Lord Suitor (7 page)

Tessa's
jaw dropped at his audacity. "You have no such thing," she
spluttered. "You have never asked me."

"Did
I say it was you I'm wooing?"

She
knew she gaped like a fish. "Then, I apologize," she said stiffly and
brushed her clammy hands over her skirts.

Nat
flicked her nose with his finger. "Of course it is. I intend to woo you,
win you, and ask for your hand when I get back. Be prepared for a siege, my
dear."

The
sunshine that had been absent all morning shone through the window and cast
shadows over his face.

Nat
grinned, his eyes twinkled and he bowed over her hand. "You have been
warned, swee... Sweet as it is to be here, I must go."

Tessa
bit her lip. Had he been going to call her sweetheart? Hadn't he used that word
earlier on? Was it that which reminded her of her one perfect night, or was she
so tied up in her memories her mind was playing tricks in her?

"Do
you know any smugglers, my lord?"

Chapter Seven

How to answer that and not
incriminate myself? No one, but no one, admits to such a thing.

"I
know of them, of course. It would be impossible to live near the coast and fail
to do so. Why do you ask?" he said cautiously. "Does your papa not
find a pipe of brandy under the hay bales on smugglers moon? Do you not look
the other way?"

Tessa
scowled, paced the room, and whirled around to stand in front of him.

"Of
course he does. And we have generally been well schooled." She blushed.
"Do you not? But that wasn't my question. You have a way of changing the
subject, my lord. Do
you
know any
smugglers?"

How
should he word his answer? "I'm sure I do," Nat said. "I hazard
a guess so do you." For several seconds he enjoyed the blush that swept
over her skin before he took pity on her and continued. "But as you well
know, no one but
no
one admits to
being a gentleman of that ilk."

Tessa
chuckled. "True enough. Ah well. Have a safe journey, my lord. Do you know
how long you will be away?"

Was
there a hint of wistfulness in her voice, or was it wishful thinking on his part?

"Until
I speak to Frost, I won't really know." He temporized his reply. "A
few days? A few weeks? As long as it takes.
Will
you miss me?"

"Of
course, who else will dog my footsteps—at a distance—and rescue me from
inopportune suitors?"

Not
that he'd done that within her view lately. Nat had been very discreet but very
thorough. Nobody was in any doubt that he had appointed himself protector for
all
the Birch family. If they thought it
strange, so be it. Even though, as an earl, Nat could have refused to explain,
he was of the school ‘say a little and people are satisfied, say nothing and they
are not’. Therefore, when anyone was bold enough to inquire about his
intentions, he let it be known that as neighbors, they watched each other's backs.
As he accompanied this statement with one perfectly arched brow, and a look that
meant "and what business is it of yours," few ventured further. Those
that did got short shrift. No one wanted to antagonize such an influential
person as the Earl of Fenniston.

"You'll
have to rely on Arthur until I return." Arthur would oblige. Nat had seen
to that. "And be ready for my return."

"I
will? Why?"

"Because,
my dear, once I return, be ready to be wooed in earnest. The time for
dissembling will be over. Whilst I'm away, can I beg you to think over my
words?"

He
waited and hoped to hell none of his apprehension showed on his face. He needed
to know she would be here, under the watchful eye of Mijo. Eventually, just as
he was about to scream, she nodded.

"I
like the idea of you begging. So, yes. Reluctantly."

He
thought it best not to say it was more likely she would beg.

"It's
enough. I know you'll honor your word. Once I return, you will be courted, and make
no mistake, I will ask
you
for your
hand in marriage. I thought a June wedding?"

"June?
It's April already." Tessa shook her head. "You are quite mad. Not a
chance."

"No?
August then? Shall I tell your mama to arrange a date for that month?"

"Noooo."
Tessa screeched the word. "I have
not
agreed to marry you."

He
chuckled. She was so much fun to spar with it boded well for their future. "Pity,
it would have given you more time to get your bridal clothes." Nat bowed
and left the room, whistling as he did so. The sound of something hard hitting
the door just as he left the room made him laugh out loud.

Really
that had gone rather well, all things considering.

****

"But
what if 'e 'ates me?"

