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D ru was eager to tour Lord Martindale’s property.

She was at her happiest when outdoors, especially if she were riding or gardening.

In fact, she had been the happiest in her life ever since she had come to Surrey, away from her mother and enjoying time with her sister.

It was wonderful being at Huntsworth and seeing her sister so joyful.

Lucy had always wanted to wed and have children, and her dreams were coming true.

The fact that Lucy had such a wonderful husband in Judson only made the marriage richer.

She also liked being near Ariadne and Julian.

Her cousin was kind and intelligent, and she had told Dru all about the orphanage she and Julian ran in town.

Dru was hoping to go into town on one of the weekly trips Ariadne and Julian made so she could see Oakbrooke Orphanage and meet some of the children.

It was fun getting to know Ariadne again after having met her so many years earlier.

That might be one good reason to attend the Season next spring.

Val would be in attendance, and he would bring his sisters Tia and Lia with him, according to letters Ariadne had received from her three siblings and mother.

Dru remembered how much fun Val was to be around, and the twins were only a year older than she was.

Also, her cousin Hadrian, who was at university, would also come to town after he graduated, which she thought might happen next spring.

That would make for a good majority of her cousins in town, which was reason enough to make her come-out.

Dru reasoned just because she traveled to town and attended events of the Season, it did not mean she would have to select a husband.

Unless Mama chose one for her. From what Lucy said, that might very well have happened to her. It was only the unique situation Lucy found herself in that led to her marriage to Judson.

Could Dru risk going to town and enjoying the time with her cousins, along with the new friends she would make at the social affairs, and still remain unwed?

She wished she knew more of what Mama had on her mind.

Perhaps she could talk Con into wheedling the information from their mother.

Mama had always favored Con over Lucy and her.

If anyone could discern what Mama had in mind, it would be Con.

Her brother might feel lonely next Season because Val, his closest friend, would be hunting for a wife.

Con did not want a wife until he came into his own title, and Dru couldn’t blame him for that.

If Con wed, he and his bride would most likely move into Papa’s townhouse during the Season instead of residing in the rooms Con and Val had shared.

They would also, more than likely, come home to Somerset and live at Marleyfield.

That would be hard on the couple, with Mama’s tendency to dominate everything.

Con wouldn’t have any authority on the estate, and his wife wouldn’t be allowed to run any part of the household.

No wonder her brother had decided to put marriage aside until he became the earl of Marleyfield.

She couldn’t help but think that Lord Martindale would also go to town next spring to look for his own bride.

Dru liked him quite a bit, even if he leaned on the shy side.

She thought they were becoming friends. Goodness knew he needed some.

He had already shared that he didn’t have many friends while at school.

Any friends he had made during his army days had been left behind.

And then there was his awful mother. Lady Martindale had a tongue even sharper than Dru’s own mother, and she wasn’t hesitant about using it—or letting her opinions be known. Something told her that Mama and Lady Martindale were not friends, or even friendly. They were too much alike.

That caused her to giggle as she climbed from bed and dressed for the day, Toby lazily watching her before he concentrated on cleaning his face with his paws.

She didn’t ring for Annie since she would be riding, putting on a shirt and breeches.

Lady Martindale would be knocked over by a feather if she saw Dru’s riding attire.

Actually, so would her own mother. Mama and Papa did not know how she dressed during the months they were gone to town for the Season.

It was an unspoken agreement that none of their servants tattled on her.

They, along with Con and Lucy, had always been protective of Dru.

She hoped Lord Martindale wouldn’t judge her harshly for her attire. He did not seem to be the type who would do so, but she would soon see. If he felt uncomfortable, she would come inside and change.

Sitting at her dressing table, she brushed out her long locks and then braided them in a single braid, tying a ribbon at the top and one at the bottom for a feminine touch. The last thing she did was slip on her riding boots, made just like a man’s, and the most comfortable footwear she owned.

Dru went downstairs to the breakfast room, finding Judson and Lucy talking and eating.

“Are you going riding this morning?” her sister asked.

