At the Earl's Convenience by Maggi Andersen Read Free Book Online

unnerved by the joy at the sight of him that rose inside of her like a swallow on the wing.
    Joseph hurried to help her dismount and take the reins. She walked over to Devereux.
    His gaze roamed her face, his blue eyes bloodshot. “You’ve been busy.”
    “I could hardy live here the way it was.” Her voice sounded calm and measured despite the lump in her throat. His expression and the tone of his voice gave nothing away, and she tried to gauge his reaction. Was he pleased?
    “You ride astride?” He raised a brow. “Aren’t they my breeches?”
    “Yes.”
    “Don’t you have a riding habit?”
    She put her hand to her waist where she’d hitched up his leather breeches with a belt. His belt. “I was going to have one made in London, remember? Anyway, your clothes are more serviceable than mine.”
    An autocratic eyebrow rose, and his eyes glittered. “Serviceable, Lady Halcrow?”
    He sounded almost savage. She felt her cheeks burn with anger and humiliation. He didn’t want her here. All of a sudden, she was the guilty one.
    Devereux turned to look at her horse. “Why a stallion?”
    “Firefly is the perfect mount for me to cover the miles around the estate. He’s proved himself a fencer.”
    “Has he indeed. Where’ve you been today?”
    “Visiting the tenants. They have needs too.”
    “I’m well aware of the tenants’ needs,” he said gruffly. “Did you come straight here from the inn in Reading?”
    “You gave me little choice,” she said dryly. “Either that or go back to Bath humiliated.”
    “Not your fault, Selina.” He shivered.
    Startled, she noticed how pale he was. She put a hand up to touch him, and then, uncertain of her welcome, she dropped her arm. “You are ill!”
    “The cursed influenza. I just need to rest.”
    She still hesitated, wanting to take his arm but resisting. He looked so distant; there was a wall between them. She didn’t understand why, but she was determined to learn the truth, even if it hurt her. “You must come inside out of the cold.”
    She turned to Joseph, who awaited instructions. “Give his lordship’s portmanteau to Frobisher and take Firefly to the stables. Make sure he’s rubbed down and watered. But don’t dally there, Joseph. Return to the house. I have need of you.”
    She walked with Devereux to the door, where Frobisher stood waiting.
    He patted the butler on the arm. “How are you, old fellow?”
    Frobisher’s face filled with joy. “Good to see you, my lord.”
    “There’s a fire in the library,” Selina said. “I’ll have coffee brought and food. You must be hungry. Cook has made a splendid mutton pie. Do you fancy it?”
    “I’m not hungry, thank you.” It was as if this was her house and he a guest in it. She wondered if he resented it.
    When they entered the library smelling of old tomes and beeswax, his tense expression faded. “This is my favorite room, too.”
    Devereux collapsed into a leather chair by the fire. Leaning back exhausted, he rested his boots on a leather ottoman. She bit her lip at the ridge of high-color on his cheeks, made obvious by his pallor. Her unreliable heart turned over with anguish. He was far sicker than she’d first thought.
    Selina gave up on her determination not to touch him. She rested her hand against his brow, finding it burning. “You must go straight to bed,” she said, alarmed. “I have your bedchamber prepared.”
    “Not the marriage bed then, Lady Halcrow?” His savage laugh turned into a cough.
    Selina pulled the bell cord. A minute later, the butler appeared. “Send Joseph for the doctor. Joseph must be sure to tell the doctor his lordship is very ill.”
    “Very good, my lady.”
    “And send Mrs. Lark to me, Frobisher.”
    Moments later, the housekeeper entered the room, and Selina introduced her.
    “Welcome to Halcrow Hall, Mrs. Lark,” Devereux said.
    Mrs. Lark curtsied in her neat black gown. “A pleasure to be here, my lord.”
    “Have the bed in the blue