Regency Romance Collection From Christina Courtenay (22 page)

‘The boy is fine, ma’am. And the horse will be too, don’t fret.’

Lexie looked up at last to find that Rupert’s rescuer was none other than Synley. She gasped, although a part of her had known it instinctively. ‘You,’ she whispered, then lowered her gaze, wishing she’d kept her mouth shut.

‘Have we met?’ he enquired and she heard puzzlement in his voice.

‘Er, no. No, I’m sorry. I mistook you for someone else.’ The lie tripped off her tongue without hesitation and she took a deep breath to compose herself. It wasn’t easy, because seeing him at such close quarters was even more of a shock to the system. He was every bit as handsome and formidable as he’d been four years ago, his black hair glinting in the sun and those intensely blue eyes of his fixed on her with a slight frown. And the attraction she’d felt for him back then hadn’t abated one bit. If anything, it was even stronger now.

Lexie had to gather every scrap of determination she possessed in order to address him in a normal voice. ‘Thank you so much for coming to our rescue. Rupert’s horse was startled by a pheasant and I’m afraid I wasn’t fast enough to stop him. I do believe you may have saved his life and we owe you a debt of gratitude.’

Rupert, who had by now rallied somewhat, looked up at the man who was holding him. ‘Yes, thank you, sir. That was quite ... frightening.’

Synley smiled at the boy and ruffled his hair. ‘You’re welcome. You did well to hold on for as long as you did. I’m not sure I could have done so.’

Lexie sent him a grateful glance. It was very kind of him to praise Rupert’s efforts and that would no doubt go a long way towards making the child feel better about what had happened. She was sure he must be badly shaken.

‘Do you think so, sir?’ Rupert asked, his little face shining now.

‘Indeed I do. Shall we go and catch your wayward horse and show him who’s master again?’

‘I ...’ Rupert hesitated, clearly not sure that he wanted to ride any more that day.

‘You know what they say,’ Synley added with another smile, ‘if you take a tumble you have to get right back on again or you’ll never manage it. Now you didn’t fall, but nevertheless you’ve had a fright and if you don’t master your horse immediately, he’ll think he’s won. We can’t have that, now can we?’

Rupert shook his head. ‘No, we can’t.’

Synley set off towards the other side of the field where Jefferson stood munching on grass, as docile as he normally was. They had no trouble catching hold of his bridle and soon Rupert was back in his own saddle. Lexie followed.

‘There, how does that feel?’ Synley asked the boy. ‘Are you in control?’

‘Yes, sir, I most certainly am. He won’t be running off again today.’

‘Excellent, that’s the spirit. Well, I’d best be on my way then.’ He tipped his hat to them and gathered his reins in one hand.

‘Wait, please.’ Lexie held up a hand to stop him. ‘You must let us thank you properly for your assistance. Won’t you come back to the house for some luncheon perhaps? I’m sure Rupert’s parents will want to thank you as well.’

He looked at her for a moment, as if he was in two minds, but then he shook his head. ‘I’m afraid I shall have to decline. I have pressing matters to attend to. One of my tenant farmers has had an accident and I need to check how badly he is hurt. I may need to arrange for someone to help him out for a while.’ He hesitated, then added, ‘But perhaps we could meet up here tomorrow morning and ride together? I would welcome some company for a change. That would be thanks enough.’

‘Yes, of course, if that is your wish.’

‘Would ten o’clock suit you?’

Lexie nodded. ‘Perfectly.’

‘Excellent, I’ll see you tomorrow then. Goodbye.’

He wheeled his horse around and set off. Lexie stared after him for some time, unable to believe that she had actually spoken to him again, then shook herself mentally and focused on Rupert. ‘Are you really all right? Would you rather we walk for a while?’

Rupert squared his shoulders. ‘No, I’m fine. The man said I was in charge, and I am.’

Lexie blessed Synley for his words. She was sure that without him, matters would have turned out very differently.

