Upon entering the drawing room, he was dismayed to find only the countess and the older woman he’d seen earlier. It was a relief Lady Susan was absent, but where was the earl?
The countess’ pursed lips indicated she remembered their last meeting outside the court. He wondered if Lady Susan had shared his flippant remarks. Of course, he hadn’t known the identity of the blonde at the time. “Thank you for agreeing to see me,” he said formally, ready to bestow a gentlemanly kiss of greeting on her ladyship’s knuckles.
“My husband is not at home,” she replied, both fists clenched at her sides. “May I present Mrs. Waterman, my husband’s mother.”
He bowed, though she evidently wasn’t a person of rank. “Mrs. Waterman.”
“My lord earl,” the unsmiling mother-in-law replied with a nod.
“Please take a seat,” Lady Farnworth said. “Can I offer you brandy?”
The distinctly unfriendly tone of voice made it clear she hoped he would decline both offers. He got the feeling the countess was nervous—surely he hadn’t made such a bad impression outside the court. Wishing with all his heart he had waited until the morrow to call, Griff soldiered on. “As you know, I’m in the area on a…er…legal matter.”
Cursing himself for a complete fool, he cleared his throat and tried again. “While I’m in Lancashire, I was hoping to meet with your husband. I’m in need of advice regarding the management of my…”
“Mummy, mummy!”
Startled by the interruption, Griff swiveled his head to the doorway at the same moment the countess sprang forward like a horse out of the starting gate. A bright-eyed little girl clad in night attire stood in the doorway.
“Mummy,” she repeated. “I was watching through my window. Daddy and Aunty Susan are home with the new racehorse.”
Welcome Home, Orion
Susan was soexhausted, she was afraid her legs would buckle once she got off the horse. An hour into the endless ride from Chester, she’d given up trying to protect the bare skin of her calves from the chilly air.
The journey had shredded her nerves. They’d been forced to make frequent stops to water the horses and to calm the snorting Orion. It was a miracle his powerful back legs hadn’t splintered the rear door of the wooden box.
Bradley had gone off to rouse the stable lads and Gabriel was unhitching his tired horse from the van.
It seemed unlikely anyone was coming to Susan’s aid. The alternative was to slide to the ground. Plucking up the courage to lift her leg over the horse’s rump, she stopped short when she became aware of a man staring at her.
A shiver of recognition raced through her body, though it was difficult to see in the dimly lit stable yard.
It can’t be.
But it was. The absentee earl who didn’t give a fig about anything except horses was somehow at Thicketford Manor.
“Allow me,” Pendlebury said, his gaze lingering over her bare calves as he reached up to grasp her waist.
The only coherent thought in her head was that if she didn’t accept his help, she’d likely crumple in a heap on the cobblestones. She gripped his shoulders as he hauled her off the horse. As she feared, her trembling legs turned to jelly and she collapsed against him.
An errant thought occurred as his warmth seeped into her cold limbs. This was the plan, wasn’t it? Make him think she was impressed with the broad chest, the powerful thighs braced against hers, the musky aroma of expensive cologne and…
“You needn’t bat your eyelashes at me, Lady Susan Crompton,” he said, a smirk of amusement spoiling the appeal of tempting lips…
Stop it.
“I was not batting,” she insisted, pushing him away. She swayed, instantly missing the strength of his support.
“Pendlebury,” Gabriel declared, thankfully taking hold of Susan’s elbow when he arrived on the scene. “I thought I recognized you.”
“Farnworth,” the earl replied, extending a hand. “Forgive my dropping in unannounced. I’m staying with Whiteside and wanted to discuss a few matters with you.” He cocked his head toward the van as Gabriel shook his hand. “I see you’re busy. Perhaps I should come back on the morrow?”
Light flooded the yard as agitated stable boys arrived to set wall torches ablaze. One led away the weary horses that had traveled all the way from Chester.
Griff followed when Gabriel escorted Susan to the rear of the van. “It’s no bother. In fact, we might need your expertise. Lady Susan bought a racehorse in Chester, but coaxing him out of this contraption could prove challenging. He hasn’t enjoyed the journey.”
Susan derived enormous satisfaction from Pendlebury’s worried frown. If he clenched his jaw any tighter it might snap.