Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Ann

A fter two days of travel where Oscar and I said little to each other, I'm relieved to step out of the carriage in Exeter. It's market day and bustling with activity. Honoria and I walk around smelling flowers and admiring the fruits and vegetables.

Oscar said he had to meet someone and would be only an hour. His house is only ten miles from town and I'll be grateful to be out of the carriage for a good while.

"It's nice to stretch our legs," I say.

"Indeed. I've always liked Devonshire. I wonder if we might go to Plymouth. I've not been in years and I do so love the sea." Honoria smiles and turns her face up to the sun.

"It's only a day's ride, I'm sure we can manage a trip."

We stroll on and Honoria buys some sweets and a bottle of something, which she seems very pleased about. "For my health," she says, patting the sack.

"As long as it's for you and not me, I don't mind. I'm never drinking spirits with you again." I can't help laughing at her look of indignation.

She huffs. "You are a grown woman. You could have halted at any time."

"I cannot argue with that. The blame was my own and I paid the price the next morning." Remembering how sweet Oscar was and how he arranged for the cook to help me makes those butterflies active in my belly and my cheeks heat.

Honoria points across the square. "There is his lordship now."

A very determined Oscar Stafford frowns as he strides toward us. "Shall we continue our journey, ladies?"

"Is everything all right, my lord?" I ask as he escorts us back to the carriage.

His expression softens, and he lets out a long breath. "I checked with the magistrate to see if Mr. Bellston remained in this area so that I could confront him, but he has moved on. It seems he made off with some city funds."

"Oh dear." I step into the carriage. Once he's across from Honoria and me, I ask, "Did you tell him about your troubles?"

"I felt I had to." His brow is drawn in and his jaw ticks while he rings his hands.

Leaning forward, I put my hand over his. "You did the right thing." Realizing we are not alone, I pull away and avoid looking at Honoria.

Leaving town behind, the countryside is beautiful.

Maybe a change of subject would lighten the mood. "Lady Honoria has made a request that at some point we journey to Plymouth."

"Of course. Perhaps in a week or so. Have you friends there, my lady?" Oscar remains stoic, but the anger has left his eyes .

She shrugs. "I did have some friends there. I'll write and see if they're still in the area."

The first glimpse of Kensfield Manor takes my breath away. It's a sprawling house with three stories and the sun gleaming off the windows. A lake reflects the house and sky, making it even more magical. At the center of the golden stone building is a wide entry with six stairs leading to a magnificent arched double door. A dozen servants stand at the bottom of the steps awaiting our arrival. At the door, a butler with black hair, a straight back, and a stern look, stands with his hands behind his back.

Oscar leans toward me. "What do you think, Ann?"

"It's beautiful." I'm breathless.

Honoria clears her throat. "A fine property, my lord. I'm surprised you prefer the house in Scotland when you have such a home."

He's saved from answering by the carriage stopping and a footman opening the door.

Oscar steps down and waits to hand each of us out of the carriage. "Ladies, welcome to Kensfield Manor. I've not been here in years, but it is the property that pays the bills. Let's hope it's in better shape than the London house was."

The staff is bright and happy to see us. Footmen run to help the second carriage that carries Honoria's maid and Oscar's valet along with all the luggage.

At the top the stairs, Oscar shakes the butler's hand. "Hodgins, it's good to see you."

"Welcome home, my lord. The house is ready for guests." He bows to Honoria and me.

"Hodgins took over for his father as butler here about twenty years ago. Allow me to introduce Lady Honoria Chervil and Miss Ann Wittman. Miss Wittman is going to sort out the damage done by Bellston." Oscar's grimace is back .

"Very good. Mrs. Dunning will show the ladies to their rooms and there's a small meal ready whenever you've settled in. You must be tired after such a long journey." Hodgins is the perfect butler. Serious yet concerned.

I like him immediately. "Thank you, Hodgins. You've thought of everything."

A hint of a smile pulls at the butler's tight lips. "It is my honor to serve you, Miss."

Mrs. Dunning is a tall, robust woman with the keys to the house jangling at her waist. She smiles brightly. "I hope you will both like the rooms we arranged. If you need anything at all, pull the cord and someone will come to help. Will the miss be needing a lady's maid during her stay?"

It's not an unusual question. I've been asked as well as chastised for not having one. It's too much like my old life. "No thank you. My clothes are made to be donned by me alone. However, should I need help, I'll ring."

Once in my lovely room with pale-blue damask walls and matching drapes, I look out the window at the garden and the stable beyond. It's lovely here. My parents live about twenty miles in that direction.

A knock on my open door breaks me away from my thoughts.

Oscar stands just outside the doorway. "Is this to your liking, Ann? There are many other rooms if you don't care for this one."

I cross to him. "This one is very nice."

"You look as if something is wrong. In fact, I sensed through the entire journey that you were not yourself."

I could lie and say there is nothing wrong and he's mistaken. But his expression is so sincere and kind, I can't bear to lie. "My father's home is not far from here and to avoid him, I have rarely entered the county. However, I must be here and I will do all that I can to help you, my lord."

