The Lady's Second-Chance Suitor by Scott, Regina (christmas read aloud txt) 📗

Rob rose to go find his sister. Bascom, on duty by the frontdoor, pointed him to the withdrawing room Rob’s mother had favored.

“She is entertaining, my lord,” he explained. “Mr. Donnercalled.”

“Did he?” The words must have come out more growl than heintended, for the footman blanched.

Rob took the stairs two at a time and plowed into thewithdrawing room just as Donner reached for his sister’s hand. The fellowyanked back his fingers as if he’d been burned.

“Rob,” Elizabeth greeted him. “You remember Mr. Donner.”

“Donner, Donner,” Rob mused, moving to stand in front of them.“It’s been so long. Have we met recently?”

Donner had the good sense to color. “Forgive me, my lord. Iwas detained.”

Elizabeth glanced between them. “I don’t understand. Wereyou expecting Mr. Donner to call, Rob?”

“Frequently,” Rob said. “On your feet, sir. I have words foryou.”

“Rob, no!” Elizabeth surged up in a rustle of lavendermuslin as her would-be beau stood as well. “He’s done nothing wrong.”

“We’ll see about that,” Rob said. “My study, sir. Now.”

He turned and stalked from the room.

Donner must have followed, for he was on Rob’s heels as Robpushed open the door to the study and motioned him inside.

“Nicely done,” Donner said as he closed the door behind him.“You sound exactly like an over-protective brother.”

“Because I am an over-protective brother,” Rob informed him.“I told you to leave my sister out of this, yet you persist in furthering thetale of your interest in her.”

Donner shook his head. “Your sister cares nothing for me. Iknow how these flirtations go. I’m merely someone to enliven her time inrustication.”

The truth bit hard. He’d used Hester in just such a way. Buthis sister was someone else entirely.

“You’re wrong,” Rob told him. “If my sister shows interestin you, it is because she is interested in you. We neither of us haveever considered station more important than character and commitment.”

He paled. “I see. Then I apologize, my lord. I would neverwant to see your sister hurt.”

“On that we agree. So I will ask your intentions.”

He reared back. “My intentions? You’d allow me to haveintentions?”

Rob rolled his eyes. “My opinion on the matter has nobearing whatsoever. It is what Elizabeth wants that counts. If my sister wouldwelcome a courtship, would you be willing to entertain one?”

“No, certainly not. But she wouldn’t, she couldn’t. I’m notworthy of her.”

“It seems we agree on that as well.”

When Donner dropped his gaze and shuffled his feet, Robsighed. “Oh, sit down, man. I need your attention on a matter of more interestto the War Office.”

His head snapped up. “The Lord of the Smugglers hasapproached you.”

“Two possible Lord of the Smugglers have approached me,” Robinformed him, going for his desk. “Even though I have been assured the fellowwas captured months ago.”

“You speak of Henry Bascom,” Donner said, taking the seatopposite him. “Some here considered him the Lord of the Smugglers, but we inthe War Office quickly determined he wasn’t our man.”

“How?” Rob demanded, leaning both hands on the desk.

Donner’s smile was smug. “Information continued to flow, allattributed to this puffed up brigand.”

“Could someone else have assumed his mantle?” Rob asked.

“Possibly. Regardless, the fellow is not to be trusted.”

“Then we need to determine which one is our man,” Rob said.

Donner nodded. “I’ll alert the War Office, see if any newinformation has come to light. In the meantime, keep your eyes open, my lord.Together, we will catch the villain in the act.”

Chapter Twelve

Hester wasn’t certain how she’d functionuntil Saturday, so great was her anticipation at meeting Rob. At least teachingon Friday kept her mind occupied. She and Mrs. Mance organized a spellingcompetition that had the children shouting out answers for a chance to be namedthe winner. A few people in the village had complained to the rector that thechildren didn’t need to know how to write, but she and Rosemary had agreed thatreading, and writing, were important, whatever occupation a person might somedaypractice.

Saturday at half-past eleven, she was waiting on the coastpath, perched on her sidesaddle atop a bay mare she had borrowed from the UpperGrace livery stable, sharp, briny breeze tugging at her navy riding skirts. Shehadn’t wanted to lie to her mother again, so she’d confided she was goingriding with Rob. Her mother had been elated.

“Borrow your sister’s hat,” she’d advised. “The tall-crownedone wrapped in tulle with the crimson band.”

“That hat is probably sitting somewhere in Castle How,”Hester had reminded her, “if Rosemary didn’t take it on her honeymoon. I’m justthankful my riding habit still fits. It’s been a long time since I rode forsport.”

Her mother had been teary-eyed once more as Hester had left.Why had she allowed the dear lady to get her hopes up? It was just a ride.

Yet it felt like so much more.

She shook her head. It might be just the two of them, but itwas hardly intimate. They were out of doors, along a path frequented byfarmers. And this heavy-boned mare with her long legs could probably outrunanything he had brought with him from London, so she could escape whenever sheliked.

Still, all at once, it was seven years ago, and she waswaiting for him to come to her across the Downs.

When he appeared, her heart soared.

He too had forsaken a hat, so that the breeze brushed histawny hair back from his face. His crimson riding coat was tailored to givethose broad shoulders room to move, and the chamois breeches hugged his legs.Her pulse was pounding faster than his horse’s hooves as he drew near andreined in.

“Good day, Hester,” he called, smile warmer than the simplewords warranted. “Fine day for a ride.”

“At the moment,” she allowed. She tipped her chin down theChannel, toward where the Isle of Portland could be seen jutting out into theblue-grey waters. “But see those clouds to the west? We’ll have rain bytonight.”

“Then we should enjoy ourselves while we can,” he said.“Which way would you care to go?”

West took them entirely too close to home. “East,” she said,and they set off at a walk across the browning grasses. A tree here and therereveled in its autumn color, saffron and