Page 42 of A Gifted Earl

Chapter Fourteen

They crossed the lawns, and Lord Templewick led them through the gardens, which would be magnificent come spring, and which featured fountains and follies, as well as a lake. There was also, around the side of the house, a kitchen garden, inside its own walled enclosure. He pointed out the greenhouses, set to the other side of the house, and the paths which led down past the lake to the pastures beyond.

“If you look into the distance, where the two hills drop into a deep valley between them, with rock outcrops on each hill, you are seeing the boundary of the estate. It expands about an equal distance to that to each side, as well.”

The size of it was breathtaking – so much bigger than Brightwood Chase or even Hard Abbey! Venetia imagined what it would be like to ride out on an estate this size – one could go for hours, and still be on the Templewick property. Which would make it far easier to get on with one’s neighbours, she suspected. As if reading her thoughts, Amelia spoke from beside her.

“To have one’s house so far from one’s neighbours would make keeping a good relationship with them less challenging.”

Lord Templewick laughed.

“In that, you are correct. My estate manager tells me that there have been no disputes for many years, and I hope to keep it that way.”

Lady Hardenwell sighed.

“I wish that I could say the same about Brightwood Chase. When I inherited it, I also inherited a fifty-year long feud about one tiny pasture, on the banks of a stream. It’s been more than a year since, and I think that we have finally made progress – although the answer may be simply to give in and sign over that one acre to the neighbour – I really don’t see the point in arguing forever.”

Lord Templewick nodded.

“I agree. Best to simply create a solution, and move on. As we are about to do – the stables are next, and then the home farm.”

He led them back through the gardens, and past a long hedge, behind which the stable buildings surrounded three sides of a square, with a grassed area in the middle. One side was the carriage house, and the other two were stabling at ground level, and feed storage, plus grooms accommodation on the upper level.

As they stepped into the central building, Venetia breathed deeply of the familiar scent of horses and hay, and then sighed with pleasure. Lord Templewick glanced at her, and a small, almost secret smile slipped across his face.

“This is beautiful! So much space, and so well designed. And so many horses – are there others out to pasture still, or is it cold enough that you’ve brought them all in by now?”

“They are in – apart from a few of the ponies and the draft horses, who have such shaggy coats that the weather doesn’t bother them. But all of the brood mares, carriage horses and riding horses are in these two buildings. So, with all of the guests horses, things are a little crowded at present – so much so that I’ve moved some of the mares to one of the buildings at the home farm, temporarily.”

They walked along the row of stalls, and, towards the end, Venetia stopped to stroke the nose of a horse.

It was looking out at them curiously, and sniffed her fingers, as if hoping for food. She laughed, rubbing its face above the eye, so that it turned its head and pushed into her touch.

“I have nothing for you – and you have a full haynet – you are obviously an opportunist.”

The gelding snorted softly, and shook its head. Lord Templewick stepped up beside her, so close that she could feel the heat of his body, and her mouth was suddenly dry. Behind them, other guests had scattered somewhat, talking to various of the horses, or wandering back out into the square.

“This is Chamberlain – and you are quite right that he is an opportunist, not just about food, but also about getting his own way when ridden.”

“He sounds like just my kind of horse – a little bit of a challenge, but full of character.”

There was a moment of silence, and the horse stretched out his nose and nudged her, looking for more attention. Then, Lord Templewick spoke again, quietly, so that only she, and those very close to them, could hear.

“Then perhaps you would like to ride him? We could get together a small party to ride out across the estate in the morning?”

Venetia almost gasped, delighted, but then stopped.

“I would love to – but I did not bring a riding habit with me.”

Close by, Amelia spoke up.

“Ah, but I did – two, in fact, and I think that we are close enough in size that you could borrow one of mine. Of course, if Lord Templewick has another suitable horse available, I would love to ride out as well.”

“I do indeed have a number of other suitable horses. I shall arrange for the horses to be ready in the morning, and a groom to ride out with us.” His voice dropped even lower, to a level meant only for Venetia’s ears. “I look forward to that more intimate time in your company.”

Heat flushed through Venetia, and she quickly looked up, meeting his eyes - they were filled with an appreciative warmth which took her breath away. They stayed there, still, and the silence stretched, until she forced some words out, even as she looked back at the horse.

“I look forward to that too.”