Slowly, he crosses the threshold and stands inches from me. "My name is Oscar. I am sorry that this trip has made you uncomfortable."

My discomfort is immeasurable with him so close, but not unpleasant. My body responds to our proximity in ways only Oscar elicits, as all my blood goes south and I have to squeeze my thighs together. "Oscar, Lady Chervil is just next door. Perhaps you shouldn't be in here."

His lips quirk into a half smile. "Will you come downstairs for something to eat?"

I nod. "I would like to rest for a few minutes first."

Bowing, he backs away. "Take all the time you need."

Once he is gone, I miss him. I'm such a fool.

Oscar

Having Ann at Kensfield makes the place so much more tolerable. So much so that I can't quite remember what I disliked about the estate. I spent most of my youth in these ornate rooms and halls. Yet, the first time I was allowed to go to Scotland with my father, I decided that Bielddubh was where I would settle when the title came to me.

The name of the Scottish hunting lodge means black shelter and it fits perfectly. Large and dark, it has been the perfect place to see and commune with the natural world.

Yet as I stand at the library window, looking out on the gardens and grounds beyond Kensfiled, there is much to like .

"How did he manage this?" Ann asks from my father's desk.

I suppose it's my desk now, but it's hard to think of the behemoth as mine. Dark wood that stretches eight feet wide. Ann looks confident in my father's chair, just as she did in London. Perhaps she fits no matter where she is. "Have you found something?"

Shaking her head, she studies the ledger. "I don't know. Yes. Maybe. I found an entry for the farmer's seed."

"That's not unusual. I always supply the seed for my leased farms. It gives the families a little boost." It seems a small thing. My father did the same. I know it's not conventional, but why does Ann look as if it's broken the bank?

"The issue is that I don't see the receipt for buying the seed, Oscar. I've looked through everything a dozen times. I'm missing several other receipts as well."

I stand behind her and look at the ledger. Her hair and skin are scented with roses and the warmth fills me. "What other entries are you looking at?"

She points to a column. "Here are several entries for items purchased for a Lady Day celebration."

"I know it's an old tradition that no one follows these days, but it's been part of Kensfield for generations." The amounts for food and drink do seem a bit high, but it all goes to the community.

"There are no receipts for any of those expenses." She runs her fingers down another line. "And this list of people who were given Christmas hams, I don't see the corresponding bill from the pig farmer or butcher." She turns her neck to look up at me and that brings her lips so close, it's maddening. "Will you call Hodgins?"

If I don't step away, I'm going to kiss her in broad daylight with the library doors wide open for anyone to see. I step back and pull the cord.

A minute later, Hodgins walks in. "My lord, how may I be of service?"

"Miss Wittman and I are wondering about the Christmas hams from last year. Who supplied them?" I have a knot in my gut.

For the first time in all the years I've known the butler, he looks shocked. Wide-eyed, his mouth opens and closes twice before he speaks. "The hams were canceled, my lord."

My heart sinks. "By whom?"

He blinks back at me. "By you, my lord."

It takes everything within me to keep my temper. If I think too hard about the families who went without a ham last holiday, I'll show a side of myself that I do not like. "And the Lady Day celebration?"

Hodgins dark eyes grow even wider, and he shifts his weight from foot to foot. "It too was canceled. Sir, I received a letter from you on both occasions explaining that there were some cutbacks." He looks from me to Ann, then back at me. Turning, he closes the library door and steps close to the desk. "From the expression on your faces, I'm guessing the letters were not from you. Does this have something to do with the departure of Mr. Bellston?"

The secret keeping has to stop. I can see that now. "I'm afraid, Bellston and several of the staff he hired in London made free to take what they liked. I didn't know about the hams or the celebration, Hodgins. The fault is with me, as I should have taken more care."

Ann clears her throat. "Mr. Hodgins, would you know if the annual seed allotment was delivered to the farmers in the spring? "

Shifting uncomfortably, Hodgins shakes his head. "It was quite an uproar at the time. I am sorry, my lord."

"Thank you, Hodgins. Will you have my horse brought around? It seems I have some overdue apologies to make." I don't know how I'm going to fix this, but I will.

With a nod, the butler exits and I swear I saw a hop in his step that I'd not seen before.

Ann touches my hand. "It's not really as bad for you as it might have been. I think he only took the money from those items. Perhaps you might compensate the farmers by reducing payment by what they had to put out for seed."

It's a good start. "I can't make up for a ruined Christmas dinner."

"No." She sighs. "But perhaps we could throw a nice party for the community. The weather has been very fine. We could make it a picnic with food and pony rides for the children." Her cheeks pinken and her eyes light up.

"That's a fine idea, Ann. Would you help me plan it?" Unable to resist, I run my fingers along her jaw and press my lips to hers.

She opens for me and when her tongue meets mine, I pull her into my arms and deepen the kiss.

Voices in the hallway are like a bucket of cold water, and I pull back. "Much more of that and it will be difficult to ride a horse."

Her giggle is infectious. "I will be happy to help you, Oscar."

I know she's talking about a picnic, but my heart and body consider what else she might mean.