Curled up on the morning room sofa, Jeremy glanced up from a book on archeology, his brow furrowed. “This blasted rain! Nicholas won’t take me to visit the Roman ruins now for another week.”
“Language, Jeremy,” Carrie scolded. “Be patient. He has his reasons.”
“I asked if we could ride over to see the ruins on his estate, but Nicholas wants to wait until the ground dries out. I don’t see what difference that makes.”
“The ruin is miles away. You’d be gone for most of the day. I imagine Nicholas has work to do. He might want us all to go.” She found the idea pleasing. “We could take a picnic hamper.”
Jeremy cast her a scathing glance. “You and Bella have no interest in ruins.”
“Probably not. It is only a pile of rocks, isn’t it? It will be pleasant to be out. I, too, am weary of being indoors.”
She’d been unaware that Nicholas had opened the door. “I imagine you have all grown tired of the weather.” He glanced at the watery rays of sunlight falling on the carpet through the window. “It’s fining up. Tomorrow we shall go for a walk. If you would care to.”
“That would be very welcome.” Carrie was so very glad to see him. How well he looked in the Carmelite brown coat and cream waistcoat with gold buttons, his long legs encased in fawn trousers. Afraid he saw her look of approval, she dropped her gaze, relieved when Jeremy’s disappointed groan caught Nicholas’s attention.
“A walk?” Jeremy wrinkled his nose. “The girls will only lag behind us, talking. Why must girls talk so much when men just…get on and do things?”
Nicholas chuckled. “That is one of life’s mysteries, Jeremy. And one day, I promise it will intrigue you. We can visit the home farm, or would you prefer to see my hounds?”
Jeremy sat up and brushed an unruly chestnut lock from his eyes. “Can we see the dogs, Nicholas?”
“We can. Bevans informed me of a new litter, and I am yet to see them.”
Jeremy grinned. “Shall we go after breakfast?”
“The dog pens are a distance from the house,” Nicholas said. “Shall we ride or walk?”
“I am more than ready for a brisk walk.” Carrie wasn’t in a hurry to ride after the last time. She imagined Nicholas strolling with her through the woods while she picked a bunch of bluebells. It seemed romantic. Unsettled, she fiddled with the blue ribbons on her morning gown.
Jeremy climbed to his feet. “I’ll tell Bella.”
“Yes, do.” Nicholas walked to the door with her brother. “We’ll leave after breakfast,” he said to her, and they both stepped into the corridor.
The door closed.
She would have liked Nicholas to remain so they could talk but feared he wouldn’t. He seldom spent time with her alone. In eight days, she’d be in London and wouldn’t see him again for weeks. Or maybe longer. But she could not think of him on such terms—she must focus on meeting the right man, one who would love her sister and brother, one who would accept them all.
***
When Carrie woke the next morning, the wind had blown the last of the clouds away during the night.
They set out on foot after breakfast.
Carrie’s plan to pick bluebells evaporated as Nicholas and Jeremy strode ahead, while Nicholas explained the technical advantages of his latest plow.
As Bella skipped ahead of her, Carrie smiled, happy to be in this lovely place, the warm sunshine making everything fresh and bright. It didn’t seem to matter how many times she reminded herself how fortunate she was to have an honorable man like Nicholas in charge of her sibling’s lives, she still yearned for something more for herself. The dread of leaving them all tightened her stomach.
Nicholas jumped a puddle as he returned to her. “Are we walking too fast?”
“I’m enjoying the beautiful scenery.” Once, she would have bristled at the suggestion she was too delicate to keep up. But she rather liked his concern.
She had changed so much since she came here. Never given to frivolous thoughts, she didn’t know herself. Papa always accused her of being too serious. “You’re like a maiden aunt, Carrie.” He’d shake his head at her. “Gentlemen are swooning over you at the assemblies, and you never toss them a crumb.” He hated how his illness kept her from having a London Season, but she’d refused to leave him.
Her vision blurred with sudden tears, and she bent her head to hide them from Nicholas’s observant gaze. She had expected her father to be there to approve of the man who finally broke through her defenses. The one she came to love. But she doubted any man would measure up to Nicholas. She stumbled over a rock on the path.
Nicholas grasped her arm. “All right?”
Her head dipped a quick nod while she told herself she didn’t need his support and mustn’t seek it. But something stopped her from moving away. His hand slid down to take hers in his wide, firm grasp. Carrie’s heart began its fierce beating. She lifted her eyes to his, and something passed between them before he led her onward.
After he helped her over a fallen log blocking the path, not wishing Bella to see her face and guess her feelings, Carrie slipped her hand from his.
They walked in silence, with Carrie very much aware of him at her side.
Well before they reached the enclosure, barks and yelps filled the air. Jeremy raced ahead. The hounds crowded along the wire fence and threw themselves against it, tails wagging.
When Bevans, the gamekeeper, emerged from a hut, Nicholas introduced him. “Lord Leeming wishes to see the new litter,” Nicholas said. “Six weeks old now, I believe?”
“Aye, milord. If you’ll come this
