Page 101 of Aurelia

But that was a lie.

“You should speak to Talbot about Aurelia, Crewe.” Arthur—evidently the least observant man in all of Scotland—blithely smiled at his cousin.

The earl turned not just his gaze, but his body, toward the other man. “I beg your pardon?” His tone was the frostiest she had ever heard.

Arthur sighed and gave his cousin a chiding look. “Without a father, brother, or other male relative to protect her, the duty falls to us, Crewe. Or, to you, rather.”

The air in front of Aurelia filled with a red mist and she opened her mouth to tell Arthur in no uncertain terms what he could do with his protection.

“I painted a watercolor of the castle that Miss Burton says is very good,” Celsa piped up.

If it had been anyone else who’d spoken just then, Aurelia would have believed they were attempting to move the conversation in a less volatile direction.

But it was Celsa, so Aurelia suspected the girl was just bored listening to her father and uncle talk about Aurelia.

Whatever the reason, Aurelia was profoundly grateful for the interruption.

“I should like to see your painting,” the earl declared, his unreadable gaze on Aurelia rather than his daughter. “I am pleased to hear you have found the time to instruct my daughter. Especially given your obviously busy social calendar,” he added, his nostrils pinched.

Did Aurelia say that she liked the earl’s jealousy? That was a lie.

She loved it.

***

Aurelia was just finishing her breakfast the following morning when Charles entered the breakfast room.

“His lordship asks that you meet him in the stables—prepared for riding—in half an hour.”

Aurelia blinked at the footman. “Me?” she asked rather stupidly as she was the only person in the room other than Charles himself.

Charles’s lips twitched slightly. “Yes, Miss Burton.”

“Thank you,” she murmured.

Aurelia stared unseeingly at her almost empty plate after the door closed behind the servant. What could the earl want with her?

He had been cool and clipped with her last night after Arthur had yammered on about Sir Gideon. Indeed, he’d scarcely spoken another word to her during the remainder of dinner.

Why did he want to go riding with her? Was he going to bring up Sir Gideon and hector her on the inappropriateness of her afternoon meetings with the baronet?

Aurelia’s eyes narrowed. If he dared to scold her, he would discover just how quickly she could pack her belongings and be gone.

She had half a mind to leave him standing in the stables, but then decided on a better plan and rang the servant bell.

A few moments later Charles appeared.

“I would like another pot of coffee, please.”

His eyes slid toward the clock on the mantle and then slid back.

Aurelia raised her eyebrows.

He inclined his head. “Right away, Miss Burton.”

Aurelia would obey Lord Crewe’s summons. But it would be on her terms.

***