Surrender to the Earl (13 page)

“No one is perfect,” she said, sighing as she sat down. “Least of all me. Just to prove how not-perfect I am, shall I tell you what happened yesterday?”

“What happened?” The amusement was gone from his voice.

“Do not over-worry. I started out the day surprisingly well. I met with Mr. Drayton, and we discussed the problems my tenants brought forth. We even discussed the finances, and my ability to hold a feast to celebrate a successful harvest and get to know everyone.”

“Will it be possible?”

“It will. I would have liked to invite the poor of the parish, but he says that would put too deep a strain on us this year. But maybe next.”

“And this is why you’re not perfect?” he asked, bemused.

“Oh, no, let me tell you about my next idea.” She put a finger to her lips, then rose, circled the desk and went to shut the door.

“Now who’s scandalous?” he asked.

“We’re engaged. Just listen.” She returned to her leather chair. “I decided it was time to get to know Mr. Sanford better. I seldom actually see him, and when I do, his voice sounds so gruff and . . . disapproving. I don’t need his approval, mind you, but I would like harmony in my home, and I thought if we had some time together . . .” She sighed. “It was a good idea, but not very successful. I decided to have Erebus saddled and take my first ride.”

“Without Molly or me?”

“You sound indignant, Robert. Why is that?”

“I wanted to be with you your first ride through your new estate. But I imagine you don’t want to hear that.”

“No.”

“So what happened?”

“Did you know the stable dog had puppies?”

“What does this have to do with Mr. Sanford?”

She smiled at the bewilderment in his voice. “Just be patient. So I had Francis guide me to the stables and leave me in the hands of his father—who was not happy to be saddled with me.”

“He is your employee,” Robert said tightly. “The fact that he shows such hostility toward you—”

“Is curious, don’t you think?” she interrupted. “It just doesn’t make sense. So I had him saddle Erebus, and he was going to lead me about, to exercise the horse, of course, but also so Erebus could begin to learn the grounds. He’s a very smart horse—did I tell you that?”

He sighed. “Finish the main story first.”

“So impatient!”

“Which is one of the reasons I kissed you.”

She didn’t want to be reminded, because the memory of it made her lose all rational thought. So she ignored him. “I didn’t see the dog, of course, and I’m assuming he didn’t either. But the dog is very wary guarding her pups, and when we got too close, she set up a vicious barking, startling poor Erebus. I guess I’d never realized my horse had never been around dogs, because he reared and I fell off.”

“You fell off?”

She could hear him getting to his feet and coming back around the desk. She held up a hand before he could get too near, although already her heart beat a little faster. “Stay back. I’m fine.”

“Well you didn’t wince when I held you,” he admitted.

“Stop reminding me of that improper moment!”

“I can’t help it. I’m just a man, Audrey.”

“So you keep saying. But I am not a siren who lures men, so there’s no cause—”

“You have not seen yourself,” he said softly. “You are quite beautiful.”

“My husband flattered me, too,” she said dryly. “And it was all to have his way.”

“I’m telling you the truth.”

“To have your way.”

He didn’t answer for a moment. “Truly, Audrey, you are unharmed? Nothing bruised?”

“Oh, I have bruises in places you will not be seeing.”

“Next to the mysterious freckles?”

She bit her lip to keep from laughing. She would not encourage him. “Mr. Sanford sounded just horrified after I fell. He hadn’t meant that to happen, of course. A suspicious person might think him lying, but . . . I don’t think he was.”

“You are not suspicious enough.”

“I have changed their lives and made the future uncertain for them. I will be patient. As for my poor horse, Erebus didn’t know what to do with himself. He kept nudging me with his nose. I think he was trying to apologize.”

“Or trying to get away from Sanford. Did the horse seem neglected?”

“Heavens, no. He was his usual temperament, though glad to see me, of course. Your horse has been in the stables every day. He is well, is he not?”

“He is, but I’m a visiting earl, not the unwished-for blind mistress. Promise me you’ll be careful, Audrey.”

“I will.”

“And next time wait for me.”

“Or Molly.”

“Oh very well. Were you going to ask me what I was doing yesterday?”

“Of course.”

He told her about visiting his tenants, and his plans for more cottages.

“That sounds wonderful, Robert!”

“But I missed having you with me.”

She ignored the serious tone of his voice. “And how would that have looked? Like you couldn’t be apart from your blind fiancée. I’d look helpless and you’d look weak.”

“You’re wrong, but let us agree to disagree. So what can I do to help you today?”

