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D ru decided she would give her full attention to Mr. Harper’s sermon this morning.

Last Sunday, she had foolishly been mooning over Lord Martindale instead of listening to the vicar’s words.

Although she still had feelings for the earl, she did not believe they would ever suit, and she needed to look to her future instead.

She hoped they would continue to explore a friendship between them while she was visiting the neighborhood, one that would continue on to next Season.

She was eager to introduce him to Con and her other cousins, knowing that he was a bit of a loner.

And while it would hurt somewhat, she would do what she could in order to help him secure a bride.

They reached Alderton, and Judson handed both her and Lucy down from the carriage. Immediately, she spied Ariadne and Julian talking with Viscount Tilsbury and Mr. Hollis.

Lucy asked, “Is that Lord Tilsbury’s nephew whom you spoke of?”

Once she had returned from her errand of buying yarn for her sister, she had shared with Lucy that Lord Tilsbury’s nephew had come for an extended visit with his uncle.

“Yes. We should go meet him,” she suggested.

Judson escorted them to where the other four stood, and Mr. Hollis smiled warmly at Dru in recognition.

“Lady Drusilla, how lovely to see you this morning.”

“Good morning, Mr. Hollis. Might I introduce my sister, Lady Huntsberry, and her husband, the Marquess of Huntsberry?”

Mr. Hollis greeted the couple, and Judson said, “We hear you are a solicitor but that you might be considering staying in the neighborhood.”

Mr. Hollis laughed, a deep, rich laugh. “I believe it is a conspiracy, my lord. I fear my uncle has talked to all his friends, far and near, and that they are trying to persuade me to remain in Surrey and give up my London practice.”

Julian spoke up. “It would be a good idea, Mr. Hollis. After all, you will hold the title one day. This could be a time of learning for you, at the hands of an expert, as you get to know your future tenants.”

“I am finding reasons to stay, Lord Aldridge,” Mr. Hollis said, glancing at Dru and then away again.

Was Mr. Hollis becoming enamored of her?

She had thought him quite friendly at the bakeshop yesterday and had wondered if he were interested in her.

Now that it seemed apparent he was, Dru wasn’t certain how she felt about this sudden change of events.

On the one hand, it would be lovely to be close to Lucy and Ariadne.

They had only met, and here she was thinking of marriage with the man. She pushed the thought aside, thinking she was putting the cart before the horse.

“We should go into church,” Ariadne told the group. “I think almost everyone else has already done so.”

They made their way inside and up the aisle to the first couple of pews. A flash of disappointment swept through Dru, seeing Lord Martindale was not present. She wondered how he fared and hoped she might be able to speak with him tomorrow when he came to the first day of harvest at Huntsworth.

As they filed into the pews, she realized Mr. Hollis would be sitting on her left. She decided to keep an open mind about the gentleman, just as Ariadne had encouraged her to do so.

Suddenly, someone slipped into the other side of the pew, taking the seat on her right.

It was Lord Martindale.

Dru’s heart skipped a beat, and she reminded herself that the earl needed a much different lady than herself as his countess.

Wanting to be friendly, however, she turned and smiled at him. “Good morning, my lord.”

Already, she caught a whiff of his cologne, wishing she could move closer to him, then thinking herself ridiculous for such a fanciful notion.

“Good morning, Lady Dru,” he responded, looking curiously to her left, where Mr. Hollis sat.

Before she could introduce the two gentlemen, Mr. Harper approached the pulpit. The congregation rose as the opening hymn began, and she was pleased to see it was “Amazing Grace,” one of her favorites.

The last verse of the hymn ended, and they remained standing as Mr. Harper led them in prayer.

Dru deliberately concentrated on the vicar’s words, quite liking what he spoke of in his sermon this morning.

She had always felt solace fill her anytime she entered a church, and she was determined not to let either gentleman sitting beside her change that.

Today, Mr. Harper spoke of the importance of loving your neighbor as yourself.

She had never given much thought to loving herself.

Yes, she liked who she was and tried to be the best person she could be, but the vicar’s words resonated more with her than ever before.

She accepted that she was different from most other young women in Polite Society.

She hoped she could find a gentleman who would accept her as she was, one who would not be ashamed of her but proud to call her his wife without trying to change her.

Mr. Harper concluded his sermon, and there were more prayers and songs before the service ended. Once it did, Mr. Hollis said to her, “That was an inspiring sermon. Didn’t you think so, my lady?”

“Mr. Harper certainly gave me much to think about. I would like to introduce you to a good friend of my family’s.” She turned and saw the earl solemnly studying Mr. Hollis. “Lord Martindale, this is Mr. Hollis. He is Lord Tilsbury’s nephew and the viscount’s heir apparent.”

They shook hands, and Lord Martindale said, “It is good to meet you, Mr. Hollis. I have the utmost respect for your uncle.”

Mr. Hollis brimmed with enthusiasm, saying, “Uncle has told me so many wonderful things about you, my lord. Might I thank you for your service to king and country as you fought against Bonaparte?”