Cubby
switched from excitement to worry at regular intervals. If Nat hadn't known how
earnest the lad was in doing all that he should, he could have snapped at him.
But Cubby was, well, Cubby and Nat would do nothing to upset him. Even in the
short space of time they'd been acquainted, Cubby had become important to Nat.

"Why
should he?" Nat asked the lad. "Are you going to pull out the hen's
tail feathers? Torture the cat? Refuse to do as he says? Make me a fool for
trusting you?"

"Course
not, I wouldn't do any of that stuff."

"Then
he will not hate you." Nat risked a quick glance at his companion. Cubby,
dressed neatly in clean, serviceable clothes, did, in the words of Nat's
housekeeper, scrub up well. He still didn't appear like an angelic choirboy, but
nor did he look like a disreputable ruffian, either. Nat looked back at the
road and checked where they were. A long, straight, quiet, little-used road,
not far from the inn where he intended to spend the last night of their journey.
Fairly open and with no low branches to unseat anyone not paying attention to
their surroundings, it was the ideal place for what he had in mind.

"Here.
Remember they need a gentle hand." He passed the reins to Cubby, who took
them automatically, realized what he was holding, and almost dropped them.

"Me?"
He squeaked the word. "Yer chestnuts?"

"You.
You have a way with horses. My chestnuts are the only ones I can see."

"I
loves 'em," Cubby said simply. "All of em, not just these. Though
mind, these are special. And if you loves 'em and treats 'em right, they loves
you and treat you right back."

"I
noticed. Watch and learn well. Orsman, who looks after my horses in Devon,
wants to retire soon. If you prove your worth, I reckon his retirement will coincide
with the time you are ready to take over."

Cubby
didn't say a word, but the look in his eyes made Nat feel somewhat emotional. He
watched and waited as the young lad steered the horses around a pothole. His
face was a study in concentration, and the end of his tongue poked between his
lips.

Eventually
Cubby sighed. "Ooh err. Thank you, my lord. I reckon it will." Even
his voice had taken on a new tone. Less street urchin, more respectable youth.
"I willern't er, will not, I mean, let you down."

It
was enough to make Nat realize his instinct had been true. Now he had to hope
it also was with regards to his plans for Tessa. For several minutes he sat and
cogitated while keeping half of his mind on Cubby, the other half on Tessa. The
trees and fields didn't hold much of his attention, nor did the few cottages
they passed. Only once did he prepare to take over when a gig drew near, but a
quick glance at Cubby's face showed Nat all was well. He returned to his
thoughts.

"Mist...m'lord,
the Post is a comin'. I'm not up to passing by it yet." Cubby's voice was
sharp and worried.

Nat
dragged his mind back to the there and then, and took the reins as the Exeter
to London mail swept passed them, horses sweating and coach rocking.

"Cor."
The admiration in Cubby's voice made Nat laugh.

"Do
you wish we were on it?"

"Nah,
I prefer this. Say, are we stoppin' soon? I'm fair clemmed."

"Rubbish,
you are not starved. You ate enough at breakfast for both of us."

Cubby
grinned and showed the gap in his teeth where one had fallen out after he and
the newel post at the bottom of the town house stairs had met. "I'm a
growin' lad, you said so."

"Outward
as well as upward at this rate," Nat remarked ruefully. "However,
never fear. The inn where we'll spend the night is no more than thirty minutes
from here. You won't get a chance to fade away from lack of food."

He
was as good as his word, and within the half hour, he tooled the horses into
the yard of the Swan, and handed the reins to one of the ostlers who ran over
to help him.

Nat
swung down and turned to Cubby, who hovered uncertainly next to the wheels of
the curricle. "Come, let's get somewhere to sleep, somewhere to eat, and
something to fill your ever empty belly." He put his hand on Cubby's
shoulder and urged him forward. Cubby seemed reluctant to follow.

"What's
wrong?"

"Should
I not stop with the horses? What if someone pinches them?"