“I’d like to read through the household ledgers, without Mr. Drayton looking over our shoulders. If you would do me the honor of reading aloud, I can hear the expenditures of the estate in detail. I need to make certain we can continue to sustain ourselves, because, as you know, I bring no money myself, and all that’s left is what little is held in trust.”

“So where do I find these ledgers?”

“They should be here in the study—somewhere. But there are a lot of books. I imagine they’re near the desk . . .”

She listened as he began to search. “They were quite large and leather-bound when I looked at them with Mr. Drayton.”

After a few minutes, he said, “I don’t see them. Could he have taken them home?”

“He keeps his own copies, which he brings every time to make sure they match. I guess he could have taken our copy accidentally. But the books are so heavy, how could he not have known he carried two?”

But they didn’t find the ledgers, nor were they with Mrs. Sanford’s kitchen account book. Was this just another attempt to fluster her? Audrey couldn’t help thinking.

Francis appeared in the kitchen and intoned, “You have a visitor, Mrs. Blake.”

Audrey perked up—her first visitor, if one didn’t count Robert. Perhaps the vicar’s wife was making an appearance already.

“It is your sister, Miss Blythe Collins, and her lady’s maid.”

Audrey came to a complete stop just as she was beginning to cross the kitchen, and Robert ran into her from behind, catching her arms in case she stumbled forward.

“Your sister?” Robert asked in surprise. “Isn’t she supposed to be in London?”

“She was. I have no idea what is going on. I hope nothing is wrong.”

Chapter 13

A
s Robert followed Audrey into the entrance hall, he worried about how the arrival of her judgmental sister would affect her. In Rose Cottage, Audrey was the mistress, but her sister’s presence might bring back memories of the woman who was never even permitted to leave her home.

A young servant wearing a shawl and lace cap sat on a bench near the front door, and when she saw him, she blushed and looked at her fingers twined together.

“Shall Miss Collins’s maid go to the kitchen?” Robert asked Audrey.

Audrey paused and sent him a thankful smile over her shoulder. “Charlotte?”

The girl stood and bobbed a quick curtsy. “Aye, Mrs. Blake.”

“Lord Knightsbridge is correct. The housekeeper, Mrs. Sanford, will find you a room and show you about. The kitchen is back through this hall.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Charlotte said, and quickly left the room.

Audrey squared her shoulders and moved briskly into the drawing room, showing no hesitation. “Blythe?”

Robert paused in the doorway to take everything in. Miss Collins stood in the middle of the drawing room, wearing a bright green gown with a matching shaped jacket for warmth during travel, and a little hat perched on the top of her piled brunette curls. He thought she looked nervous upon first seeing Audrey, but when she caught sight of him, she gave that “confident-in-my-beauty” smile, and he found himself distrusting her motives before she even opened her mouth.

“Audrey, this is a lovely home,” she said politely, guardedly.

“I’m glad you came, Blythe.” Audrey reached out her hand, and Miss Collins took it. “Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to visit? I thought you were staying in London.”

Miss Collins shrugged, glancing at Robert again. “It’s not the Season yet, and so many people aren’t in Town. I made my rounds and then . . . I wanted to see the house you inherited. Rose Cottage is the name?”

Audrey smiled and nodded, as if she’d never had a problem with her sister. Robert suspected that Audrey would do anything to improve her relationship with Miss Collins. He felt a rise of anger on her behalf, that she would have to be so desperate for her family’s approval. But was that all it was? He had no family at all but distant cousins, and would give much to have the companionship and shared past of close kin. Perhaps Audrey wanted to preserve that, rather than take whatever abuse her sister handed out.

Robert would make certain that Miss Collins understood that he would not tolerate poor treatment of Audrey.

“Are you just stopping by,” Audrey began, “or might you visit for a while? You’d be my first overnight guest.”

Miss Collins glanced at Robert with speculation. “Lord Knightsbridge did not stay?”

What did the woman think they were doing, conducting an open affair? Not that Robert would have minded for himself, but he minded on Audrey’s behalf.

“My home is only eight miles away,” Robert said coolly. “It would be inappropriate for me to spend a night here, do you not think?”

Miss Collins’s eyes widened. “Oh, forgive me. Of course you’re right. But you’re
engaged
now, and I thought Audrey might wish for your help.”

“We do much together, it is true,” Audrey said, before Robert could answer. “He has been a good friend, especially since Molly’s illness has confined her to her room.”

“I’m sorry to hear about Molly’s illness, and hope she’s recovering, but
friend
?” Miss Collins said with interest.

“Shouldn’t those about to be married do well to be friends?” Robert asked dryly.