“Lord Martindale is coming over to meet me. He offered to give me a tour of Beauville.”

Lucy studied her a moment. “You are enjoying being in his company, aren’t you?”

She thanked the footman who placed a cup of tea before her.

“Yes, very much so. He can be a little on the quiet side, but when it is just the two of us, he is more talkative.” She paused.

“I think the war affected him greatly. He is in need of a few friends. That is why I want to encourage Judson and Julian to start up a friendship with him, especially after I am gone.”

“I would also like to see his estate,” Judson said. “Perhaps I could go along with you today.”

For a moment, disappointment flashed through her. Dru wasn’t certain why it did.

“No, you cannot do so today,” Lucy told her husband. “The doctor is coming to examine me for the first time around eleven o’clock. I want you here in case you have any questions for him.”

He took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it tenderly. “You are right, love. I had forgotten. I suppose I can ask Martindale to take me about another time. Ask him about it if you would, Dru. Tell him I would return the favor and show him Huntsworth.”

“I will do so,” she promised, tucking into her eggs.

She finished her breakfast and went to the library, one of her favorite rooms at Huntsworth, and read for an hour before making her way down to the stables.

“Good morning, Harry. I am to ride with Lord Martindale today and see his estate. Would you please saddle a horse for me?”

“Right away, my lady,” the groom said. “I’ll bring the mount out to you.”

She returned outside, thinking it a glorious day. Only a few clouds were present, with only the slightest of breezes. The temperature was mild, but it would definitely heat up as the day went on.

Scanning the horizon, she spied a rider and supposed it was Lord Martindale. Harry appeared with her horse, leading it to the mounting block, and Dru took hold of the saddle horn and tossed her leg over, sitting astride. Harry handed her the reins, and she waited for Lord Martindale to arrive.

The earl pulled up as he reached her. “You are... in breeches,” he said, looking perplexed.

“Have I shocked you, my lord? I can always go inside and change if you are uncomfortable with my appearance.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “No, my lady. In fact, I think it quite practical of you. That—and riding astride. Surely, it has to be more comfortable for your back.”

“It is,” she agreed. “I was taught to ride sidesaddle, but I soon learned riding as a man is infinitely better for both control and comfort. The same with breeches. I have worn them for years.” She grinned. “At least, during the time my parents are away from Marleyfield.”

His eyes crinkled as he smiled, making him quite attractive. “It reminds me of the famous idiom—while the cat’s away, the mice shall play.”

Dru laughed. “Exactly. I would never have Mama’s approval to don breeches. The servants and my siblings are all in the conspiracy with me. No one has ever let the cat out of the bag, to use another famous saying.”

“And how is Toby this morning?” Lord Martindale asked. “As long as we are speaking of cats.”

“I left him on my bed, washing his face,” she told him. “Sometimes, I place him in a sack for him to come riding with me. I decided to leave him behind today, though. Shall we go?”

“Certainly.”

She nudged her horse and began to canter.

Lord Martindale fell into place beside her.

They rode in companionable silence across Huntsworth lands and into Alderton, traveling down its main thoroughfare.

They slowed their horses to a walk in the village, picking up speed once again when they left.

Soon, they were at the edge of Beauville.

Dru pulled up on the reins, stopping, and Lord Martindale did the same.

“How did Beauville come by its name? I would think your country estate would be Martinville. Or Martin Manor. Something to do with your title.”

“My last name is Beaumont,” he shared. “The place name must come from the family surname. That is a good question, though. I will have to check the estate’s records and see if I can discover who named the property and when they did so.

Perhaps you can come back to the house with me, and we might look together.

There are all kinds of old books related to the estate in my library. ”

“You said the magic word,” she told him. When he looked puzzled, she said, “Library. While I prefer being outdoors, my favorite inside hobby is that of reading. A library always feels like home to me.”

“I told you I was a lover of books. I enjoyed reading about military history most of all, though I do have a fondness for Shakespeare’s plays.” He smiled. “Especially the history ones.”