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It was difficult to believe he was sincere when he’d taken such delight in telling her about contesting the will. Later, when he found his claim would not be successful, he’d been apoplectic with rage.
Now she was to believe it was due to grief? Dare she believe he was sincere? She supposed time would show if he could be trusted.
Returning from Mrs. Eltham’s cottage, Ria was about to recross the bridge that spanned a stream swollen with winter rain, only to see the Earl of Arden riding toward her.
Could the day get any worse?
Briefly closing her eyes, she answered her own question. Yes, it could! Today, in the privacy of her own estate, she’d worn a bonnet with no veil. With the full mask she’d worn as Persephone and her hair covered by a silk medieval headdress, she was fairly confident he didn’t know what she looked like, but she’d still be more comfortable with a veil to hide behind.
Especially as she hoped he wouldn’t realize she was Honey. It would make it more difficult to avoid him if he knew she was his childhood friend, though would he even remember her after eight years?
This part of the narrow lane was bordered on one side by the stream, and on the other a high brick wall connected to the entrance lodge, so there was no possibility of her being able to escape. She flicked her horse’s reins, and Rose Kate’s pace changed from a leisurely amble to a trot.
Resigned, she watched as he came closer. Unlike her encounter with Geoffrey, this time she would not stop, which at best would make him move on quickly, and at worst should help limit conversation.
What was he still doing in Little Bridgeton? He should have left the area by now. The other attendees at the masquerade had departed long since. He and Devon were the only ones left. Even their host had gone.
As he came abreast of the gig, he turned his horse and trotted beside her. “Good afternoon, Mrs. St. James.”
Well, that certainly confirmed he had seen her in the cemetery without her veil.
Ria replied coolly, “Good afternoon, Lord Arden.”
“Are you visiting your tenants today?”
She nodded in confirmation. “One tenant.”
He smiled at her and suggested, “I was out for a ride. Perhaps I might accompany you?”
She smiled sweetly. “Thank you, but I am just returning home. Such a shame.”
“Then I shall accompany you home.”
She noticed that this time he’d not asked.
Good manners dictated she could not refuse outright, though, unsmiling, Ria tried to discourage him. “Thank you Lord Arden. However, it is not necessary.” She added hopefully, “I am sure you have other things to do.”
“No, not at all. I was just out for a ride.”
Ria flicked the reins once more, encouraging Rose Kate to move faster.
The earl urged his horse to match the gig’s pace. “Do you visit your tenants often?”
“Quite regularly, yes,” She said, speaking more loudly so he could hear her over the clatter of the wheels as they sped along the drive.
“That must have been where you were when I called this week.”
She tossed a quick look at him then turned her attention back to the lane ahead. His expression was genial, in contrast to his pointed comment.
He had visited the manor a number of times, but she’d instructed her butler to say she was not at home to visitors.
Coolly she told him, “The estate does take up a lot of my time.”
“I would be happy to be of assistance.”
Ria cast another glance at him. Although not a fop with a high collar and garish waistcoat such as worn by Geoffrey, he still didn’t look like the sort of gentleman who would know the difference between wheat and clover, let alone actually dirty his hands. “Thank you, but I have an excellent estate agent.”
“I’m pleased to hear it. Of course it does still pay to keep an eye on things and not rely too much on your agent.”