Audrey tilted her head toward him, and he already knew her particular warning look. She wanted to handle this, and she didn’t appreciate his interference.

Sometimes it was damned annoying to be involved with an independent woman. It made him not want to find his own wife.

But a lover, on the other hand . . .

“Please sit down, Blythe,” Audrey said warmly. “Robert, please ask Francis to bring a tea tray to stave off our hunger before luncheon.”

Robert stepped out the door and relayed the request to Francis, then returned. Audrey and Miss Collins were seated side by side on the sofa, so he took an upholstered chair across the low table from them.

“London was quite boring,” Miss Collins said, heaving a dramatic sigh.

As if Audrey had any idea what London was like, Robert thought angrily. This wasn’t going well already. It was amazing how the passing of just a few days made him even more defensive and irate on Audrey’s behalf.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Audrey murmured. “I know how much you usually enjoy it there.”

“Yes, well, it gave me such a good opportunity to see your inheritance. I know how excited you always were. Could it possibly have lived up to your expectations?” Miss Collins asked, her voice laced with doubt.

He admired Audrey’s forbearance more and more as she remained the gracious hostess.

“It has been more than I ever dreamed,” Audrey said quietly, hope evident in her shining expression. “I feel like this inheritance is Mr. Blake’s gift to me, an apology, the chance to start my new life.”

“But you won’t be here long,” Miss Collins pointed out. “Soon you’ll be the mistress of Knightsbridge Hall.”

Robert awaited her response to
that
one, lobbed as if from a mortar and targeted precisely.

“We haven’t set a wedding date yet,” Audrey said, without even a momentary hesitation. “And this will be one of our properties, as well, and my dower property, so I want to see it thriving.”

“Already planning for my death?” Robert asked with faint sarcasm.

To his surprise, it was Miss Collins who answered.

“Every woman must be prepared for that, my lord. Our father would never dream of allowing a marriage contract that did not grant Audrey protection in her elderly years.”

Surprised and bewildered, Audrey thought upon her sister’s words, even as a tea tray was set before her and she began to pour. It was true, her father wanted to make sure she was taken care of, and she’d always assumed it was because he wanted more property to control. But did he actually care about her future after he was gone? It was a novel concept.

“I do not need Father’s assistance in the contract,” Audrey said, holding out a cup and saucer to her sister, “since I am a widow who can retain her own lawyers. But I appreciate your sentiment, Blythe, and I agree with you.” To change the subject, she said, “Lord Knightsbridge tells me our engagement has become common knowledge in London.”

“Was it a secret?” Blythe asked.

Audrey could hear her surprise, and knew she had to tread carefully. She offered Robert his cup, then poured her own. “No, it was not. We were simply surprised he had received congratulations already.”

“I mentioned it at a dinner party,” she admitted. “People were taken aback that, so soon after returning to England, Lord Knightsbridge would commit himself.”

Audrey heard the suspicions Blythe didn’t bother to hide. Now that Blythe no longer thought she could win Robert for herself, she was not being as careful around him.

“Were they surprised you had a sister?” Robert asked coldly.

Audrey caught her breath. She tried to picture Blythe’s expression, but all she saw was the innocent little girl who’d once been her doll baby. “Robert—”

“No, Audrey,” Blythe interrupted. “He has the right to say that if he cares about you. Yes, my lord, my London friends have always known I have a blind sister. What was so surprising to them was that you would offer marriage, when you’d only just returned, and it was obvious you had not known her in your youth.”

Audrey’s cup rattled briefly in the saucer as she lifted it to her mouth. Was Blythe worried about her, rather than simply jealous? Audrey wasn’t such a fool as to forget the jealousy, but maybe her sister had more complicated emotions than she’d ever suspected. It gave her such a spark of hope that they could one day have a sisterly relationship, but she tamped it down, knowing it was too soon.

“Do you believe your sister unable to inspire my respect, admiration, and love?” Robert asked sharply.

“Perhaps you have other motives,” Blythe countered.

“Blythe, I have no great dowry or beauty, and I am blind,” Audrey said firmly. “I’m not sure there can be other suspicious motives. So let us put this argument behind us. Would you like a tour of my home before luncheon?”

“That would be lovely,” Blythe said stiffly.

As Audrey rose, she felt Robert touch her arm, and knew he was offering his guidance, but after their kiss and his open offer of a love affair, she was afraid she’d blush or stammer or forget herself, simply at his touch. So she concentrated on counting her steps, and touching the occasional piece of furniture as they moved from room to room, and prayed the servants had not left something out of place. More than once, Blythe fell into her old habit of constantly warning Audrey about anything in her vicinity, as if Audrey usually blundered over everything. Of course, she’d recently blundered over a coal bucket and fallen off Erebus, things she wasn’t about to mention . . .

