Page 25 of Surrender to the Earl (Brides of Redemption #2)

“She said she wants to see my home.”

Molly made a dismissive sound.

“It’s a good thing I don’t hold you to a maid’s subservience,” Audrey said dryly. “But also … she seemed concerned about Lord Knightsbridge’s motives, as if she might be trying to put her jealousy aside.”

“You be careful, miss. Miss Blythe has only ever thought of herself, and didn’t care how she hurt you. I can’t believe that’d change so suddenly. I’ll talk to Charlotte and see what she knows.”

“Thank you for your concern, Molly, but since I’ve decided to take chances with life, this is one I can’t let pass. If my sister and I could have some sort of real relationship …” She let the words die as her throat tightened.

“You have a new relationship now, miss,” Molly said with kindness. “You’ll soon have a husband and family of your own.”

Audrey barely withheld her own dismissive sound.

Luncheon was strained, Audrey thought, and it was crazy that both Robert and Blythe found themselves angry on her behalf.

It was all such a new experience for her.

She didn’t know how to handle it, except to charge forward as if it didn’t bother her.

She talked about her tenants and asked both Blythe’s and Robert’s opinions of having a meal for them.

It wasn’t until they were served custard for dessert that Robert gave a sigh and said, “I’ve held my tongue throughout, because I know you like to handle things yourself, Audrey.

But Miss Collins is being a good sport about the fact that Francis didn’t see fit to give her any forks, even when she subtly reminded him. ”

Hot with embarrassment, Audrey turned toward her sister. “Why wouldn’t you tell me this?”

“I didn’t think it very important. The poor young man was obviously nervous about serving an earl.”

“He’s been serving me for days,” Robert said dryly. “I think he was nervous for another reason, one which Audrey wishes to handle on her own.”

“What is going on?” Blythe demanded.

Audrey took a moment, still rather shocked that her sister hadn’t complained—loudly—about the servants’ neglect. “I … don’t really know. The servants seem to have a reason to wish me gone and are doing little things to annoy me.”

“Such servants deserve to be let go,” Robert said.

“But it doesn’t make sense,” Audrey insisted. “They’re a family—it would be terrible if all of them were asked to leave. They could very well starve.”

“Unless they’ve been hiding money away all these years,” Robert pointed out.

“I can’t believe that. What money? The land agent has shown us every penny spent?—”

“And now the ledgers are missing.”

“This cannot be a conspiracy,” Blythe said.

Her voice was full of an amusement that didn’t quite ring true, Audrey thought.

“And why do you say that?” Audrey asked.

“You’ve introduced me to them. With my own eyes I could see their helplessness. Maybe they’re afraid you’re going to let them go and are making mistakes because of it.”

“Just because I’m blind doesn’t mean I can’t understand that something is wrong. I won’t let such behavior continue in my own household. But your reason has merit.”

“Well, it is your decision, of course,” Blythe murmured.

Was her sister backing down from an argument? What was wrong with the world?

“Do you have plans this afternoon?” Blythe asked.

It took Audrey a moment to leave her concerns temporarily behind. “Nothing that cannot wait.”

“I would like to see your gardens. You know how I adore arranging flowers.”

You do? Audrey almost said, and stopped herself. It was a feminine pastime, and perhaps Blythe was still playing up to Robert.

“I’ll leave you ladies to the gardens,” Robert said. “I have ledgers to look for.”

When he had left them, Audrey took her sister’s arm to go outside. She did not remember the last time she’d had to do so. She’d known her way so well around their childhood home.

And as if Blythe were thinking the same thing, she said, “And where is your ever-present Molly?”

“She came down with a terrible fever several days ago.”

Blythe’s arm tensed within Audrey’s. “You had mentioned her illness, but I hadn’t realized it was serious.”

“Don’t worry, she was the only one to take ill, and she is recovering well, just still too weak to perform her usual activities.”

“Then who’s your unofficial secretary?” Blythe asked.

Audrey hesitated. “Lord Knightsbridge graciously offered his assistance.”

She felt Blythe lean forward, heard the sound of the door opening, and then the cool breeze and the sun on her face.

“If you need your shawl …” Audrey began.

“No, I’ll be fine.” Blythe’s voice seemed a bit strained. “This man seems too good to be true.”

“I sometimes think that myself,” Audrey admitted.

“I talked to people in London about him.” Before Audrey could respond, she hastily said, “Oh, look, you have so many azaleas and rhododendrons.”

“But not in bloom at this time of the year. Why did we really come out here, Blythe? Was it simply to be free of Lord Knightsbridge?”

“Don’t you want to know what people are saying?”

Audrey hesitated. “No. Gossip is never a good?—”

“Gossip is unfounded rumors. Facts are … facts. Here, sit down. There’s a bench right behind you.”

Audrey felt it with the backs of her knees and sat, letting go of Blythe’s arm. “Why do you care who I marry, as long as I’m no longer embarrassing you? Or will my being a countess embarrass you even more?”

She wasn’t going to be a countess, of course, but she wanted to hear the truth from Blythe’s own lips.

“You’ve been used by a man before,” Blythe said coolly. “I didn’t think you wanted that again.”

“He’s not using me—in fact, I—” She stopped, biting her lip at what she’d almost revealed.

“You what?”

“We have not set a date, Blythe. I am being patient and learning all I can, and at the same time, I’m enjoying the first freedom of my life. Why are you trying to disrupt that?”

“Disrupt—I’m not!” She sounded honestly bewildered. “But just like Lord Knightsbridge told you about the servants’ treatment of me—because you wanted to know—I have to tell you this. He’s been gone almost his entire adult life, Audrey, and no one really knows him.”

The wind whipped a curl free, and Audrey caught it behind her ear.

“But I’m learning to know him. Doesn’t that count?

Maybe I’m the only one who wants to.” She thought of his kisses, and his honesty about wanting her as a lover.

My heavens, he could have his pick of any woman.

She didn’t have to see his face to know that he desired her?—

But she was conveniently available to him, and he’d already admitted he wanted to help her. She didn’t want to send him away.

“How can you forget about his partner who killed himself?” Blythe demanded. “Did you ask him?”

“No,” Audrey admitted, “not yet. It is so very painful, I imagine.”

“Maybe it isn’t.”

“Blythe,” she said her sister’s name sharply. “Thank you for your concern, but I am handling everything as I see fit.”

“Including marrying a man you don’t love—again.”

Audrey stiffened. “If an earl asked you to marry him, you’d jump at the offer. I know you too well.”

Blythe said nothing.

“Me taking a risk is different, though, isn’t it?”

More silence.

“Let’s walk, shall we? And we can pretend everything between us is fine.”

They walked down a path, and Audrey estimated they were heading toward the pond.

“There’s a man in your gardens,” Blythe said at last.

“Mr. Sanford, the groundskeeper. He is married to the housekeeper.”

“Your little servant family, that’s right. I imagine he must be a helpful fellow. He’s following us about in case we need assistance.”

And Audrey felt a chill that had nothing to do with the approach of winter.