Page 58 of The Earl's Reluctant Artist

By the time he returned to the manor, dusk was fast approaching. He stepped out of the carriage and walked straight past the entrance, the day’s weight already pressing down on him. He just needed to get to his room and have a solid bath.

However, before he reached it, a sound caught his attention. It was a wave of high feminine laughter. One that practically made his heart skip. He hadn’t heard a sound like that in the manor for quite a long time.

Pure unadulterated laughter.

It was far from Evelyn’s sharp and knowing laugh. No, it was something much brighter.

He paused at the drawing room doorway, leaning slightly forward to see.

Inside, Eliza stood near the fireplace, a smile lighting her face as she turned toward him. “You are back,” she said, her voice carrying with it a note that almost startled him.

Beside her, another woman rose from her chair. She was younger than Evelyn, her face open and warm. She dipped into a neat curtsy.

“It is a pleasure to meet you properly at last, my lord. Lady Vale has spoken so much about you, I was beginning to wonder if you existed.”

Tristan allowed himself a brief laugh. “I assure you, I exist.”

“This is Clara,” Eliza said, her eyes shining as she made the introduction. “My dearest friend.”

Tristan lowered his head slightly. “Welcome to Evermere, Lady Clara. How was your journey?”

“Uneventful, thankfully. The roads were clear, though the driver complained of the dust.” Clara’s grin widened. “I ignored him.”

“That was wise,” Tristan said, his mouth twitching with amusement.

For the next few minutes, the three of them spoke about everything and almost nothing at the same time. It wasn’t lost on Tristan, however, just how bright Eliza seemed to be in Clara’s presence. He didn’t even know she was capable of emotions like that, and the knowledge for some reason stirred something in him.

Something he simply refused to acknowledge.

At length, he excused himself. “I shall leave you both to your reunion. If you need anything, the staff will see to it.”

Clara curtsied again. “Thank you, my lord.”

Eliza smiled softly, her gaze following him as he turned away.

Tristan left them in the drawing room and made his way to his chambers as initially intended. The image of Eliza laughing heartily crossed his mind again, and the feeling he had refused to acknowledge faintly resurfaced once again.

And once again, he paid it no mind.

***

Tristan stood before the mirror, fastening the buttons of his coat, and Gideon walked around behind him, adjusting his shoes and placing them appropriately in his wardrobe.

The morning sun filtered in through the tall windows in his chambers and settled on him. A part of him admired how the rays seemed to properly bring out the brown in his hair.

“Where will you be riding today, my lord?” Gideon asked, his voice low and almost casual, though his hands continued to work as fast as they could.

“Nowhere far,” Tristan responded, slipping a sleeve into his coat. “Just a few friends from London. They have not seen the estate, and the woods make for a decent escape.”

“So a derby?” Gideon asked.

Tristan laughed. “It is nothing like a derby, merely a ride to clear their heads.”

Gideon gave a short nod. “And you intend to return by noon?”

“That is the plan. A quick ride there and back. Nothing elaborate.”

He moved toward the mantelpiece, where his pocket watch lay gleaming, while Gideon crossed to the table and retrieved a small box of cufflinks. As he worked them through Tristan’s cuffs, his brow creased.