Sweating, he shoved away his half-eaten breakfast.
“Perhaps it’s something you and Susan ate that has you both feeling poorly,” Rebecca remarked.
Irritated by the hint of sarcasm in her voice, he made his excuses and set off to find Rogerson. A day spent riding around the estate would clear his head and give him a chance to confirm Clifton Heights had adequate facilities to set up a small breeding operation. He’d originally planned to transport Orion to London once he got the stallion in his clutches. However, the difficulties involved were daunting and the horse might not survive such a journey. He shuddered to think of the condition Orion might have been in if he’d been shipped to Tattersalls in the van as originally planned. Susan had done him a bloody favor!
Looking to the future, if Orion sired foals worthy of his bloodlines, it would be an easier matter to get them to his stables in London, although there was probably a sizable market for purebred horses in the increasingly wealthy northern counties. Susan had been right in that regard as well, which was of no consolation. Confound the woman and her brilliant ideas.
*
Susan had alwaysbeen a decisive person. The idea of hiding in her room at Clifton Heights was ridiculous. She was a woman who tackled problems head on.
However, the problem of Griff Halliwell was too overwhelming to even contemplate.
Her path in life had been mapped out years ago. She’d always seen herself as a doting spinster aunt, respected far and wide for her intellect and dedication to causes that mattered—like her mentor, Hannah More.
Griff’s kiss rendered that future lonely and barren. After her father’s rejection, she’d clad herself in the armor of a nonconformist—a bluestocking who laughed in the face of societal censure. A woman who didn’t need or want a husband and family. She had Emma and Gabriel and Patsy and Rafe and Rebecca.
Griff had pierced the armor. It beggared belief that a man she didn’t even like…
She scoffed at the lie. God help her, she craved the rogue. She’d fallen so easily into his trap. Clearly, a man like Griff would never be genuinely interested in her. Orion was the prize he sought. He was probably laughing smugly at her response to his kisses. Her breasts swelled just thinking about his touch.
Gritting her teeth, she steeled herself for a confrontation and entered the dining room.
She was both relieved and stupidly disappointed to learn from Rebecca that Griff had gone riding and wasn’t expected back until later in the afternoon.
*
Satisfied with theafternoon’s thorough inspection of the Pendlebury estate, Griff thanked his new manager as they dismounted in the stables. “So, you agree we could fence off an area in the lower fields that would be suitable for the actual breeding.”
“Yes, my lord,” Rogerson replied. “The stables are more than adequate to accommodate your clients’ mares. However, I confess I’m not the man to oversee such an enterprise.”
Griff handed the reins to a groom. “No worries. I’ve written to my chap in London. If Glazebrook wants to move back to Lancashire, the job’s his. If not, we’ll find someone, I’m sure.”
“He’s from here, is he, my lord?”
“Indeed. I took Tom with me when I moved to London, but I suspect he’s still a Lancashire lad at heart.”
The crunch of carriage wheels on the drive distracted Griff’s attention from whatever reply Rogerson was about to offer. He took his leave and hurried to the house, dismayed to see the Farnworth coat of arms on the side of the black carriage grinding to a halt. He’d apparently alienated Susan sufficiently for her to send for a vehicle to take her home.
As he bounded up the steps, it occurred to him that scenario was impossible. She’d hardly had time to get word to Thicketford Manor so quickly.
Potts greeted him at the open door, eyeing the bewigged footman in Farnworth livery who followed up the steps.
The fellow bowed. “James Footman, my lord. The Earl and Countess of Farnworth sent me with a message for Lady Susan.”
Griff breathed more easily—unless his fellow earl meant to chastise Susan for staying too long at Clifton Heights.
“You may wait in the foyer,” Potts instructed him. “I’ll fetch Lady Susan.”
Griff preceded the footman into the house, his heart doing a strange flip when he saw Susan striding into the foyer.Never a shrinking violetwas his first thought. Resilience, curiosity and courage were traits he’d never thought to admire in a woman but grudgingly admitted they were aspects of Susan’s character that appealed to him. He ought to have faced her earlier and discussed what had happened instead of running away from a confrontation. But then, what would he have said? To his relief, she bestowed a weak smile on him before acknowledging the visitor. Her puzzled frown indicated she hadn’t expected anyone from Thicketford Manor.
James Footman handed her a note. “I’m to await your response, my lady,” he said politely.
Griff breathed again when her face brightened as she read the missive.
“Gabriel and Emma plan to host a ball,” she explained to Mrs. Waterman who’d followed close behind.
“Splendid,” her friend exclaimed.