Page 16 of Almost a Countess

“I suppose I canappreciate yer decision there, Miss Harper. Now I think o’ it, I’dwish my sister tae show such caution should the need ever arise forher t’ dae sae.” He cocked his head and gave her an appraisinglook. “Ye’ve not told me yet why ye’re here alone save forservants? Were yer parents called away unexpectedly,perhaps?”

“Suffice it to say theyare from home at the moment, my lord.” Dora refused to be drawn outabout her vulnerability. Best focus on his. “So your ankle is muchimproved?” She nodded to his leg. “You can walk on it without painnow?”

Lord Aberfoyle grunted and shifted hisposition. “’Tis better, thank ye, although I’m no’ yet pain free. Ican bear some weight on it, but I’m no’ sure I can ride yet.” Helooked inquiringly at her. “I wondered if I might try it out in thesaddle this morning. If ye might like tae accompany me, tae keep aneye on me, as it were.” He grinned, and Dora relaxed for the firsttime since entering the room. “I see ye’re dressed taeride.”

“I am. However, I’m afraidI cannot ride with you this morning, my lord. I’m on my way tovisit a friend who just arrived in the neighborhood.”

His face fell a trifle, which madeDora’s heart beat faster. “I understand.”

“Perhaps when I returnthis afternoon, we can ride out and test your ankle.”

He crossed his arms over his chest,his mouth pinched. “I believe I’m capable o’ riding on my own,lass.”

“Under usualcircumstances, perhaps. With your ankle an unknown, I insist onaccompanying you, my lord.” She stared evenly into his face.Trusting him with her horse unaccompanied would be foolhardy. “It’sonly common courtesy.”

“That’s kind o’ ye, lass.”But he seemed put out by her suggestion.

“My pleasure, my lord.”She beamed broadly at him. “We must needs keep yousafe.”

“Then thank ye, MissHarper. I find myself even more in yer debt.” He made an elegantbow, showing a rueful smirk as he straightened.

Why was it whenever he smiled, herlegs wanted to turn to jelly?

“Will you accompany medownstairs now, my lord? I’ll make sure you are provided for someentertainment while I am gone.” Dora turned to the door. “There’s alibrary that’s fairly well stocked. And the garden is quite lovelythis time of year, but I wouldn’t stray too far from the house. Iwould remind you that the soldiers are likely lurking about thecountryside. You’d not want them to see you.”

He chuckled as he followed her out ofthe room. “That is one piece o’ advice I will be sure tae heed. Iwant neither tae be apprehended again nor bring the troop’s wrathdown upon yer household, Miss Harper.”

“I thank you for thatassurance, my lord.” They took the stairs together and when theyreached the entry hall, Dora called for the footman.

“James, please haveGretchen saddled for me.”

“Yes, miss.” James gaveone inquisitive look at his lordship then made an abrupt about-faceand hurried from the room.

As they walked out the front door,Dora had a sudden misgiving about Lord Aberfoyle’s plan for theday. “If you intend to stroll the property, you really should keepto the park near the house.” She pointed to the grassy lawn to theright of the driveway. “A couple of turns around the driveway and ashort path through those trees should give you some exercise foryour ankle. If you wander farther afield, you might encounter thesoldiers.” She frowned. “Of course, they may very well appear hereanyway, but I still think you will be safer if you stay close tothe house.”

“I will keep that in mind,Miss Harper.” The cheerful smile on his lips, however, told her hewould likely traipse all over the estate. Some men simply thrivedon danger.

James appeared, leading her horse, andLord Aberfoyle stepped in quickly, albeit with a grimace, to giveher a leg up into the saddle. “A much easier mount than yesterday,dinna ye agree?”

“I do, my lord.” She satthinking for a moment and sighed. “I’d like Alfred to accompany metoday, James. The countryside is less quiet of late, and I amriding to see friends who will expect me to be accompanied. Willyou tell him I’ll wait for him here?”

“I could ride with ye,Miss Harper.” Lord Aberfoyle jumped in eagerly with his offer. “Itwould give me both the chance tae stretch this leg and ye couldkeep an eye on me in case Scarlet puts in anappearance.”

She might have known he’d suggestthat. Shaking her head, she said, “I’m sorry, my lord, but thatsimply won’t do.” She broke off to look at the groom. “Go tellAlfred to saddle a horse, James.” Then she turned back to the earl,whose face had fallen a foot. “Surely you must see, my lord, that Iwould have no way to explain your presence to my friends.” It wouldbe hard enough to keep him a secret from Violet as it was. And ifTris caught wind of it— “Lord Trevor, in particular, would be irateif he knew you had spent the night here.”

“Why is he sae protectiveo’ ye?” Lord Aberfoyle stared pointedly at her, a frown beginningto darken his brows. “Is he a relative?”

“Not exactly.” There wasno good way to explain her connection to Tris save to state itbaldly. “I was betrothed to him last year and jilted him earlierthis year so he could wed another. Now I fear he may feelresponsible for me in some manner.” She’d not seen Tris since hiswedding in January, but Violet had written to her that Tris feltguilty that her father had banished her. For one who knew Tris, itwas no small leap to assume he would try to rectify the matter asbest he could. This visit would allow her to gauge how serious Triswas going to be about interfering in her life.

He crossed his arms over his chest andfixed her with a steely eye. “Perhaps the gentleman shouldbear some responsibility.”

“Please do not troubleyourself over my concern, my lord.” The last thing Dora needed wasthe earl confronting Tris. There’d be another duel, and she’d havemore blood on her hands. “I’m certain I can manage. Alfred, are youready?” she called to the lad trotting up to her, James rightbehind him, and blew out a sigh of relief.

“Yes, miss.”

“Very good, then.” Sheturned back to the earl, and was struck anew by how handsome hewas, even in his borrowed clothes. What would he look like turnedout to the nines? She gave herself a little shake to dispel thatimage. “I hope to return early enough for us to ride, but if not,we will have to postpone it until tomorrow and I shall see you atdinner. We dine at six o’clock in the country.”

“I shall look forward taeit.” His eyes took her in from top to toe, and she regretted thebrown habit once again. “Enjoy your ride.”