by pale green velvet draperies. A huge four-poster bed dominated the room, the elegant counterpane made of alabaster satin embroidered with gilt thread. An escritoire sat near the window, inviting one to write letters while looking out over the verdant landscape.
'Beautiful,' Allie said, turning in a slow circle.
Caroline indicated a long cord near the head of the bed. 'If you need anything, day or night, just pull that cord.' Caroline's smile dimmed as her glance flickered down to her black clothing. ' Elizabeth did not mention you'd suffered a recent loss… I'm so sorry.'
Warmth crept up Allie's neck. She hated lying, but in some cases, the truth was worse. 'My loss is not recent. It's been three years since my husband…' She allowed her words to fade off, rationalizing, as she had for a long time now, that if someone drew the incorrect conclusions, that was hardly her fault, and it kept her from telling an outright lie.
Caroline instantly looked distressed. 'Forgive me. I did not mean to pry or bring up sad memories.' Crossing the room, she clasped Allie's hands. 'But we intend to see to it that you are very happy during your stay. Do you ride?'
'Yes. In fact, I enjoy it very much.'
'Then I suggest, given the lovely weather, we take a ride while the gentlemen play billiards. Do you have a riding habit?'
Embarrassment heated Allie's face. 'I’m afraid not.' She looked down at her black gown. 'Can I not wear this?'
'Oh, yes,' Caroline assured her hastily. 'It's just a shame to risk one's everyday clothing to the dirt and odors of riding.' She looked her up and down. 'We are of a similar height and size. I would be happy to lend you one of my riding ensembles.' Before Allie could object, Caroline added, 'While I do not have a black one, I have a dark brown one.'
Allie hovered on the brink of indecision. She should not, of course, borrow someone else's clothing. But the temptation to wear something other than black… to throw off the outward mantle of mourning, to go out into the sunshine and ride with this lovely, smiling, friendly woman who had the same eyes as Robert, was nearly overwhelming. But something inside her knew that once she took that irrevocable first step, there would be no turning back.
'Thank you, but I'll wear one of my older gowns,' she said before she could change her mind and give in to the need.
Caroline squeezed her hands, then headed toward the door. 'The offer stands, should you reconsider. I'll change and meet you back here in thirty minutes?'
'All right.'
Caroline smiled at her from the doorway. 'I'm so glad you're here, Allie. I promise we'll keep you occupied until Elizabeth is back on her feet. Perhaps by the time we return from our ride, the babe will have arrived. Wouldn't that be wonderful?'
A new baby… Allie slapped back the wistful longing that threatened to sneak up on her. 'Yes.'
With a smile and a wave, Caroline departed and Allie wandered to the window. Her bedchamber faced the front of the estate. Verdant lawns stretched around a seemingly endless curve of tree-lined drive. The cheerful song of chirping birds sounded from the trees, and leaves shimmered with golden strands of afternoon sunshine in the light breeze.
Her gaze lingered on the cobbled drive below. Less than an hour ago she'd ridden on that very drive and asked Robert to be her lover. A rush of warmth spread through her, filling her with need and longing and trepidation.
What would his answer be? And was he thinking about it right now?
The instant Robert and Miles entered the billiards room, Austin demanded, 'All right, Robert. The only reason I'm here is because you gave me 'the look.' Obviously you need to tell me something. What the bloody hell is so important?'
Robert raked his hands through his hair. Indeed, it had nearly taken an act of Parliament to drag Austin away from his self-imposed post in the drawing room. It wasn't until he'd given Austin the wordless signal the siblings had devised in childhood to indicate that something was amiss that Austin had agreed to come to the billiards room. And while he had no desire to add to Austin 's worries, he could not delay any longer in telling him about the disturbing incidents in London.
Speaking quickly, he brought Austin and Miles up to date. When he finished his recitation, both men regarded him with grave expressions.
'We experienced no problems on the journey here from London,' Robert said, 'but I don't feel this is over. With Michael on his way to Ireland with the note and the magistrate looking for the culprit, hopefully the bastard will be caught soon. But in the meanwhile, we need to take extra precautions. I do not want Mrs. Brown-or any of the women-to go about alone until this mystery is solved.'
Austin nodded slowly. 'I'll alert the staff, instruct them to report any unusual activities.' A determined glint entered his eyes. 'No one will be harmed.' He then laid a hand on Robert's shoulder. 'I'm glad neither of you were hurt. You did well getting Mrs. Brown here safely.'
Robert's jaw clenched. 'Not good enough. That bastard could have killed her.' His hand tightened into fists. 'He'll not have another opportunity, I can promise you that.'
He watched Austin and Miles exchange a quick, speculative glance. Austin then remarked, as if choosing his words carefully, 'Mrs. Brown is clearly a determined woman who stands strongly by her beliefs. A trait to be admired, especially in light of the hardships she's faced doing so. I can understand why she and Elizabeth are so close-they are very much alike in that respect.'
'Yes. She is most certainly a woman to be admired,' Robert agreed, meeting Austin 's gaze steadily, not caring a whit if his brother guessed his feelings for Allie. If he had his way, everyone would know before long. 'If you two will excuse me, I'm going to check on the ladies. Make certain Caroline hasn't dragged Mrs. Brown off somewhere.' He nodded at Austin. 'I'm assuming you won't leave the house.'
Austin raked his hands through his hair. 'You assume correctly.'
He tossed Austin a glossy, polished cue stick. 'Practice up, brother. When I return, you're going to owe me twenty pounds.'
When Robert found the drawing room empty, he continued out the French windows to the sun-splashed terrace where he was greeted by the sight of his mother enjoying tea and biscuits with her lively grandchildren. Pirate, his giant canine body stationed strategically near the table, gobbled up the biscuit crumbs as quickly as they hit the ground, and in some cases, before they made it that far.
Raising a hand to shield his eyes from the bright sunlight, Robert scanned the area for Allie and Caroline, and was relieved to note their figures in the distance, walking toward the terrace from the direction of the stables.
'Uncle Roboo!' a little voice squealed. Returning his attention to the wrought-iron table, he saw Caroline's two-year-old daughter Emily jump from her chair. She ran toward him, launching herself into his arms.
He caught her, then twirled her like a top, laughing at her delight. 'Ah, Miss Tickles, I've missed you,' he said as he stopped.
She pressed a sweet, biscuity, giggly kiss to his cheek. 'Again!'
Before he could oblige her, Austin and Elizabeth's son James attached himself to Robert's leg like a burr. 'Me twirl,' James demanded with all the authority of a three-year-old heir to a dukedom.
'Well, if it isn't Lord Mischief-Maker.' He scooped up the boy, settling him on his other arm, then circled around with his passengers until they were all breathless. When he finally halted, the world still twirled around him.
James favored him with a lopsided grin. 'Feel spinny.'