Dru saw Lord Martindale flinch slightly, but he quickly recovered. “I merely did my duty, Mr. Hollis. No thanks are necessary. Unfortunately, I think it will take many years of numerous campaigns to defeat the Little Corporal.”

By now, people were filing from their pews, and Mr. Hollis turned, following Lucy and Judson from the row.

She did the same, waiting at the end for Lord Martindale, asking, “You are still coming tomorrow for the harvest, aren’t you?”

“I am,” he confirmed. “Lord Huntsberry extended the invitation to me. My own tenants will begin their harvest this coming Wednesday.”

Spontaneously, Dru asked, “Would you care to also come to our harvest celebration? It is to be held outdoors on Wednesday, starting around six o’clock.”

“Will Mr. Hollis be there?”

“Yes. I invited both Lord Tilsbury and Mr. Hollis to join us. Lord Tilsbury has never held such a celebration at the conclusion of a harvest, and Mr. Hollis is new to what happens on a country estate, as he is a solicitor in town.”

“If it is acceptable to Lord and Lady Huntsberry, then I will accept your invitation, my lady.”

They reached Mr. Harper, who stood just outside the door to the church, shaking hands with him.

“I quite enjoyed the topic you spoke on today,” she shared. “Learning to accept—and love—myself is something I hope I can do more of.”

“We are all God’s children, my lady,” the vicar responded. “God made us in His image, and He loves each of us a great deal. Be happy with who you are. Once you have accepted yourself, it is easier to accept, and even love, others.”

She and Lord Martindale moved to where the others stood, and Dru heard Judson say, “If you are not otherwise engaged tomorrow, Mr. Hollis, my steward, is beginning our autumn harvest. Lord Martindale is coming to view our process. I would be happy to have your company, as well.”

Mr. Hollis turned to his uncle. “Would that be acceptable to you?”

“Go and learn all you can, Edward. It would be good for you to see how Huntsworth takes on the task and compare it to what we do on Tilsbury lands next week.”

Mr. Hollis looked to Judson. “Then I am happy to accept your invitation, my lord.”

Lucy spoke up. “My sister told me that she asked if you could join us for the celebration after the harvest is completed, Mr. Hollis. It will be an outdoor harvest ball for our tenants to celebrate the end of the growing season. There will be plenty of food, along with music and dancing. Lord and Lady Aldridge will be attending, as well.” Lucy looked to the earl.

“And we would be honored if you, too, would join us, Lord Martindale.”

“I would be pleased to accept your kind invitation, Lady Huntsberry.”

“Uncle Tilsbury and I look forward to attending, as well,” Mr. Hollis declared.

“I am an old man,” the viscount said. “My dancing days are over and done.”

“You could still come and enjoy watching the dancing, my lord,” Dru encouraged. “And I know you will enjoy the many dishes prepared by Cook and the tenants’ wives.”

“Perhaps I shall, my lady.”

“We must be going,” Ariadne said. “Penelope will be waking from her morning nap soon.” She smiled at Mr. Hollis. “That is our daughter. Penelope will be seven months soon, and she is the apple of our eyes.”

“I am quite fond of children,” Mr. Hollis declared. “My younger brother already has two. Being an uncle has proven to be most delightful. I look forward to having children of my own someday.”

They said their goodbyes and began heading to their various carriages.

Once inside their vehicle, Lucy said, “My, Mr. Hollis is most handsome and so well spoken.” Her gaze met Dru’s. “What do you think of him?”

“I think you are trying to play matchmaker,” she replied, causing Judson to burst out laughing.

“And what if I am?” Lucy asked. “I merely wish for my beloved sister to be as happy as I am with my own husband. Mr. Hollis is not married, and he even mentioned that he looks forward to having children. He may not hold the title yet, but one day he will be a viscount.”

“A viscount who conveniently lives but a few miles from us,” Judson teased.

“I see nothing wrong with simply pointing out to my sister that Mr. Hollis is an eligible man. Besides, if something did come of their pairing, it would mean Dru would be close to us.”

“Lord Martindale is just as close,” Judson pointed out. “I have yet to see you try to match the earl with Dru.”

Dru felt her face grow hot. “Enough talk about marrying me off, Lucy,” she protested. “You are beginning to sound like Mama. Let me merely enjoy my visit to Huntsworth.”

Her sister shrugged. “All I am saying is that there are two eligible bachelors in the neighborhood for you to consider. Why, Mama would have an apoplexy if you did become betrothed before you even made your come-out.”

“Promise me, no more talk of husbands,” she said firmly. “We can discuss the harvest festival instead.”

Lucy mentioned some of the food she had asked Cook to prepare, as well as talking about some of the tenants who played musical instruments and would do so for the dancing on Wednesday evening.

“I am interested in seeing some of the harvest tomorrow, Judson,” Dru told her brother-in-law.

“You are more than welcome to ride out with me and watch some of it, along with our guests.”

“Then I will plan to do so,” she said, eager to see what would happen—and perhaps interested in seeing both Lord Martindale and Mr. Hollis again.