CHAPTER THREE

Synley found the tenant farmer, Loughton, despondent due to the fact he’d broken his leg, but he cheered up once Synley assured him he would pay for someone to come and look after his farm until he was on the mend.

‘That’s mighty kind of you, your lordship. I’m much obliged to you. I did wonder as how I’d manage, and me with six mouths to feed and all ...’

‘Don’t concern yourself, Loughton, I will find someone reliable to help you as soon as possible. Can your wife and eldest son hold the fort until then?’

‘Indeed they can. Young Matt is ten now and strong for his age. As long as it’s only for a short while.’

‘It will be, don’t worry.’

‘Well, thank you kindly, my lord, thank you. I don’t mind telling you it’s a weight off my mind.’

That settled, Synley headed for home. He rode without really seeing the landscape around him. Instead, images of the young lady he’d just met kept teasing at his memory until at last, startling his horse, he exclaimed out loud, ‘Of course!’

He knew now where he’d seen her before.

At one of the interminable balls of the last London season he’d participated in, he had wandered off in search of some solitude, tired of the boring crowd of people. Instead, he had found the young woman hiding in their host’s orangery behind a collection of large pot plants. He’d been slightly foxed at the time – well, three sheets to the wind more like as he’d been drowning his sorrows – but he still remembered the encounter vividly.

‘What on earth are you doing out here?’ Synley asked, upon catching sight of her sitting on a small bench. If he hadn’t stumbled on a pot shard and ended up looking straight at her, he doubted he’d even have noticed her, she was so still in the moonlight.

‘Shh, please, I beg of you, don’t give me away,’ she replied, her lovely eyes huge and beseeching. ‘I cannot bear to go back in there just yet. It is tedious beyond belief.’

Without asking, he sat down next to her and studied her more closely, liking what he saw. There was no doubt about it, she was an ‘incomparable’, or a true ‘diamond of the first water’ as his friends would say. Or she would have been, had she worn a more becoming dress. The row upon row of ruffles that adorned her hid what his
connoisseur’
s eye recognised as a very fine figure. Her eyes, at close quarters, seemed to be a clear turquoise, her nose was small and delicately pointed and she had a mouth that he felt sure any man would be tempted to kiss.

He did so.

It was an outrageous thing to do, of course, and he expected to be slapped or worse, have her scream the place down, but she did no such thing. Instead, she blinked at him a few times, then leaned forward inviting him to continue. He was so stunned, he kissed her again. And again. After a while, she began to kiss him back and he taught her without words how it should be done, properly, deeply. She learned fast.

Finally, some semblance of sense reared up inside him and made him pull back. He dragged in a ragged breath and swore quietly. ‘Devil take it ... what’s your name?’

‘Lexie.’ She was staring at him with eyes that were intoxicated with desire and he looked away, shocked by the reciprocating sensations swirling around inside him.

‘Well, Lexie, this won’t do. Really it won’t.’

She sighed. ‘I know. I’d better leave before Mama comes to find me.’ She fiddled with the strings to her reticule. ‘I apologise for my behaviour.’

He laughed, then shook his head. ‘
You
have nothing to apologise for. It is I who should beg your pardon. That was unforgiveable of me. I’m sorry.’

‘Are you?’ she asked, an enigmatic look in her eyes now. ‘Well, I’m not. Good evening to you, my lord.’

And then she stood up and left, her head held high and her steps almost without faltering. A small, tell-tale stumble was the only sign of her agitation, but he noticed it and wanted to run after her. He wished that he could take her back into his arms and assure her that he wasn’t sorry at all, quite the opposite, but then he remembered that he was no longer a free man.

His betrothed was waiting in the ballroom and he had no right to dally with anyone else. He didn’t regret his bargain with Catherine, not really, but there were times when he wondered if he was doing the right thing. That night was one of them, but deep down, he knew he’d made the only choice he could in the circumstances. It was the only way he could save his estate and all the people who depended upon him.

