Page 49 of Reforming Lord Neil

“Will you draw a picture of the lion for me?” she pleaded. “And the elephant?”

“I am not a great artist, Cara.” He raised his eyebrows at her and grinned, mixing together oats for Abigail. The cow had seemed agitated, and Mr. Putnam told Neil that Abigail likely had eaten something that disagreed with her. A treat of oats and grain mixed and warmed would likely set her to rights.

“But you have seen them, which means your pictures will be better than nothing.” She made her bottom lip protrude, fixing him in place with her large, pleading eyes. “Please, Mr. Duncan?”

Teresa had not told her mother or daughter about his identity, so their address to him had not changed.

Neil pretended to heave a sigh. “Very well. If you bring me your slate, I will do my best.”

Caroline’s grin burst through her pretended pout. Neil gave the bucket to Abigail, then put his hands out to help Caroline down from her perch.

The girl’s arms went briefly around his neck and she placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Mr. Duncan.” She rushed out of the barn, unaware of what her simple gesture had meant to him.

Neil walked out slowly into the sunlight. He watched Caroline run into the house, and his stomach twisted. Yes, he was in love with Teresa. He had also come to care for her daughter. The girl was a delight. She was happiness and sunshine, and as kind as her mother. He would do anything for either of them.

A clatter near the gate drew Neil’s attention. He turned, curious as to who might have come for a visit. Teresa’s former status seemed to keep her from having many friends among the farmer’s wives, but he had seen a few women come and go.

But it was not a wagon or farm cart that entered the yard. It was a carriage, with a familiar crest.

Neil froze where he stood, staring at the emblazoned yellow shield with three red birds upon it.

The Earl of Inglewood had arrived.

The carriage went to the front of the house, up a pebble and dirt path Neil had not seen anyone use in his whole time at Bramble Cottage. Rather than wind its way behind the house to the yard between cottage and barn, it went to the front door.

Brought out of his stupor by that fact, Neil ran across the yard to the kitchen door. Teresa would be confused to have such guests descend upon her. He entered the kitchen at the same moment the knock sounded at the front door.

Mrs. Godwin looked first at him, then toward the passage to the front room.

“Guests.” Neil spared her a quick smile before going to answer the door himself.

Teresa had been in the front room, sewing a new dress for Caroline. She was already at the door, hand on the latch, when he arrived at her side. Caroline was on the steps, coming down with her slate and chalk.

When the door swung open, Neil had a perfect view of an Inglewood liveried servant standing at the door. “If you please, is this Bramble Cottage, the current residence of Mrs. Clapham?”

Teresa put her hand to her throat. “Yes, I am Mrs. Clapham.”

“Madam.” The servant bowed, not conveying any surprise to find his master and mistress calling upon someone in such humble circumstances. “My master, his lordship the Earl of Inglewood, and his lady, have come to call upon you.” He turned and made a gesture. A servant similarly dressed, standing by the carriage, now held open the door.

Teresa looked over her shoulder at Neil with alarm in her eyes, then stepped outside to greet her guests properly. Neil followed, and Caroline remained behind.

Silas Riley, Lord Inglewood, came out of the carriage first. He was dressed in fine traveling clothes. As tall as Neil, but broader in the shoulders, he only spared the scene before him a brief glance before reaching inside to take his wife’s hand.

Lady Inglewood stepped out one dainty shoe at a time. Her eyes fell immediately on Neil, and her lips parted in surprise. Her husband looked to see what had her attention, then his stare remained upon Neil, his own shock evident by the slow enlargement of his eyes.

“It cannot be—is that you, Lord Neil?” Lady Inglewood came forward, step light and smile large. “I did not recognize you.”

With a stiff bow, Neil acknowledged them both. “Whereas I could never fail to identify you, my lady, as one of the most extraordinary women of my acquaintance.”

That put the frown back on Lord Inglewood’s face, even though his wife laughed away the compliment. “That is quite enough of that, Lord Neil. I understand there is another lady here who holds such a distinction, and I should very much like to meet her.”

Neil put his hand out for Teresa to take, which she did, a shaky smile upon her face. He presented her as he would have done at a ball or court function.

“May I introduce to you, Lord and Lady Inglewood, Mrs. Teresa Clapham. She is a true friend, and a woman of honor and distinction.”

The earl bowed, and his lady curtsied, returning Teresa’s bend of the knee.

Inglewood spoke next. “It is a pleasure to know you, Mrs. Clapham. Please, forgive our intrusion, but we come upon a matter of some urgency.”