Page 59 of A Bloom for a Blacksmith

“Put a powdered wig on him, and he looks as if he could be that young,” Darius groused, his eyes suddenly widening. “Whereas I look as if I’m nearly ready for the churchyard.”

Stella tittered. “You do not.”

Darius’s attention suddenly went to the door. “Yes, Jenkins?” he prompted. He had heard the servant approach and knew to steer their conversation to a more neutral topic in the event he was eavesdropping.

“You have callers. A Miss Iris O’Connor and Mr. Angus Thompson,” the butler announced. “Shall I set additional places for dinner?”

Darius and Stella exchanged glances of surprise. “Do that,” Stella answered. “But don’t tell Mrs. Crabbe,” she warned.

“Very good, ma’am.”

“We’ll be right down,” Darius replied. He closed the guide, causing a resounding thump to reverberate throughout the library. He offered his arm, and Stella placed hers on it.

“So… do you think Lord Woodhurst knows you would sort this?” she asked.

“I do,” he replied.

She gave a start as they descended the stairs. “Why?”

He pulled a missive from his pocket and held it up. “Because we’ve been invited to Woodhurst House for dinner. Tomorrow evening.”

Inhaling softly, Stella glanced over at him. “I look forward to meeting his wife,” she said, her brows waggling in delight.

Halfway down the last flight of stairs, Darius called out, “You didn’t have to bring the granite tonight.”

Stella gave a start. “Who are you talking to?” she asked.

“Him,” Darius replied, his brows furrowing in confusion.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, both he and Stella stopped short at seeing the couple who stood hand in hand by the front door.

Even before Stella hurried to join the younger couple, Darius directly behind her, they knew something terrible had happened.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Aftermath of an Attack

Agremon House

“Whatever has happened?” Stella asked in alarm, rushing to stand before Iris. The young woman’s eyes were red rimmed from crying, and her mourning gown was torn in several places.

Before she could turn her attention to Angus, Darius said, “We need to get you both upstairs. See to your injuries.”

“Yes, sir,” Angus replied.

Darius turned to discover Jenkins standing nearby. “Have the footmen bring in the stone from the back of Mr. Thompson’s phaeton, and then have the equipage moved to the mews,” he ordered.

“Right away, sir,” the butler replied.

“How long until dinner?”

“About an hour, sir.”

“Good. We’ll be ready.”

Obviously unnerved, Iris said, “Shouldn’t we—?”

“Upstairs,” Stella whispered, urging the two to follow them. “The bathing chamber. You can tell us everything there.”