That was four years ago and he was a free man again, but what respectable female would want him now, after all the gossip and rumours about him? And no one would believe him even if he tried to explain why he’d done it.

He shook his head. The lovely Lexie wasn’t for him and nor was anyone else.

He was waiting for them at the edge of the forest the following day and Lexie tried her best to school her features into some semblance of a normal expression. She couldn’t possibly let on that he affected her in any way. He would think her very foolish indeed, she thought.

‘Good morning, ma’am, Rupert.’ He rose in the saddle and bowed to them and Rupert copied him while Lexie inclined her head. ‘I’m afraid I was very remiss yesterday in not introducing myself. I’m Jacob Brooke, Lord Synley, at your service. You can just call me Synley, young man,’ he added to Rupert. ‘That is what my friends do.’

Rupert grinned, obviously pleased to be included among this man’s friends. ‘I’m Rupert Hawthorne and this here is my aunt Lexie.’ Lexie cleared her throat and sent him a meaningful glance. ‘I mean, Miss Holloway,’ he amended.

‘Pleased to make your acquaintance. Now where do you wish to ride today?’

‘Let’s try some of the other paths,’ Rupert said and set off eagerly. It was obvious that he had already forgotten the fright of the previous day’s ride and Lexie was relieved about that. He had also refrained from making too much of the incident when he told his mother about it, which was probably just as well or Margaret would have forbidden their rides altogether.

‘Very well.’ Synley smiled at Lexie. ‘We’d better follow him.’

‘Yes. He is a very determined young man.’

They rode side by side in companionable silence for a while, enjoying the birdsong, the gentle breeze and the sight of the trees bursting forth in their spring greenery. Lexie decided then and there that no employer, however kind, would ever entice her away from England again. It was too beautiful.

‘A penny for your thoughts,’ Synley murmured.

Lexie glanced at him and then wished she hadn’t. His gaze was intense, as if he was trying to fathom the workings of her mind. She very much hoped he hadn’t discerned any of her true feelings. She attempted a bright smile. ‘I was just thinking how lovely it is here in England in springtime. Nothing will make me leave it again for any length of time.’

His eyebrows rose. ‘Have you been abroad then, Miss Holloway?’

‘Yes, I’ve spent the last three years in Italy, near Naples to be precise, with the late Lady Belvedere. I was her companion. I did enjoy my time there, but I must admit I found the constant heat a bit wearing. I much prefer the cold.’

‘That’s understandable. I have travelled in Italy myself, and couldn’t agree more.
Lei parla italiano?
’

‘
Naturalmente
.’ She continued in Italian. ‘My pronunciation is no doubt atrocious to a native, but I made myself understood without too much difficulty.’

He laughed. ‘I’m sure your Italian is as perfect as the rest of you, Miss Holloway.’

Lexie felt herself blush and reverted to stammering in English. ‘I ... thank you. You are too kind.’

She decided to change the subject, not comfortable with receiving compliments.

‘So does your estate abut my brother-in-law’s? Hawthorne Manor, I mean?’

‘Yes, the part I acquired through my late wife. This forest is on Downes land and if you were to continue in this direction for another mile or so you would come to the main residence, Downes House. My ancestral estate, Synley Priory, is another few miles further east.’

He didn’t seem to find this a painful subject, so Lexie dared to ask another question. ‘And do you reside in both houses, my lord?’

He laughed, making a dimple appear in one cheek. It changed his whole demeanour from its habitual sternness and made him appear even more handsome than before, if that was possible. Lexie had to tear her gaze away from this fascinating sight. ‘No, Miss Holloway, I am but one man and I think it would be a little excessive to keep two residences so close to each other, don’t you? I live at the Priory and usually let Downes House out, although at present it is without a tenant. That’s why I have been overseeing things here lately, riding the grounds to check fencing and so on.’

‘So you have the double burden of two estates,’ Lexie commented.

‘I don’t see it as a burden, but a privilege. And I enjoy watching my tenants thrive. If they are happy, then so am I because we all profit from good harvests and growing herds of livestock.’

