Tabitha passed it back to Sir Peter while Lily read the brief contents of her own letter with a wry smile.She handed it to Tabitha.“Portia is unwell and is asking for me,” she said.
“I am very sorry to hear that,” Sir Peter said sincerely.“And to lose you from the party.Can you wait until tomorrow?If you set off early enough you should be able to make the journey in one day.Will you go with her, Lady Sark?”
“That does not appear to be Ralph’s plan,” Tabitha said slowly, having read Ralph’s stark commands.“In fact, he is coming here to fetch Lily.”
“Oh, clever,” Lily breathed.“Then you may more easily be left behind with perfect propriety.Only he doesn’t know—”
“Well, we shall discover more when he arrives,” Tabitha interrupted.“Though poor Louisa may find herself with another imposing guest.Perhaps he will put up at the village inn.”
“We wouldn’t hear of it,” Sir Peter said hospitably.“Ah, good morning, your grace.”
Tabitha looked up too quickly.Jack, once more in immaculate morning clothes, bowed to his host and to the room in general.Her heart was skittering like an impressionable schoolgirl’s.The memory of his devastating kisses was so vivid in her mind that her body heated.
Fortunately, a distraction was provided by the riding party setting off with the rest of the company’s good wishes, and in time, the duke came and sat on Sir Peter’s other side.He had a modest plateful of smoked fish, egg, and a slice of toast.The servant poured him coffee and retreated to his post.
“What would you like to do today?”Sir Peter asked.“Louisa thought a restful day might be in order since we have the ball tomorrow, but of course you are not tied to the house.I’m not sure I have any more riding horses available today, but there are many pleasant walks, and a carriage ride to the seaside is not impossible if it takes your fancy.”
“I don’t know,” Lily said doubtfully.“Should we wait around the house in case Ralph arrives?”
Jack’s knife and fork stilled.He glanced up.
“His lordship is on his way to fetch Lily home,” Tabitha exclaimed.“Apparently the countess is ill and asking for her.”
Jack looked thoughtful.
“We don’t even know if it will be today,” Sir Peter said, “so I should do exactly as you wish.”He rose and bowed.“If you will excuse me, I shall take my wife’s letters to her.I’m sure she will be down shortly if you need anything.”
“What a bore he is,” Lily said.No one thought she meant Sir Peter.
“On the contrary,” Tabitha drawled.“It will be most entertaining to see how he suddenly decides Portia’s illness is of no consequence so that he might stay here and engineer your engagement to his grace.”
Lily laughed, but Jack’s attention was fixed elsewhere.He lifted the newspaper that Sir Peter had clearly cast aside in favour of the post.
“What?”Tabitha asked.
“Word is out,” Jack said.“There is another claimant to the earldom of Sark.”He lifted his gaze to Tabitha’s.“A Mr.Hunter Lisle.From Canada.”
***
TABITHA WAS ABLE TOcast off her unease about Ralph’s arrival with surprisingly little difficulty.On Jack’s invitation, they decided to take a walk around the countryside and enjoy luncheon at the village inn.Lieutenant Meade elected to join them, so in spite of everything, the day promised to be very pleasant.
Indeed, it was everything she could have hoped for and more.The weather was fine, with a light breeze to cool the warm sunshine, and the countryside very pretty.They strolled through wooded paths and along the bank of the nearby river, sometimes talking easily in a group, at others breaking into pairs.Although Lieutenant Meade’s healing injury did not appear to trouble him, he provided the excuse for a slow pace and frequent halts.
It was all very relaxed and friendly, with, for Tabitha, the occasional thrill of Jack’s hand grasping hers to help her over rough ground, or simply the sound of his voice, his very presence.The sense of humour that she had glimpsed before was more prominent today, subtle and yet joyful.He seemed wonderfully carefree, and to Tabitha, that was exhilarating.
Although they walked some distance, the duke showed no more signs of tiring than Nat Meade.She gathered that a month ago, he would not have risked it, but his weeks in the saddle had clearly strengthened both his body and his confidence.She began to suspect that for years now, his health had actually been better than his family had dared to hope.Smothering him in care had almost broken him rather than saved him.If he had not been so good natured, she thought, so reluctant to hurt, he would have thrown off all those yokes long since.
But he had found his way, without temper or acrimony, and she was proud of him.
Luncheon at the village inn was hearty and tasty, and the day seemed full of laughter when they eventually walked back to Hawthorn Court.With her hand in Jack’s arm, Tabitha could not remember a happier day.
Until they came in sight of the house and Lily spoke with an air of resigned regret.“There is a carriage at the front.Ralph must be here to end our fun.”
“Not at all,” Tabitha said.“Merely a different kind of fun.It changes nothing, you know.”
“Should we change before we greet him?”Lily asked mournfully.“He’ll only scold about the mud on our skirts.”
“Let him.I rather think he will have more on his mind.”
