Page 41 of A Gifted Earl

Venetia had not considered that possibility, and now that it had been mentioned, the idea appealed to her a great deal.

“We should ask him. He is kind, and I am sure that he would be happy to help, if he has suitable horses.”

Amelia nodded, and they resolved to do so, as soon after breakfast as a chance presented itself. They turned their attention, then, to the excellent food before them, and said very little for some time.

But, Venetia noted with a shiver of unease, Jasper was watching her, from where he sat on the other end of the long table. She could almost feel his eyes upon her, like cold fingers on her skin, and even the warmth of Amelia’s kind remarks could not remove that chill.

*****

Morgan watched the guests with interest, seeing a very different side to the social interaction here, compared to in London ballrooms and drawing rooms. He rather thought that the way that people behaved here was more natural, and showed more of each person’s true character. Which, for most of them, meant that he liked them better here. Of course, there were exceptions – starting with Lord Jasper, who did not improve with further acquaintance.

The man was crass in his manner, and had already, before the afternoon had barely begun, suggested that playing cards for ‘decent stakes’ might liven up the day. Morgan had simply said that gambling was not on the list of entertainments planned for the week, and left it at that, but Lord Jasper had looked both horrified and angered by his statement. Perhaps the man had hoped to go home substantially richer – a hope which would not be fulfilled.

The last of the guests had arrived this morning, and once they were settled in, Morgan had decided that, as the weather was fine, with a little warmth from the weak winter sun, he would begin the activities by leading a walk through the gardens and the surrounds of the house, so that everyone would know where to find things.

Now, as they gathered in the large parlour, he took note of who was there, and smiled when he saw Lady Venetia. Perhaps he might use this as a chance to walk near her, and to speak a little?

He strode over to where she stood with her mother, in conversation with Lady Merringbar.

“Good day, Ladies, I hope that you will be joining me on our walk about the grounds?”

It was Lady Venetia who turned to him first, with a smile on her face – a smile which made her look quite stunningly lovely.

“We will, my Lord. I look forward to seeing the gardens, but also the stables and the fields – mother has always chastised me for being more interested in horses than in the more genteel activities usually expected of ladies.”

Lady Merringbar laughed.

“In that, we are very alike. I trust that you keep a good stable, my Lord?”

For a moment, Morgan hesitated – he did not wish to reveal too much of his past as a stablemaster, yet he also felt called to share his love for horses with these young women who seemed of like mind on the matter. He swallowed – what harm could there be in admitting to an interest?

“I like to think that I do. I have always been happiest around horses – from long before I came into the title.”

Lady Venetia regarded him sharply for a moment – perhaps remembering one of their earlier conversations, about him not being like most men of the ton? But it was Lady Merringbar who spoke.

“I am glad to hear it, my Lord – too many gentlemen see horses only as a conveyance, or as a financial asset, rather than as creatures with character all their own.”

“I would certainly agree with you there, my Lady.” He glanced around the room, quickly calculating the number of people present. “I think that everyone is here, so perhaps we should begin.”

“Of course.”

He turned to face the room, and clapped his hands together.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that we are ready to begin our tour of the grounds – if you would all follow me.”

And with that, he turned back to Lady Venetia, and offered her his arm. She blushed, but placed her hand upon it, and they stepped out through the glass doors onto the small terrace, then proceeded down the stairs into the gardens.

He was acutely conscious of the warmth of her hand on his arm, and a sense of deep pleasure filled him at being in her company.

*****

Venetia was charmed by Lord Templewick’s manner, and when he offered her his arm, she felt the eyes of every other young Lady present focus on her, filled with envy. It was more than she could have hoped for – but did it mean that he cared for her? Or was he simply being kind again?

As they moved to the door, she glanced across the room, and there, she discovered Jasper – watching her, his expression tight and disapproving. It sent a shiver through her, especially when he bent to the gentleman beside him, and whispered something, with an angling of his head in her direction. The other man gave a soft laugh, and turned to study Venetia, blatantly, his eyes coldly assessing her. Fear coiled in her stomach, and she forced her gaze back to where they were going, determined to concentrate on Lord Templewick, and what he was showing them.

She would not let Jasper spoil everything!