For some reason Lexie was pleased to hear that he cared about the land he had acquired in such an unorthodox manner and the people who farmed it for him. It seemed to show that he took his duties as owner seriously and also that he had respect for his late wife.

‘And you, Miss Holloway, where will you live now that you are back in England? Are you making your home with Sir George and Lady Hawthorne?’

‘God forbid,’ Lexie said without thinking, then felt her cheeks heat up. ‘I mean, not that there is anything wrong with ... that is to say, I’m sure it would be a lovely place to live, but I wish to make my own way in the world and not be beholden to anyone.’

He quirked an eyebrow at her. ‘What you are trying to put politely, is that you don’t wish to be used as a drudge, is that it?’

She couldn’t help but smile at his perspicacity. ‘Something like that, yes. At least not without being paid for my trouble.’

‘But since you’re here anyway, they are making full use of your services.’ He nodded in the direction of Rupert, who was still riding ahead of them, lost in thought for the moment.

‘Yes,’ she admitted. ‘I am Rupert’s unofficial governess for the next few weeks.’ She shrugged. ‘I don’t mind really. He’s a delightful boy and it’s my opinion he just needs a firmer hand and someone to take an interest in him. I fear my sister’s ideas of child-rearing and mine do not quite tally. I believe he ought to have a kind, but strong-minded tutor, but my sister won’t have it. She will insist on trying to engage useless governesses for him. He’s too spirited for that and they can never keep up.’

His dimple appeared once more. ‘If it’s any consolation, I think I’m firmly on your side. I hope you succeed in persuading Lady Hawthorne that you are right. I admired my own tutor immensely as a boy and owe him a debt of gratitude. He was a wonderful teacher, but didn’t put up with any nonsense.’

‘If only I could find someone like that for Rupert.’ Lexie sighed.

‘Perhaps I can help? I’ll let you know if I hear of anyone.’

‘Thank you, that would be very kind of you.’

They reverted to less personal topics, such as the recent weather and sights they had both seen in Italy and the time passed quickly. Before she knew it, they had arrived back at Hawthorne Manor and Synley took off his hat to say goodbye.

‘I have enjoyed our ride, Miss Holloway, Rupert.’ He smiled at the boy. ‘Perhaps we can do it again soon?’

‘Of course. Please join us any time you are free, my lord,’ Lexie replied. ‘Rupert and I have agreed to go riding every morning before lessons, so you should have no trouble finding us.’

‘Oh, but won’t you come and watch me practise shooting before you go, Synley? Please? Aunt Lexie bought me the most capital rifle and I’m making great progress already, aren’t I?’

‘Well, I ...’ Synley hesitated.

‘Really, Rupert, I’m sure his lordship has important estate matters to attend to,’ Lexie put in. She felt they had already taken up too much of Synley’s time as it was and she was sure he could have no interest in a little boy’s shooting prowess.

‘Should you not ask your father to watch?’ Synley said.

Rupert shook his head. ‘Already did, but he’s busy.’ He looked a bit crest-fallen and Lexie felt for him. George never seemed to spend any time with his son and she couldn’t understand it, but then her brother-in-law seldom rose before noon and usually with a sore head and an even worse temper.

‘Very well then, let’s see what you can do. But I can’t stay long, mind,’ Synley surprised her by saying. Her eyes flew to his.

‘Are you sure, my lord? Perhaps another day?’

‘No, my other plans can wait half an hour.’ He smiled at Rupert whose face had lit up at his words. ‘Where do you practise?’

‘Over in the field behind the stables. I’ll fetch my rifle.’

They tethered their horses at the edge of the field and Rupert ran off as quickly as his little legs would allow. Lexie walked over to a tree some thirty yards away to set up the target, a figure made out of straw with a white apron tied round his middle. On the apron they had painted concentric circles and Rupert’s task was to hit the middle one. When she returned to Synley, Rupert was already back with his rifle and ammunition.