Page 98 of Yielding to Love

“They hired you?” He felt a flicker of irritation.

“I like to think of it as a stroke of good fortune. I don’t want to be a continual burden on the Stirlings.”

He grunted. She needed to work. And he wasn’t usually such a snob. “I feel responsible for your situation.”

“You shouldn’t. Nor should you pity me. Alice and Hazard treat me wonderfully. And watching Alice is an education.”

“I’m sure.” It was true that her circumstances could be worse. But she was a guest here, and would be treated as such. They entered the woods, and he tucked her arm more firmly against his side. “Watch for roots and sticks. The path is mostly cleared, but I keep finding surprises.”

“Haz said this was a summer escape for your family when you were young?”

“Yes. It was deeded to me. My father wanted us all to have something. Reg has a house in Bath that he lets out. Olivia has an eye-watering dowry. And I got this. Careful!” The descent to the lake was mostly gradual, but there were a few step-offs along the path, less of a risk for his long legs than they would be for hers.

She took an awkward step down, and they kept walking. “It’s lovely, from what I’ve seen. Does this mean you are forsaking London?” He caught a hint of concern in her tone.

“No. I’m keeping my set at Albany. For now, at any rate.”

She smiled at him, drawing his eyes to her lips. Which meant he stumbled over a root. She laughed. “Watch out. You don’t want to muddy your knees again. You’ll get a reputation for clumsiness.”

They proceeded more carefully until they emerged into a clearing at the edge of a large lake, its surface rippling lightly. Moonlight played across it like fire.

“Oh, Crispin.” She sounded awed.

A large rock protruded from the water at the shoreline. When they were younger, they used to dive from it into the ice-cold lake. Even Olivia. Nothing fazed her. But more recently, he came out here just to sit and think.

“Come up with me?” he asked, extending his hand. “It’s a bit of a climb, but there are toeholds.”

She squinted skeptically. He remembered her fear of heights. “If you fall, I’ll catch you.” When she laughed, he said, “You don’t have to if you don’t wish to.”

“No, I will.”

He helped her scramble up the back of the rock, then followed. They sat on the surface where it was flat. Unfortunately, there was a strong breeze blowing. Crispin placed himself where he could best serve as a wind block for her. “Tell me what you have been doing since leaving Tonbridge.”

“Following Alice about.” She gave him an overview of life as Alice’s companion. He had to admit, it sounded interesting. And Camellia did have more freedom to venture out with the excuse that she was being paid to accompany the viscountess. “And what have you been doing?” she asked.

“Fixing the house. It was sorely neglected while I was on the peninsula. A series of misunderstandings left it barely occupied. And while I kept saying I wanted to make it whole again—”

“Yes, I remember. You came down to see us in Tonbridge when you said you’d gone to London to buy furniture.”

He nodded. “My intentions were good, but I kept procrastinating. I suppose I was worried I couldn’t master the task. And if that were the case, I’d rather not know.”

“But you did.”

“Yes.” He listed a few of the things he’d seen to, then laughed. “You’ll see the house tomorrow. I don’t need to bore you with the details. It’s kept me busy.”

“And now that the renovations are finished?”

He hesitated, then said, “Ah, well, there is always more work to be done.”

“What kind of work?”

He gazed out over the lake. His plan might not even be feasible. Even so, he confided, “I’d like to try breeding horses.” He heard her intake of breath and faced her. “I think perhaps the notion might have come from you. You said your father bred horses?”

“Yorkshire Trotters. Carriage horses.” She smiled. “Horse breeding would suit you—all the planning and arranging.”

“Yes, I’ve had great success as a matchmaker.” When she snorted, he drew in a mock-offended breath. “It’s true!”

“Of course, it is. Do you know Hazard and Alice want you to stand for the Commons? They were plotting how to convince you the whole way here.”