His Shadowed Heart ((Books We Love Regency Romance)) by Hazel Statham Read Free Book Online Page B

Now I am being foolish, she thought. I have scarce been in the house for three days, arriving on the eve of my wedding, what am I to expect. It will take time for everyone to become accustomed to my way of things. I should not be so easily daunted. Indeed, if I perceive her influence all about me it is merely in my own imaginings, I will not allow myself to be disheartened.
    “Would you care to ride over to the lake?” the earl asked, breaking in on her reverie. They turned their horses away from their contemplation of the house and cantered down to a small valley wherein the lake reposed, its cool waters reflecting the abundant foliage that covered its banks.
     
    *****
     
    As they rode back to Lordings, Caroline viewed the house as it appeared through the framework of trees and thought, this is mine. I am part of it now, part of h is life, and she felt a sense of happiness in this reflection, a sense of belonging at last. What did it matter that at this moment in time she was treated more as a visitor than its mistress, the staff would become used to her and in time she would become Her Ladyship and they would grow accustomed to her ways. On such a lovely day as this, anything seemed possible.
    When they halted at the foot of the stone steps leading to the Palladian front and impressive oak doors, the earl dismounted and assisted his wife down from the mare’s back. Leaving the horses in the groom’s care, he drew her hand through his arm and they mounted the steps and entered the hallway together. Secretly examining his profile she thought he seemed very much at ease, far more relaxed than she had ever seen him.
    A maid came forward as they entered the large hallway and bobbing a curtsey enquired, “Would Your Ladyship prefer tea in her apartments or in the small salon?”
    Caroline looked enquiringly at her husband but he smiled, “It is for you to decide, my dear —I rarely take tea in the afternoon. That is a ceremony I leave entirely to you.”
    “Will you not join me on this occasion?” she asked, wishing to retain his company for a while longer. “I won’t press you again, but just this once.”
    “If I must,” he said, grinning reluctantly. “Though I must warn you, I have no intentions of changing my attire. I will not be blamed if the odor of the stables accompanies your tea.”
    “Then neither shall I change, sir.” She turned to the maid, “Tea will be in the garden room.”
    Although greatly surprised by her mistress’s request, the maid scurried off to do her bidding.
    The earl appeared amused. “And may I ask why the garden room, my dear?”
    “Because I thought it would be less formal and it would not matter what we wore,” she explained a little defiantly, as if she expected to meet with opposition.
    “Then that is an excellent idea, a little less formality would serve us well. Now, my lady, we will take tea.”
     
    *****
     
    Sitting back in an old leather chair, teacup in hand, the earl looked around the garden room which was a long, high ceilinged room set at the rear of the house whose large casements opened onto sweeping manicured lawns. “It seems an age since I was last in this room,” he said. “I had forgotten how pleasant it could be. Quite relaxing. What made you think of it?”
    Caroline was well pleased with his reaction, reveling in his approbation. “The housekeeper showed it to me when she took me on a tour of the house upon my arrival,” she said, smiling. “I thought it looked a most comfortable room, one where one need not worry whether a book had been left out of place or whether one’s shoes were wet. A place of ease, where Julia could play ….”
    “Julia has the nursery —she has no need to play in this part of the house.”
    “Surely she needn’t be confined to the nursery when she can come here and we can open the casements and go out onto the lawns.”
    “You have thought this out quite thoroughly, haven’t you,” he said, somewhat surprised.