“Let’s talk about something else,” he suggested. “It has been a while since we have discussed anything entertaining.”
“You are right,” John agreed, “I cannot remember the last time we were actually fun.” His tone was slightly sarcastic, but the truth rang in his words. They had been quite boring lately.
“I think I have forgotten how to have fun,” Luke mumbled.
John laughed. “Well, then we had better ease into it!” He pulled his gleaming white horse back a pace, so it stood in line with Luke’s black stallion. “If only Heaps were here. That boy was always good for a laugh.” Adam Heaps was an old friend from their first few years of school.
“Heaps,” Luke reminisced, “I have not thought about that boy in years.”
“Do you remember the time he filled Professor Ladley’s inkwell with pig’s blood?” They laughed.
“The smell was unbearable!” Luke exclaimed. “Oh, what about the day he wore all of his clothes backward, and tried to convince us his head had fallen off and he put it back on the wrong way?”
John shook his head. “That boy was not the brightest, but he sure was funny.” They were heading back in the direction of the stables now.
“Perhaps, when I change back into my day clothes, I will put them on backwards,” Luke replied jokingly.
“Do it!” John said excitedly, “Oh, do it for the picnic! I would love to see the look on Clara’s face!”
“She would murder me.”
John shrugged. “Perhaps, but boy would it be funny.”
“You would have me risk my life for a laugh?”
John chuckled. “Why has she set up this picnic anyway?”
It was Clara and a social event, did it really need explaining? Though it was strange the guestlist only included a single member not of the household. “I would imagine she is trying to play matchmaker with one of us,” he pointed at John and himself, “and her new friend.”
The future earl sighed. “Well, no offense, mate, but I hope it is for you. I am so tired of Clara’s friends throwing themselves at me.”
Luke shook his head. “I am not looking to form an attachment anytime soon.”
And why might that be?His head snickered.
“I would not wait too long,” John reminded him, “you need a line of succession.” They had reached the stables and dismounted.
John’s caution was perfectly accurate and exceptionally terrifying. “Women are frightening.”
“They are,” John agreed. “Though you seem to get along just fine with Clara.”
Luke’s heart began beating rather quickly.Had John caught on to his secret?“She still scares me.”
John laughed. “She scares me, too.”
They walked toward the house. A dozen servants scurried on the back lawn, setting up a table, chairs, and flower vases for the picnic. Clara oversaw their work, directing them with a kind, elegant hand. She wore a light pink day dress with a white shawl wrapped around her shoulders, and she waved softly when she caught sight of them. Luke smiled as he waved back.
Her brother noticed. “There is not something going on between you and Clara, is there?” John’s voice held suspicion.
Luke felt the back of his neck perspire.Was there something going on with him and Clara?Not really.Did he wish there were?He was not ready to answer that question.
“Well, it would appear she is trying to match me with Miss Barnes.” He gestured to the activity on the lawn. “So I would say no.”
“Good.” John nodded his head. “Good. That would be strange if you had feelings for her.”
Yes,Luke thought,strange indeed.
“Shall we go for a walk in the garden?” Clara asked after the meal had finished. The picnic had not gone as she expected. John behaved courteously to Miss Barnes, definitely not showing an interest, but still treating her as a person. Luke, on the other hand, had not said or done anything the entire outing. Even when asked direct questions he simply nodded or shrugged. “John, why don’t you and Miss Barnes head in that direction? I would like to discuss something with Lord Maxwell.” John gave Luke a ‘you’re in trouble’look before offering Miss Barnes his arm. He was right, for once they were out of earshot, Luke got his reprimand.
