The Secret of Castlegate Manor (5 page)

There was much planning to do and invitations to write. Caroline had little to offer except her willingness to help wherever needed.

Lady Aberly patted her arm. "You just take care for your frock. I am sure we can manage the rest."

Just before lunch, a carriage arrived. Caroline's heart sank as she heard Mr. Humphrey speaking to Edwards in the front hall.

Lady Aberly floated out, determined to behave as a gracious hostess despite her personal feelings. "Why Mr. Humphrey, how kind of you to drop by. Perhaps you will stay for lunch?"

He engaged her with a smile. "I would be honored. I have come to apologize for my beastly behavior last night. I must admit, I hardly remember what was said or done."

Lady Aberly nodded politely. "I am sure you were not yourself. We will not speak of it again. I shall ring for Maggie to tell Cook to prepare an extra dinner."

Mr. Humphrey turned to the young women. "I would like a word with Miss Caroline. Perhaps Maggie would be so kind as to bring some handwork to the garden and complete it out of hearing."

He turned to Lady Aberly. "I assure you there will be no untoward behavior on my part."

Lady Aberly's anxious look at Caroline belied her mild answer. "I am sure that would be acceptable to our guest."

Trapped like a small mouse, Caroline desperately reviewed her choices. She clutched the back of the arm chair. "I fear I am unwell, my lord. The theatre last night tired me more than I expected. Perhaps you would excuse me and we might have our talk another time."

Lord Humphreys's dark features hardened in irritation. However, his station required that his manners respect a lady's delicate constitution.

"As you wish. I shall take my leave and trust you will feel better on my next visit."

"I am sure I shall."

Caroline excused herself to her room, feeling a missed lunch a small price to pay in escape from the overbearing Viscount.

CHAPTER FOUR

In Lady Aberly's enthusiasm, the plans for the upcoming party quickly expanded. The guest list grew as did the need for elaborate preparations. Caroline began to feel rather lost as Lavenia and her mother went about their days in planning for the occasion.

On one such day, Caroline looked out to the stables and found she had a clear view of Geoffrey grooming the beautiful roan horse. Unable to deny her impulse, she decided to see what he could teach her about riding.

His servant status would preclude him from ever telling anyone of influence about any faux pas she might make in her efforts as a horsewoman. And, perhaps, she might ride the roan that she found worthy of admiration.

She broached the need for a riding habit with Lavenia. "I had no need for such attire either in India or London. I shall endeavor to acquire my own outfit on our next trip into Bath. However, I've taken it into my head to go for a ride and wondered if you might have something you could loan me for today."

"Of course."

Lavenia found a dark green velvet riding outfit with a matching top hat and veil. Caroline tried it on in the privacy of her room. She stood in front of her looking glass and twirled the full skirt. She found it fit her suitably well. The color went well with her dark hair and eyes and the skirt pinched in about her slim waist.

She gathered her borrowed riding crop and, followed by the abigail Lavenia had lent for the morning, made her way down the path to the stable. She had been pleased, that in her distraction with the party, Lavenia had shown no interest in joining in the ride.

Her pulse quickened as she spied Geoffrey pitching grass for the stable horses into the corral. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to wonder whether it was the horses or the groom that had really drawn her attention. She put the traitorous thought from her mind as she addressed the tall young groom.

"I'm come for a ride. Would you be so kind as to saddle a horse? I'm afraid I shall need advice and assistance. It has been some time since I have been for a ride."

"I would be most happy to assist you." Geoffrey answered, agreeably securing a plump mare from the corral.

Caroline caught her lip between her teeth. "I had hoped at some point I might ride Victory."

He studied her a moment and Caroline flushed under his candid gaze. "At some point, perhaps. But Victory is a spirited horse for a beginner. I fear you might have difficulty controlling him."

His words seemed to carry an implication that Caroline was unable to discern. "Then I shall accept your advice as to my mount."

Caroline waited in the shade of the path while Geoffrey chose another mare for the abigail and led the horses to be properly saddled.

An altercation in the stable, caught Caroline's attention. An unfamiliar male voice was raised in argument with the old ostler Caroline had met on her first visit to the stable.

After a moment, Geoffrey emerged, seeming unruffled.

She frowned. "Pray, tell me, what that was all about."

Geoffrey held her mount and lifted her into the saddle. Caroline felt her skin tingle at his touch. He had lifted her without effort, as though she were tiny as a child.

Then, peering up to answer, he said, "Mr. Humphrey has employed another groom. He felt we were understaffed even with my arrival. I think he would like to rebuild the stable to its former grandeur should he ever be lord here."

"But the argument?" Caroline persisted.

"The new groom wished to accompany you. However, as we had already settled that arrangement, it required our boss to set things straight."

"I see."

Caroline felt flattered to be the object of interest, even if the two men were below her supposed status.

She held her head high as Geoffrey mounted Victory and, followed by the abigail, they began a sedate walk down the shaded dirt path to the grassland beyond.

When they reached the gently rolling land, Geoffrey turned to say, "I believe we might safely increase your pace to a canter, if you like, Miss. Old Beauty there has a gentle gait."

Caroline laughed. "Beauty, is it? Well, perhaps in her youth."

The fresh air had a relaxing effect, unlike the mounting excitement which permeated the house. She studied Geoffrey under her lashes as he rode along beside her. His speech was proper for that of a groom. He had obviously not gone without education.

"I shall trust you to set the pace," she directed.

Geoffrey urged Victory into a gentle canter. Caroline kept pace while the abigail trotted behind.

Here was a man whom she might have enjoyed keeping company had she come here as a servant. How ironic that, because of her own lie, she would never know if the attraction she felt was genuine. How many fine men might there be who were now below her station?

