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“If you think it’s right,” Selina said, backing off. “I’ll go and collect my maid. She’ll probably want to stretch her legs.”
“Don’t leave the estate, dear,” Aunt Georgiana said. “We don’t know where those awful men are.”
“Don’t worry about me, Aunt Georgiana,” Selina assured her. “We’ll stay on the estate.”
Selina collected Faith, who did indeed want some fresh air.
“What if they come here?” Faith asked as they walked down the front steps, then began to follow the drive.
“It’s doubtful, Faith,” Selina said stoutly. “Usually, thieves don’t stay in one place for long. Otherwise, they get caught. We’re very safe on Uncle Kirby’s estate.”
Faith sighed. “I hope you’re right, My Lady. We won’t go far, will we?”
“Of course not. We’ll stay within sight of the house the whole time.”
* * *
Jasper was riding to Kirby Hall, to let Lord Kirby know what he had found out. He was out looking for anything suspicious. As he rode Pilot toward Kirby Hall, he saw Lady Selina, accompanied by who he could only presume was her maid.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” Lady Selina said, dropping him a curtsy. She looked radiant in a pale-blue dress. She wore a straw bonnet with a black ribbon. In her hand, she held a bouquet of poppies.
“Lady Selina,” he said, shocked at finding her practically on the road and accompanied by only a lady’s maid. “You shouldn’t be abroad.”
“We’re in sight of Kirby Hall,” she replied. “Who would attack us here?”
Jasper turned to Lady Selina’s maid, who was watching the exchange. “Does your lady often risk her life like this?”
“Often, Your Grace,” her maid confirmed darkly. She was a very serious girl—almost a foil to Selina. She seemed intelligent, though. Sharp-witted—the perfect companion to her mistress.
Selina laughed, throwing her head back to look up at the sky. “Not to say that I’m not concerned for our welfare, Your Grace. But I don’t want to live my life trembling in fear. It’s broad daylight out. Who could be out on a day like this, trying to do something untoward?”
“Well, My Lady,” Jasper announced, getting down off of Pilot. “I’ll have to accompany you back home.” He swung the reins over the horse’s large, dark head.
“Then you’ll be accompanying us to the overlook, as well, Your Grace,” she replied sternly, arching her brow.
Jasper sighed, smiling and shaking his head. “As you wish, My Lady.” He turned to her maid, who looked disappointed. “Never fear, Miss. I will make sure that we all return back to Kirby Hall safely.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” the maid said, smiling in a way that told him that she was seeing right through him. He turned away from her. He had no doubt that gentlemen were often bending to the indomitable will of the Lady Selina. He was different, though. He’d prove it.
In a few strides, he’d caught up to Lady Selina, who was strolling slowly toward the overlook. She glanced over at Pilot.
“Who’s this, Your Grace?” she asked.
“Pilot,” he replied, watching as she held her hand out. Pilot nuzzled the palm of her hand with his nose.
“He’s a beautiful animal,” she commented, “looks very fast.”
“He is, My Lady,” he said. “Do you like horses?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” she replied, then stopped by the side of the road, adding a few blue wildflowers to her bouquet.
“Well,” she said, looking down at them. “I do declare this bouquet finished.” She turned toward her maid. “Will you hold these, Faith?”
“Of course, My Lady.” The maid took them.
“Your Grace,” Lady Selina murmured, turning her gaze toward him.
“Yes, My Lady?” he asked curiously.
