Wild Lily (Those Notorious Americans Book 1)(29)

“I should count myself lucky,” he muttered, buttoning his coat.

“Pardon, sir?” His man paused from brushing any lint from his shoulders.

“Nothing. Sorry, Pendley. Talking to myself.”

“Yes, sir. I think you’ve a good morning for it, sir.”

“Talking?”

“Riding, sir. The ground will be firm from the sun yesterday.”

“That it will.” He took his gloves from the valet’s hands. “See you later.”

He took the main stairs to the foyer and strode toward the back of the house and down the servants’ stairs. At this hour, only they would be awake and working.

“Oh, my lord, I say!” Carbury’s butler pushed from the long wooden table in the servants’ hall. “You’re up early. I’ll send up a footman with breakfast.”

“Please don’t. Adams, is it?”

The butler nodded.

“I’m in no rush.”

“But…tea? Before you ride, sir?”

“Thank you, no.”

“Forgive me, my lord, but is this a new habit before riding?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Miss Hanniford left a few minutes ago, as well. No tea for her, either.”

“Is that so?” Under those circumstances, Julian didn’t want anything to delay him. “I’ll dine when I return.”

“Very good, sir. With Miss Hanniford, perhaps?”

“Well, Adams, I cannot say. That depends on the lady. I think these American girls do as they wish.”

“You’ve got that right, you do. She left alone, my lord.”

“Did she?” He glanced toward the window, alarmed. “No maid?”

“Nor her cousin, either, sir.”

“I see. Well, thank you. All the more reason why I should hurry in case she should flush out a fox or break a leg.”

“Right you are. I will have the footman lay out the full service, say, in an hour?”

Julian agreed and turned for the stable block.

Carbury had a fine selection of horses and when Julian rode on succeeding days, he’d take more time to choose the best one. For income, he’d recently sold his own best stallion. This morning, he cared not a fig for the biggest or fastest. Two grooms obliged him, saddling up one large black beast, and pointing him in the direction of the lady who’d ridden off minutes ago.

She had ridden east toward a forest glen he knew well because it abutted his own land of Willowreach. The budding branches rustled, dappled by the rays of the rising sun. The path through the thick growth was well-traveled and he was out only half a mile when the stallion he rode came up hard behind her.

She must’ve heard him approach because she looked back, and slowed her mount to a walk. He soon caught up.

“Good morning,” he said, doffing his hat. Sitting side-saddle, she looked like a queen. An uncomfortable one. “You’re up early.”

“As are you.” She nodded and he could not tell if she were happy to see him or not.

“Do you always ride this early?” He would keep this light and friendly.

“When I can.” Her clear sky-blue eyes met his and beneath the navy velvet veil of her hat, she appeared fresh as the dew on the grass, not a hint of rouge or powder to her cheeks nor black to her incredibly long dark lashes.

His body tightened with interest. What a rebuke of his intentions to remain neutral toward her.

“Do you?” she asked.

“Do I what?”

“Ride this early always?”

“No.”

“Are you escaping, too?” she asked, smiling as if they shared a secret.

He chuckled. Perhaps it was so early in the morning, she’d not acquired all her ability to stand off. “Indeed, I am. I’m doing my social duty, but I find it…”

“Tedious?”

Frustrating.

She tipped her chin, the light of teasing in her eyes. “I would imagine you attend many engagements like this.”

“Not if I can help it,” he told her. “Shall we walk on?”

“Of course.” She led her mount to his side and they headed down the lane. “I’ve enjoyed visiting with your sister.”

“Elanna’s a dear.” He was grateful for the new topic. “Everyone likes her.”

“She tells me she must marry soon.”

“Does she? Well, it’s so.”

Lily gazed at him with curiosity. “Do I detect you’re shielding her from Lord Carbury?”

“Obvious, am I?” Had Lily also perceived how intrigued he was with her?

She shrugged. “No. Forgive me if I—”

“You noticed my attention to him. That’s fine.”

She searched his eyes as if to see he spoke the truth, then glanced away. “Carbury seems intent on courting her.”

“He is.” Julian had been fretting about it for days. Now at Lily’s mention of it, his worry doubled. “Too much so.”

“Is there some reason why he does not suit?”

“Yes.”

In the morning light, her exquisite counterpoint of her dark hair and her lustrous pale blue eyes struck him like glorious moonlight. She glanced away. “I’m sorry. I seem to have lost my sense of discretion.”