Her musings were cut short when a loud report tore the peaceful glen. Caroline felt Beauty give a violent lurch before breaking into a terrified run. With no time to consider what had gone wrong, Caroline spent her energy trying to hang onto the frightened creature.

Hooves pounded behind her and she knew, without looking that Geoffrey was in hot pursuit. Even in her terror, she felt an unreasoning assurance that he would be able to save her and stop the run away mare.

She could see him beside her. He reached for her reins just as her horse stumbled. The lurch sent Caroline out of the saddle to tumble onto a grassy knoll.

The reassuring thought that he would still save her was her last memory before she felt the wind knocked from her body and a temporary darkness block all consciousness.

Geoffrey pulled the frightened horses to a halt and sprang from his saddle. Caroline lay crumpled on the ground. He rolled her over gently, his heart in his throat at the sight of her pale face. Her lashes fell in a dark fan on her ivory cheeks.

At that moment, though he had known her only a short time, Geoffrey knew without a doubt that he truly admired her. For the first time, he had found a woman who honestly intrigued him. It seemed a cruel twist of fate that she might be stolen from him just as he recognized how much he wished to know her better.

Above the lace of her habit shirt, he spied the faint pulse that still beat in her slender neck. She roused, opening her eyes, and he knew he had been holding his breath. She stared at him vacantly, then struggled to sit up.

"Not too fast," he cautioned. "You took a nasty fall."

He placed an arm behind her slender back and cradled her against his chest. "Are you in pain?"

She lay against him, trying to regain her sense of balance that had been jolted in the fall. He knew, like a common cad, he was taking advantage of her weakened condition. Still, he loved the lavender scent of her hair, the sweet softness of her body. He felt quite loathe to let her go.

She struggled in his arms. "I do not believe that I have broken any bones."

"Then you are likely just bruised and shaken."

"Perhaps if you would help me to my feet, I could be sure of my situation."

He longed to ignore her protest, sweep her into his arms, and carry her back to the estate. Instead, he would remember his position. He must, he thought wryly. It would be awkward for the old ostler, Carter, if she were to demand Geoffrey's dismissal. He had no choice but to play his part.

He released her and lifted her gently to her feet.

The abigail trotted up. "Are you alright, Miss? I seen the horse take off and you hanging on for dear life. Please tell me you 'aven't broke any bones."

Caroline smiled shakily. "I believe only my dignity has been harmed."

She stared up at Geoffrey with a frown. "What was that noise I heard just before Beauty bolted?"

"It was a gun shot, Miss. No doubt a poacher was hunting rabbit."

"Oh."

Caroline seemed satisfied with his answer as she

brushed grass from her riding skirt. Geoffrey did not believe for a moment it had been a poacher hiding in the bushes. The bullet had likely been meant for him. If so, it would mean he had been found out. He would have to be watchful as he proceeded with his plan.

Caroline straightened her habit. "Does it happen often, this poaching, I mean?"

Geoffrey stared at her full lips that were filled again with color and he longed to taste their sweetness. Forcing himself to meet her eyes he said, "I don't think it has ever happened before. I shouldn't worry about it."

"Is it safe to go back now?"

Geoffrey glanced back to the woods that had concealed their assailant. "I am sure whoever frightened the horses has taken his rabbit and left the woods. However, we will stay far to this side. I am sure we will be quite safe."

He lifted Caroline easily onto her horse, pleased to note that she did not refuse to get back in the saddle. He could not abide women who had hysterics at the slightest provocation. Caroline had a quality of practicality that he found immensely appealing.

They walked the horses back to the stable so as not to jar Caroline's already bruised person. Except for the fall, she had found the mad pelt across the meadow somewhat exhilarating. Her pulse still raced when she remembered Geoffrey riding hard in pursuit. She had come conscious in the warmth of his arms. The security she had felt had been nearly worth the fall.

She glanced beside her to see him riding erect and self-assured in the saddle. His handsome features and confident bearing could pass him off as an aristocrat. If only he could trade places with that annoying Lord Humphrey. She would welcome the attentions of Geoffrey as much as she disliked the attention of the Viscount.

She sighed and scolded herself for such silly thoughts. The penchant she had for engaging in fantasies did her no good. Life was what it was and she would have to live with it. She could not encourage Geoffrey, but neither did she have to give up her riding. She did quite enjoy the sport and, if his company came with it, that was no fault of her own.

At the stables, Geoffrey helped her from her horse. Concern showed in his eyes. "Are you sure you were not injured?"

She smiled into the green inquisition of his gaze. "I am sure. I am also sure that my accident has not put me off of riding. I will keep trying until I learn to sit a horse."

"You did well to stay on as long as you did. You have the making of a fine horsewoman, my lady."

His kind words hung in her mind as she and the abigail walked the path to the house. She walked into the parlour to find Lady Aberly and Lavenia having a late breakfast.

Lady Aberly frowned. "You look a bit rumpled, my dear. I trust you had no trouble with your ride."

Caroline cast a warning glance at the abigail and replied mildly, "The ride was quite invigorating. However, I believe the jaunt in the wind has left me disheveled. If you will excuse me, I shall retire to my room for repairs.

Once sequestered in her quarters, Caroline allowed the chambermaid to help her out of the riding habit and into a day dress of rose muslin. She set the top hat carefully back into the box and surveyed her tousled hair.

Maggie took up a brush and began to smooth the chestnut tangles. Her eyes widened at the bits of grass that fell onto the dressing table. Caroline expected her thoughts had taken a turn in the wrong direction. She did not want to be the subject of speculation of the upstairs servants, even until Lavenia's abigail could put things right.