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He worked for several more hours before excusing himself.

While the workers would continue toiling until sunset, Perry needed to return to the house in order to clean up for tonight’s festivities at Huntsworth.

He entered the kitchens, asking that water for a bath be heated and sent to his bedchamber.

In his room, he stripped off his dirty, sweat-stained clothes, leaving them in a heap on the floor as he rang for Grilley.

His valet scrubbed him from head to toe and then shaved him, something needed since he had two days’ growth of beard. Grilley then dressed Perry, and while sore from today’s strenuous labor, he felt a deep satisfaction within him.

“I most likely will return late, Grilley. No need to wait up for me. I will undress myself and place my clothes over the chair.”

“If you are certain, my lord.”

“I am. Take a little time for yourself.”

Grilley grinned. “In that case, I might go into the village and have a glass or two of ale. There’s a pretty barmaid at the tavern who is interesting to talk with.”

Perry laughed aloud. “Enjoy yourself, Grilley. You don’t do that often enough.”

The servant said, “I would say the same to you, my lord. I know the war was hard on you, but being back at Beauville has done both of us a world of good. Enjoy the food and dancing this evening.”

The valet left the room, while he went to the stables. He saw no need to have his carriage prepared and merely asked a groom to saddle his horse for the short ride to Huntsworth.

He arrived at Lord Huntsberry’s stables and Harry, one of the grooms, greeted him.

“Ready for the feasting, my lord?” he asked cheerfully.

“I most certainly am. I helped harvest my own crops today and am ravenous. Will you be attending the celebration?”

The groom nodded enthusiastically. “Lord and Lady Huntsberry said tonight is not only for their tenants but their servants, as well. The entire staff will be heading out to eat and make merry.” Harry added, “There’s a scullery maid I’ve had my eye on for quite a while.

I hope I will be able to dance with her tonight. ”

“Then good luck to you,” Perry said, leaving the stables and heading toward the lawn in front of the house.

He yawned, realizing he was exhausted, and decided he would stay long enough to eat and then make his way back to Beauville and his bed.

His aching muscles would thank him for a bit of extra rest, and he prayed he was fatigued enough that the night would be free of dreams.

The first thing he spied, other than the large crowd gathering, were numerous tables laden with food. He took the time to walk up and down the various rows, making note of what dishes were being served to the crowd. Lady Dru joined him, causing his heart to speed up.

“Good evening, Lord Martindale. I am delighted you made time to celebrate with us this evening. You seem particularly interested in the food being served.”

She was wearing a pretty gown of pale pink, having abandoned the breeches he had seen her in on Monday. Perry almost preferred her in breeches because they showed off her long legs and rounded buttocks to perfection.

“I am perusing the items being served because I spoke with my own cook today about Beauville hosting a similar type of celebration to recognize the gathering of our crops. I am to report back to Cook tomorrow morning about what was served this evening.”

“Would it be helpful if our cook sent a list to yours? I know she and Lucy met several times and discussed what would be served tonight.”

“That would be very helpful, my lady.”

“Then I will copy Cook’s list first thing tomorrow morning and ride over to deliver it to your cook.”

“You do not have to do so. Send a messenger with it.”

She smiled at him, a radiant one which warmed him from the inside, spreading through him slowly. “You know I enjoy riding. It would be my pleasure to bring the list in person. Perhaps I might even stop and see—”

“There you are, Lady Drusilla,” Mr. Hollis interrupted, nodding at Perry. “Lord Martindale.”

The buoyancy Perry had felt left him. “Mr. Hollis,” he said, keeping his voice neutral because he did not like this fellow.

Oh, it wasn’t that. Hollis was a good enough sort and would most likely make for an honorable viscount.

It was merely jealously rearing its ugly head that caused his dislike of this man.

“Did Lord Tilsbury come with you?” Lady Dru asked brightly.

“He did indeed, my lady, and he is asking for you. If you would like, I can escort you to him so that the two of you might speak with one another.”

She glanced to him. “Would you excuse us, Lord Martindale?”

“Certainly, my lady.”

Perry watched her leave, seeing her slip her hand through the crook of Hollis’ arm.

He told himself he must let go of all feelings he possessed for her.

A match with Hollis would be ideal for Lady Dru.

He could not stand in the way. He simply was not worthy of her.

His soul had been damaged beyond repair.

She needed a man who would not hold her back or dim her spirit, not one lacking in so many ways, as he was.

Lord and Lady Huntsberry joined him, and the marquess said, “Thank you for coming this evening, Martindale, especially since I know you began your own harvest this morning.”

He was growing fond of the marquess and smiled as he said, “We did, my lord. My aching muscles can attest to that. I must say that I followed your example and worked in the fields with my tenants. They seemed appreciative of my presence. I am weary, however, so I will only stay for a short while this evening.”

The couple excused themselves, and Perry went back to looking over the food items to be served, knowing his knowledge, along with the list from the Huntsworth cook, would aid his own cook in putting together a decent feast.

A few minutes later, Lord Huntsberry addressed those gathered, thanking everyone for their hard work, and then raising his mug of cider, offering a toast for a bountiful year and for years to come.

