A morning’s work of discovering treasure has given me quite the appetite.” He looked down just long enough to share his grin, then started up the hill.

  Stop being foolish, Ginny, she chided herself. Lucas respects your situation as a widow. He feels nothing but responsibility for you.

  That might’ve been so, but it seemed her body was not entirely certain of her status as a bereaved woman.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Their third day at the estate, Lucas arose early and made his inspection of the stables. Horses had always held an interest for him, and he wanted to see if the stables had any mounts he might bring back with him to Annesbury Park, for the boys’ use.

  Measuring his time between his own holdings and the barony would take consideration. He needed to be fair to his new family and the people of the estates. Annesbury Park was his principle home, but there was also the house in London and three other properties held by the title for him to consider.

  Perhaps it was time to lease out one or two of the smaller holdings, allowing someone else to maintain the responsibilities of the local landowner. Lucas would discuss it with Virginia first, then consult his financial adviser in London when next in town.

  He paused, midway through his admiration of a butter-colored stallion. When had it become a natural thing, to desire to speak to Virginia about his business practices?

  “Do you fancy King Lud, my lord?” the stablemaster, Mr. Ritter, asked.

  Lucas came back to himself and looked the beast over again. “I do. I imagine his lines are excellent?”

  “Aye, my lord. And he was a favorite of Lord Heatherton’s. The baron always intended to breed him, too. He’s a fine hunter.”

  Lucas nodded, examining the animal with a more critical eye. “I can understand that. His coloring is unusual.”

  “His line goes to the continent, my lord. A Spanish Dorado is in his ancestry. It’s in his papers.”

  “Palominos,” Lucas murmured, looking at the dazzling animal with greater appreciation. The honey-colored mane and light coat was striking. “And his name is King Lud?”

  “Yes, my lord.” Mr. Ritter grinned, scratching his forehead beneath his cap. “The king part I agree with, but Lud I never could figure out.”

  Lucas chuckled and stepped away from the stall. “When we leave, I’d like to take His Majesty with me. King Lud might sire a suitable mount for the Lord Phillip Macon.”

  Mr. Ritter’s eyes took on a different quality, his face plainly showed his surprise. “Aye, my lord. I can’t think of a better thing to do for the lad. I’ll make certain King Lud is ready for travel.”

 
“Wonderful.” Lucas crossed his arms, taking in the stable. It was all in good repair and tidy. The staff knew their work.

  “Will there be anything else, my lord?”

  “Yes.” Lucas took his pocket watch from his jacket. “In an hour’s time, Lady Calvert and I would like to ride out and visit her tenants. Would you make ready a gig?”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Lucas bid the man good morning before heading back to the house. He and Virginia had agreed to the outing the night before. She had three families who worked as tenant farmers, and a pension cottage, to visit.

  The day was fine for the errand, too. The sky was bluer than gray, the clouds wispy and white. Lucas planned to ride later in the afternoon to inspect the fields now that the household matters were well in hand.

  When the hour to meet Virginia came, Lucas waited in the hallway, gloves in hand and hat on his head. The black band was around his arm, as it had been every time he’d left the house since Sunday.

  “I hope you’ve not been waiting long.”

  Lucas’s gaze went to the stairs as he heard Virginia’s voice. He never tired of seeing her. She’d changed clothing since breakfast. Now she wore a walking dress of light gray, black gloves, and a straw bonnet with a black band. It was less embellished than her other dresses, appropriate for visiting tenants. She carried a parasol, too. Her cheeks were rosy again, her step lighter. It was easy enough to tell this was an errand she looked forward to. Lucas didn’t dare allow himself to think that her pleasure stemmed from spending time with him.

  Ignoring the way his heart’s rhythm increased at her approach, Lucas pulled on his gloves. “Not at all. I am only eager to be outdoors again, and the day is very fine.”

  What an inane thing to say. Am I a boy of sixteen or a peer of thirty-three? He nearly huffed at himself, but schooled his features and instead offered her his arm.

  Virginia smiled up at him, not at all put off by his remark on the weather. “I have been glancing out the window all morning in anticipation. It’s wonderful the sun has made a reappearance.”

  It was more wonderful how her smile lit up his whole day. But he refrained from saying so.

  I am no better than a schoolboy.

  A footman appeared from the hall with a basket. “My lady. From Cook.”

  “Ah, thank you, Stephan.” Virginia took the basket and, at Lucas’s questioning look, lifted the cloth from the top to show him its contents.

  “Biscuits,” he said. “And a great many. I hope those aren’t for us.”

  She laughed and lowered the cloth. “No, though if you wanted one I might spare it. They’re for the tenant children. I always take them sweets.”

  “A joyful task indeed. Shall we?” Her tender heart was yet another reason his feelings for her strengthened daily.

  In minutes, they were outside and he was driving the gig, following her instructions to come to the first of the tenant cottages. They were well-built and appeared no more than a few years old.

  Children played in one yard, kneeling beneath the shade of a tree, while a woman sat outside the door working a butter churn. The woman stopped her work and came to her feet when the gig came to a stop.

  Lucas jumped out. He tipped his hat to the woman before reaching up to help Virginia descend.

  The woman used the corner of her apron to wipe perspiration from her forehead as they approached.

  “Hello, Mrs. Martin. How are you this fine summer day?” Virginia asked when they were steps away.

  “Very well, my lady. Thank you.”

  “My lord, may I present Mrs. George Martin, wife to one of our tenants. Mrs. Martin, this is my husband, Lord Calvert, Earl of Annesbury.”

  Mrs. Martin dipped a curtsy. “A pleasure, my lord.”

