AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, that truly is not a good explanation.” But due to his age, I could not think of a better one.
“So…?”
I shook my head. “No explanation will make sense till you are older.”
He said nothing more, just sat on the edge of the bed, his feet dangling, and once more stared at me.
“Yes?” I asked.
“Shall you be staying here now?”
I did not know what was to happen next in my life. But I was sure I would not be staying here. “No. I am merely here to visit for a day or two.”
He frowned, and his shoulders dropped. “Oh.”
I was unsure of what I was to say to him, so we dwelled in this awkward silence, so much so that when there was a knock at the door, I all but shouted.
“Yes, come in!”
But still, it was not the butler. Instead, it was my father. His eyes met mine and then shifted to Alexander.
“Did I not tell you not to bother him?”
“I was not a bother, was I, Theo?”
Theo?
“No, he was not,” I answered truthfully. I just did not know what to do or say.
“Nevertheless, your tutor is waiting for you, Alexander.” Father nodded for him to go.
Alexander sighed heavily and got up from the bed. Before he reached the door, he turned back to me. “Will you go riding with me tomorrow?”
“If you wish.”
“I do!” A smile returned to his face as he left. Now I was left with an even more awkward companion.
“If you are ready, follow me” was all he said, exiting as well, and I did as he ordered.
Where we were going, I was not sure, but it did not really matter because the tension would be the same. Though I did grow curious when he led me out to the gardens, where two horses, one brown and the other white, were already waiting beside the stable hand. He walked down the steps to the first horse, leaving the white one free.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“Yes, we are,” he stated as he climbed up. “I am sure you would like to rest, but I do not believe this can wait.”
The tone in his voice was a bit more serious than when he had first seen me, so I did not argue. Only when I was in the saddle did he kick off quickly.
The man truly was as fit as could be. Most men of his age in London rode but not as he did—as if he were trying to escape the world behind him. In fact, he rode with such vigor that I could barely keep up. The wind that slapped across my face, clothing, and hair was chilling. The land all around me passed in blurs of green. My heart raced to the point that I could feel it in my neck. But once I started to get used to it, I could not help but grin, wishing to go faster, to overtake him. We rode for what seemed like no time at all when, suddenly, we came to a slower trot as we approached a rather large house. It was nowhere near as big as Wentwood, but still, the neoclassical style was quite similar, with a lush path and rose garden in front. But most impressive were its large windows.
“This is Glassden Hall. It sits on one hundred of the fourteen hundred acres here. A good portion of it can be used for farming and boarding. It has approximately fifty-one rooms and three gardens around the property, one of which has a lovely pond, though I think you will find the most magnificent aspect to be its library,” he said as I came up beside him.
“It is impressive.” I nodded, unsure why he had brought me to see it until I saw him staring at me. Then it hit me, for there could be no other reason. “No…”
“It belongs to you, Theodore.”
“I did not come for this!” I said quickly, feeling panicked all of a sudden. How could he expect me to accept it?
“Why did you come then?”
“I told you, your wife said you were gravely ill—”
“And you did not even think to question her because you sought to escape the lady you love? Lady Verity Eagleman.”
I froze, my eyes wide. Surely, he could not have known. He reached into his coat and pulled out a letter. “My wife also sent me a letter along with you.”
“That was highly inappropriate of her. Especially as she reveals Verity’s name. What if it had been discovered?”
“All the servants here live by her breath, and such a letter would never have reached anyone but whom she intended it for. And you are aware you do not deny its contents?” he said.
I grabbed the reins so tight the horse protested. Calming it, I tried to think of what to say.
