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Chapter Four
Ashford was relieved when his carriage finally slowed and turned into the lane leading to Crossley. The motion of the carriage and the jarring of the rough road had made reading the briefs he had brought with him challenging. He had regretted choosing to be driven rather than riding almost as soon as they had left London, but while he would have enjoyed the long ride, it would have felt like wasted time. At least this way he had managed to get some work done, despite the poor state of the roads. He was fairly certain he would be able to read the notes he had taken, despite the bumps and sways.
It was obvious when they had reached Crossley’s vicinity, as the roads had vastly improved. So even though it was even further than he had expected, all his papers and notes were safely stowed long before his carriage pulled to a stop in front of the wide façade of the stately home.
An attentive footman rushed forward to open the door, and Ash stepped down with an appreciative smile to the servant as he gazed about at his surroundings. He nodded with approval at what he saw. The earl seemed to be very efficient in the running of his estate. So many noblemen were more determined to stick to tradition rather than improvement, from what Ashford had observed. His own father was no exception to that, despite the many suggestions Ash had tried to make over the years. The Earl of Everleigh was as set in the old ways as any of his cronies. Ash only hoped his brother would be more open to improvements.
He shook his head. He shouldn’t concern himself with it. If they didn’t want to listen to him, that was their right, but he loved the home he had grown up in and all the lands and tenants that came with it. And he didn’t want to see it squandered before it became his nephew’s legacy. Shaking off the dull sensation that such thoughts, coupled with the long drive, left his mind in, Ash left his carriage and baggage in the capable hands of the servants and stepped forward to greet his host, who had just stepped out to welcome him.
“Northcott, welcome, I’m glad to see you.”
Ash laughed. “Only ladies in residence thus far, Crossley?”
The earl joined his laughter but shook his head in dismay. “So many ladies. And all of them giggling over their needlework. I don’t know what I was thinking to agree to my wife’s idea of hosting all of them.”
“You were thinking that you liked being in her good graces.”
The earl grinned. “That must’ve been it.”
Ash eyed the house. “How many ladies are we talking about, Crossley? Should I sneak around by the back door and avoid encountering them? Or ought you to have a couple horses saddled for us, and we could escape a little longer?”
Crossley’s narrowed eyes made Ashford laugh anew.
“You did know you were coming to a house party that could be viewed as an extension of the Season, did you not? Since I am already matched, I can be excused for my wish to escape, but out of loyalty to my countess, I probably ought to object to you wishing it.”
Ash’s grin felt as though it were splitting his cheeks. “I did have a reasonably good idea of what I was letting myself in for when I accepted your wife’s invitation, have no fear. But after the long drive, I thought a good ride might blow out the cobwebs before I face the giggles.”
Crossley returned his smile and clapped him on his shoulder in the age-old indication of gentlemen in agreement.