  “You have all the children here today? Except the older boys, I see.” Virginia nodded to the gaggle of little ones who watched her with rapt attention, their eyes directed at the basket on her arm.

  “Yes, my lady. Mine and Mrs. Simmons’s, and Mrs. Johnson’s eldest girl is helping me mind them. Mrs. Simmons is helping to nurse Mrs. Johnson’s children today to give the poor lady a rest. There’s illness in the home. It’s all the poor weather, my lady. It doesn’t give a body time to get well.”

  “Dear me. I didn’t realize the Simmons family was ill.” Virginia looked to the children and waved over an older girl, probably no more than twelve. “Sarah? Would you come take this basket? It’s terribly heavy. If you and the other children could see to lightening it by a cookie apiece, I’d be grateful.”

  The little miss hurried forward, a smile on her face. “Yes, my lady.” She took the basket and curtsied before hurrying back to the others, all their little faces split in half by their grins.

  But Lucas stayed focused on the topic of conversation. “What is it that ails the family, Mrs. Martin?” he asked, concerned. Summer was not usually a time for serious sicknesses. Perhaps the difficult weather did have something to do with it.

  “The apothecary’s been to see them,” Mrs. Martin said, creases appearing on her brow. “He said it’s not too serious, but suspects the scarlet fever, only he used a fancier name for it.”

  Lucas’s blood went cold. His muscles stiffened, and his eyes went to the children. If there were members of the infected family in that group, might they not carry it with them? The basket was passed around from one child to another, and he watched each of them carefully. Did that little boy appear to move more slowly? Did he look pale?

  “That’s terrible. The little ones are all right?”

  “Yes, my lady. They’re keepin’ everyone covered in cool cloths and drinking good broth. I sent some over myself with Mrs. Simmons.”

  “Do they have any needs you know of? I would like to take them a basket of things to help.” Virginia’s kind voice, appropriately serious, brought Lucas’s attention back to her as the crack of a whip would.

  “Perhaps more herbs to make the broth palatable? But you would know best, my lady. You take such care with us.” Mrs. Martin smiled and reached out to touch Virginia’s hand. “We’re all glad to see you, my lady. It was a shame, to lose his lordship. But it’s good you have someone else to look after you now.”

  And look after Virginia he would.

  Lucas didn’t say another word, waiting for the visit to end. He could hardly give ear to what the women said, so focused was he on his thoughts and the desire to be on their way. When Virginia at last said her goodbyes and moved to retrieve her basket, Lucas sprang into action.

  “Let me tend to it, my lady.” He steered her to the gig instead, barely registering what she said to him. He handed her up, then turned to see the young girl had followed, basket in hand. There were still biscuits inside, likely for the other children Virginia anticipated seeing.

  “Thank you,” he said. She bobbed a curtsy as he took it.

  Lucas went to the gig and shoved the basket beneath his seat, climbed up, and stripped his gloves. He dropped them on the floor and lifted the reins. Virginia watched him, brow furrowed in confusion, but he turned the gig around to go back to Heatherton Hall.

  “Lucas, we ought to go the other way to see the Simmons family—”

  “We aren’t seeing any more tenants today,” he said firmly, keeping his eyes on the horses. “Nor during the remainder of our visit.”

  Virginia jolted and turned, eyes wide. “Lucas Calvert, you do not make those decisions on my behalf! What has come over you?”

  “Actually, I am within my rights to make those decisions, my lady,” he said. Her eyes were snapping dangerously, but he didn’t care. “As your husband, I must insist you heed me. No more visits.”

  “Lucas, these people are under my care until Phillip comes of age. You cannot simply—”

  “I can and I have.” He turned to her long enough to make certain she saw his determination, that his will must be obeyed. She’d gone red in the cheeks, her lips pressed tightly together. “Your tenants have managed this long wi
thout your interference, they will keep a little longer.”

  Virginia threw her hands up, her frustration evident in the movement. “They aren’t preserves on a shelf to keep, Lucas. These are people. Good people. They’ve been neglected, they need to know—”

  He pulled the reins, more harshly than his usual manner, and when the horses stopped he turned fully in the seat to glare at her. Why did she have to be so stubborn? He never asked anything of her. He saw to all her needs, made certain she and the boys had everything they could want, and she wouldn’t acquiesce to this single request?

  “I need to know that you will obey me in this, Virginia.” He’d lowered his voice, realizing he’d been shouting before, but even he heard the edge to his tone. He was nearly growling at her. He didn’t care.

  “Obey?” Virginia’s head reared back on the word. “Obey? Lucas, you are being completely unreasonable. I have tenants that I have a duty to, and that duty is also to my son. There is illness among them, and—”

  “That’s precisely why I need you to listen to me,” he said, a note of pleading in his words that he could not help. Anger was easier. Frustration was easier. But if he must beg, he would. “You cannot risk yourself. Not with the fever—” And there his voice cracked and Lucas turned away, studying the reins in his hands.

  “Scarlet fever is serious, Lucas. And the tenants cannot afford the care we could.” She huffed, sounding as if she was reprimanding a child, explaining the obvious to him.

  “Then pay the apothecary to make another visit, to take them more concoctions.” He swallowed and his hands tightened on the leather straps. She didn’t understand. “Send a basket, send a cart full of things for them, but do not go yourself. Please. Please, Virginia.” Then he closed his eyes, his heart aching with memories and fear.

  Virginia’s hand on his arm, her touch gentle, made him shudder.

  “Lucas, what’s the matter with you? I know scarlet fever is contagious. Everyone knows that. I will be careful. I promise.”