He was still thinking about his disastrous visit to Crenshaw Manor. Where had the Lady Williams gone? She’d made no mention of planning to be away when she was at the Fleming house party, which made him wonder if her trip was a last-minute decision. The more he thought about his ill-fated visit to her home, the more he realized how arrogant he’d been to arrive at her doorstep and expect her to be there without sending a note ahead. Just because she hadn’t mentioned any upcoming trips didn’t mean she hadn’t planned one. But wouldn’t she have mentioned something about a trip in her note to him the morning she left? She’d specifically said she was looking forward to seeing him again.
Had he waited too long?
Lost his chance with the lovely woman?
He slowed Midnight, and they took a long leisurely ride around the estate. When he returned to the stables, he still had enough time to take a bath before teatime.
“How was your ride, Mr. Hughes?” the stablemaster asked.
“Excellent. Be sure to give Midnight some extra oats tonight.”
“Of course, sir.”
Noah made his way around the house, and Carlton opened the front door before he had reached the top step.
“Welcome back, Mr. Hughes,” he said. “I trust you had a pleasant ride.”
“Indeed I did, thank you. However, I’d prefer not to smell like a horse at tea,” Noah said. He was beginning to miss his valet and wondered if he should send for him.
“Of course, sir. I’ll arrange for a bath immediately.”
Noah went up the stairs and down the hall to his bedchamber. His thoughts were all in a jumble. He’d come to Fleming Manor with Miles because it was close to Crenshaw Manor, where he’d hoped to see Lady Williams again. Now that he knew she wasn’t in residence, there didn’t seem to be any compelling reason for him to stay. He’d tell his host that he’d be leaving in the next day or two and send a note to Searle to meet him at Harrison Manor in Oxfordshire.
He wanted to see his uncle, Viscount Harrison, and his cousin, Aiden. His cousin was younger than him at two and twenty, and Noah loved his brilliant mind. He enjoyed the young man’s company immensely and the rousing conversations they always had. Aiden was coming to stay with him in London next Season, and Noah was looking forward to it. Although Aiden had been to London before, it’d always been in the company of his father. Now that Aiden had finished his schooling, Noah had convinced his Uncle Charles that his son needed to enjoy the bachelor life for a while before he thought about seeking a wife. After many discussions, Charles had reluctantly agreed. Aiden had been delighted at the news.
It would be good to see them again. He’d not seen them since Christmastide, and he missed the only family he had left. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. “Come.”
Several footmen came into his room carrying buckets of steaming water and a large tub. When the tub was full, Noah discarded his riding clothes and sank down into the soothing water, taking a leisurely bath before dressing.
He was making his way to the parlor for tea when he saw Miles and Miss Bent. “Good evening.”
“Mr. Hughes, did you enjoy your ride today?” Miss Bent asked.
“I did indeed. Your father’s estate is quite spectacular,” Noah said.
“Yes, it is. Perhaps the three of us could go riding together?” She turned toward Miles. “Would you be agreeable to that, Mr. Walker?”
“Of course, that would be delightful.”
Noah noticed again that Miles was quite taken with Miss Bent. Had he finally found a woman who could tempt him out of bachelorhood? That would be an interesting turn of events. The three of them walked down the hall and entered the family parlor to find Lord and Lady Fleming already seated on the sofa. “There you all are,” Fleming said. “I was beginning to think we’d been abandoned.”
Miss Bent chucked. “Oh, Papa. Mr. Walker and I merely walked to the village earlier,” she said, kissing her father’s cheek.
“Find anything of note?”
“I did indeed,” Miss Bent said. “The astronomy book I ordered finally arrived from London, and Mr. Walker was kind enough to accompany me to pick it up.”
“That was indeed kind of you, Mr. Walker,” Lady Fleming said.
“It was my pleasure, Lady Fleming,” Miles said.
A maid entered the room and set out tea on the low table. “Shall I pour, Lady Fleming?”
“No, that will be all, Kate.”
The maid curtseyed and exited the room.
“Darling, will you pour?” Lady Fleming asked her daughter.