Nat
looked down at him. The lad did have some flights of fancy, but his eyesight
was sharp, and his intelligence well above average. Several times over the past
few days, he'd been proven correct. Such as saying a wheel looked "dicky"
and then pointing out the pin was loose, or that if Nat wasn't careful, he'd lose
his watch, because the chain was too thin. However, this worry seemed
unfounded. The inn was reputable, and the stables well attended.

"Were
they stolen last night?" Nat asked Cubby. "Did someone try to poison
their oats?"

"Oh
Lord, I never thoughts of that. I'm sleeping wiff 'em." He turned and began
to dart away.

Nat
grabbed hold of his collar. "No, you are not. You're going to come inside and
wash, yes, wash."

Cubby
gasped. "You made me wash yesterday."

"And
I'm going to make you wash today. And also tomorrow. No one shares my room
unwashed, and yes, you will sleep on the truckle bed, not in the stables. Remember
what's going to happen in Devon. You need to prepare. Now, enough. We don't
want Stomburn to think you're a hoyden." He nodded to the rotund landlord,
who beamed at them. "My ward, Stomburn. He worries a lot."

"Bless
you, young lad. Nowt to worry with his lordship around." Stomburn bustled
around, showed them to their room, and pointed out their private parlor.
"Dinner will be ready when you want it. Your washing water is on its... Ah,
here we are." A smiling maid carried in two large steaming ewers and
blushed as Nat thanked her.

Stomburn
supervised the way she set them down and then hustled her out. Nat grinned at
Cubby.

"On
you go, don't forget to wash behind your ears." He turned to his valet,
who had appeared, and suffered his coat and boots being removed. If he hadn't
known how upset Judd would have been, he'd have either left him behind or sent
him on ahead. However, he did have a way with boots.

Cubby
glared and dabbed water on his face.

"Either
wash properly, Cubby, or I'll dunk you naked under the pump in the yard."

Nat
chuckled at the agonized expression on Cubby's face and the groan that
accompanied the youth's actions as he washed and afterward suffered Nat combing
his hair.

"Perfect."
Nat finished his ablutions, dressed swiftly, and accompanied Cubby to the
parlor to watch Cubby tuck into several plates of food.

Nat
himself partook a lot less heartily. Eventually Cubby put his knife down and
grinned. "I'm fair stuffed."

"So
you should be. You've eaten enough for both of us once more." Nat took a
long swallow of ale and thought of what might greet him once he reached
Fenniston. Beside him Cubby wriggled. Nat looked at him. "What?"

"I
wanner go and check on th'horses." Cubby looked mulish. "Just to make
sure like." It was obvious he would go with or without Nat's blessing. Nat
chose to give it. Otherwise, he'd have to sleep with one eye open to check the
boy if he carried out his threat later.

"Off
you go, though, but then back to bed. You understand? When I come up, I expect
you to be asleep and not snoring."

"Yes,
m'lord."

Cubby
ran out of the room, and Nat returned his thoughts to the letter from his
factor. It had been vague enough not to worry anyone but Nat. Nevertheless,
reading between the lines, Nat knew Frost was concerned about smugglers, and
not just those who lived on or around the Fenniston and Birch estates.

Ah well, I can do nothing until I
get there.
Nat
finished off his ale and made his way upstairs.

Cubby
was tucked into the truckle bed in the corner of the room, and suspicious, non-snore-like
snores emitted from his small person. Nat grinned to himself and made ready for
bed. It had been a long day, and what with hoping Tessa would see reason and
let him court her, and wondering what smuggling troubles awaited him, he fell
into an uneasy sleep.

****

Why
was he shaking? He wasn't deep inside a woman? Those whispered words were not
the cooing of a woman in the throes of arousal. They were...

"Cubby?"
He opened his eyes to see Cubby's worried expression a few inches from his
face. He blinked and tried to get his mind into the present, not the past or
the future.

"Blimey,
guv, I thought you were three sheets or sommat. I was right. They's after Thunderer.
Come on quick." He shook Nat again. "I reckons we've only got a
minute. Ole Thunderer wasn't being cooperative like."

Nat
could well believe that. Thunderer was ornery at the best of times with
everyone except himself, and now it seemed, Cubby.

Nat
threw back the covers and thrust his feet into his boots. "Come on."
He left the room at a run with Cubby close behind.