But Blythe did ask interested questions throughout, and Audrey found herself relaxing. When Blythe was shown to her room to change before luncheon, Audrey left Robert in the study and went to look in on Molly.

When she tried to feel Molly’s forehead, she touched her shoulder instead. “Ah, you’re propped up a bit higher in bed today,” Audrey said, feeling even more relieved.

“It makes my head pound, but I want to be up and about as soon as I can.”

“So anxious for me to work you to the bone?” Audrey smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Anxious to see what your sister is up to.”

“News travels fast.”

“Francis came to tell me.”

“Did he now?” Audrey asked, amused.

“This isn’t a good thing, Miss Audrey,” Molly said, her voice serious. “Why is she here, when she never had much use for you before?”

“She said she wants to see my home.”

Molly made a dismissive sound.

“It’s a good thing I don’t hold you to a maid’s subservience,” Audrey said dryly. “But also . . . she seemed concerned about Lord Knightsbridge’s motives, as if she might be trying to put her jealousy aside.”

“You be careful, miss. Miss Blythe has only ever thought of herself, and didn’t care how she hurt you. I can’t believe that’d change so suddenly. I’ll talk to Charlotte and see what she knows.”

“Thank you for your concern, Molly, but since I’ve decided to take chances with life, this is one I can’t let pass. If my sister and I could have some sort of real relationship . . .” She let the words die as her throat tightened.

“You have a new relationship now, miss,” Molly said with kindness. “You’ll soon have a husband and family of your own.”

Audrey barely withheld her own dismissive sound.

L
uncheon was strained, Audrey thought, and it was crazy that both Robert and Blythe found themselves angry on her behalf. It was all such a new experience for her. She didn’t know how to handle it, except to charge forward as if it didn’t bother her. She talked about her tenants, and asked both Blythe’s and Robert’s opinions of having a meal for them.

It wasn’t until they were served custard for dessert that Robert gave a sigh and said, “I’ve held my tongue throughout, because I know you like to handle things yourself, Audrey. But Miss Collins is being a good sport about the fact that Francis didn’t see fit to give her any forks, even when she subtly reminded him.”

Hot with embarrassment, Audrey turned toward her sister. “Why wouldn’t you tell me this?”

“I didn’t think it very important. The poor young man was obviously nervous about serving an earl.”

“He’s been serving me for days,” Robert said dryly. “I think he was nervous for another reason, one which Audrey wishes to handle on her own.”

“What is going on?” Blythe demanded.

Audrey took a moment, still rather shocked that her sister hadn’t complained—loudly—about the servants’ neglect. “I . . . don’t really know. The servants seem to have a reason to wish me gone, and are doing little things to annoy me.”

“Such servants deserve to be let go,” Robert said.

“But it doesn’t make sense,” Audrey insisted. “They’re a family—it would be terrible if all of them were asked to leave. They could very well starve.”

“Unless they’ve been hiding money away all these years,” Robert pointed out.

“I can’t believe that. What money? The land agent has shown us every penny spent—”

“And now the ledgers are missing.”

“This cannot be a conspiracy,” Blythe said.

Her voice was full of an amusement that didn’t quite ring true, Audrey thought.

“And why do you say that?” Audrey asked.

“You’ve introduced me to them. With my own eyes I could see their helplessness. Maybe they’re
afraid
you’re going to let them go, and are making mistakes because of it.”

“Just because I’m blind doesn’t mean I can’t understand that something is wrong. I won’t let such behavior continue in my own household. But your reason has merit.”

“Well, it is your decision, of course,” Blythe murmured.

Was her sister backing down from an argument? What was wrong with the world?

“Do you have plans this afternoon?” Blythe asked.

It took Audrey a moment to leave her concerns temporarily behind. “Nothing that cannot wait.”

“I would like to see your gardens. You know how I adore arranging flowers.”

You do?
Audrey almost said, and stopped herself. It was a feminine pastime, and perhaps Blythe was still playing up to Robert.

“I’ll leave you ladies to the gardens,” Robert said. “I have ledgers to look for.”

When he had left them, Audrey took her sister’s arm to go outside. She did not remember the last time she’d had to do so. She’d known her way so well around their childhood home.

And as if Blythe were thinking the same thing, she said, “And where is your ever-present Molly?”

“She came down with a terrible fever several days ago.”

Blythe’s arm tensed within Audrey’s. “You had mentioned her illness, but I hadn’t realized it was serious.”