Perry joined others in the line, heaping food upon his plate, and then he went to sit with Lord and Lady Aldridge at a nearby table. Lord Aldridge had a babe sitting upon his knee, looking perfectly at ease.

“Ah, good to see you, Martindale,” the marquess said. “I would like to have you meet our daughter, Lady Penelope Barrington.”

The babe looked at Perry with wide, curious eyes. Then she cooed in such an engaging manner that he felt his heart melt.

“She is quite beautiful,” he told the couple.

“Penelope is also very smart,” Aldridge said, causing his wife to laugh. “Well, she is,” he insisted.

“Forgive my husband,” Lady Aldridge said. “He is besotted with his child. I think I am going to have to give him more simply because I do not wish for Penelope to be utterly spoiled by her father.”

The marquess gave his wife such a heated look, it took Perry aback.

“We can go home now, my love, if that is what you wish.”

Again, Lady Aldridge laughed. “We shall stay long enough to dance at least once, my lord. Then we will see.” Her eyes lit with mischief.

The powerful love between this couple was palpable. And it only made Perry more miserable, wishing he could have this kind of relationship with Lady Dru. If only he weren’t so marred by his war experiences, he would leap at the chance to woo her.

He did enjoy the time he spent in the Aldridges’ company, however, and answered the marquess’ questions about how Beauville’s harvest had gone today.

“My steward thinks we can easily finish by the end of tomorrow,” he shared. “Of course, we have a large grove of apple trees, and those must be plucked come October.”

“Oh, I do love a good apple tart,” Lady Aldridge said. She looked over her shoulder when a fiddle sounded. “I believe the dancing is about to begin. The musicians must be tuning their instruments.”

Lord Aldridge asked, “Would you hold Penelope during our dance, my lord? We did not bring her nursery governess along.” He grinned. “I wanted my two loves all to myself tonight.”

Perry had been surprised by the fact that the babe had remained in her father’s lap the entire time they ate and was even more surprised that the couple had not brought along a servant to watch over the infant.

Lady Aldridge must have sensed his hesitation. “It is quite all right if you are not comfortable doing so, my lord.”

“No,” he assured her, knowing she deserved a dance with her husband. “Though I have yet to hold a babe, I have watched your husband do so. I think I can manage Lady Penelope for a few minutes on my own.”

The child was growing sleepy, blinking, taking longer each time to hold her eyes open.

Lord Aldridge stood and passed his daughter to Perry, instructing him how to hold her head in the crook of his arm and to always support her back and neck.

“Go have your dance, Aldridge,” he encouraged, watching the couple leave the table, even as Lady Aldridge turned over her shoulder and mouthed a thank you to him.

For his part, Perry was enthralled as Lady Penelope drifted off to sleep. She was warm in his arms and had a unique smell he had never encountered before. Her long lashes rested against smooth, porcelain cheeks. Everything about her was tiny and perfect.

The music started, and he glanced up, seeing a few farmers with instruments in hand.

Groups of couples had come together for the country dance the musicians played.

His eyes were drawn to the set of four couples Lady Dru was a part of.

Naturally, Mr. Hollis had partnered with her, and Perry tamped down the instant envy that rose within him.

They were a handsome couple as they danced together. Lady Dru was tall for a woman, only a few inches shorter than Mr. Hollis. Both were energetic and excellent dancers. Wistfulness rose within him, knowing this woman could never be his.

Glancing back to Lady Penelope, he told the babe, “I hope you will find a gentleman to love you as much as your papa loves your mama.”

And as much as I love Drusilla Alington...

He kept his eyes fastened upon the babe after that, finding it hurt too much to watch Lady Dru enjoying herself so much with another man.

The tune ended, and the Aldridges returned to him, the marquess possessively lifting his daughter from Perry’s arms.

“See, she did not break,” his wife teased. “Thank you, Lord Martindale, for allowing us a dance. It is time for us to leave so Penelope might go to bed.”

From the look he saw in Lord Aldridge’s eyes, the marquess would be eager to take his daughter to the nursery in order to spend the rest of the night with his wife.

He bid them goodnight, ready to head home himself, when Lady Dru appeared before him. Perry rose quickly.

“You did not dance, my lord,” she chided gently.

“I had better things to occupy my time,” he said lightly. “I was watching over Lady Penelope while her parents had a dance together.”

Her eyes softened. “That was kind of you to do so.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, it offered a new experience for me. I had never held a babe before. I found I could do so without breaking her.”

“See, if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything,” she teased, laughing, and he joined in. “Come, my lord. You must dance at least once with me.”

“I am fatigued, my lady. I have been up since well before dawn and spent the day in the fields at Beauville, assisting my tenants in the harvest. I should be going.”

“One dance,” she begged.

And Perry knew he could not resist.

“One dance,” he agreed, leading her to where groups were forming.

He promised himself this one dance, and then he would leave. If something were to develop between Lady Dru and Mr. Hollis, tonight would be a good time to encourage that flame be fanned. He did not wish to stand in their way.

The music began, and Perry was lost in the music—and Lady Dru’s eyes.