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“You must have been deep in thought to get so lost.”

The wind blew through the trees, sending a chill down her entire body.

“I was.” She bit her lip and looked up at him. “Have you spoken to Lord Rotham this day?”

“I have not, we were to go on our morning ride, but he was not at the paddock where it is our custom to meet. This is why I am here. Since I was so rudely rejected by my dearest friend, I thought I would avail myself to my parents and assist them in their fishing endeavors.”

He nodded with his chin toward the other side of the riverbed where a couple was sitting side by side, fishing rods before them.

“Mama!” He called out drawing the attention of the couple. “This is Lady Ruth! The daughter of the Duke of Twilightfare. She is lost in the woods. Can you believe it?”

Lord Caster waved his hand in the air to silence his son.

“By Jove! You’re scaring away the precious carp!” Beside him, the Countess, a short rotund woman, wobbled in her seat so overcome was she by amusement at the scene.

“I am not half as loud as you, Papa!” Lord Bronwyn called; a row of pearly white teeth exposed by his wide grin. Ruth couldn’t help but break into a smile at this display. They were so amused by each other, despite the worry of scaring away the fish.

The older woman was in a redingote, her hair tucked away under a capote. She waved a gloved hand at her.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Ruth!” She called out, earning an instant playful rebuke from her husband. A moment later, the Earl bowed before throwing out his fishing rod again.

“Your parents fish together? I did not think fishing was an activity a Countess would engage in.”

“If you asked her, she does not care. She enjoys being by his side and he by hers. They ride out; they sail; they walk by the water. They are quite comfortable in each other’s company. I am blessed in that regard. I cannot imagine what life might be like if my parents were at one another’s throat the way Kenneth’s are. ‘Pon my honor, I’d have found a way to remain in the military.”

At the mention of Kenneth, Ruth shivered. Her lips twitched as her face gave away the sorrow she carried within. At once, the young man tilted his head to one side and pursed his lips as he considered her visage.

“Something has happened, has it not?”

She hesitated, not knowing if she ought to confide in him or not. He was Kenneth’s best friend and would surely hear all about the event of last night, but did she want to be the one to tell him? Sensing her unease, he turned to her.

“I do not presume you would take me into your confidence, given that we do not know one another. However, should you choose to do so, please know that I will always have an open ear. Anyone dear to Kenneth is dear to me.”

Her heart ached at the thought of being dear to Kenneth and she winced.

“Faith, Lord Bronwyn. I suppose you will hear sooner or later anyhow. There has been the most unfortunate incident last night. Between Ken...I mean Lord Rotham and his cousin. They had a dreadful disagreement on my account. I’m afraid many at Goldclaw Manor will be in high dudgeon this day. I am sure Lord Cragshade wasted no time informing the entire household of what occurred and what he observed.”

She tapped her foot on the forest floor as anxiety overcame her.

“If Lord Cragshade was involved, I dare say you will be right. The man is a gabster and he is loose in the haft, and that is the kindest thing I can think of to say about him.”

“He surprised Lord Rotham and me as we were discussing matters of a…matters that were private in nature.” She forced the words out of her mouth before embarrassment could overcome her.

Lord Bronwyn did not at all appear shocked by her statement. In fact, he nodded his head as though it was the most natural thing.

“I see, I see. I ought to call on Kenneth later, to see that he is well. I trust your question earlier, if I’d seen him, means the two of you have not spoken since?”

She shook her head, unable to look him in the eyes.

“I told him I could no longer entertain our companionship.”

Lord Bronwyn’s nostrils flared. “May I ask why?”

She shook her head and looked out through the trees toward the direction of Goldclaw Manor.

“I assume my friend, at last, confessed his love for you?”

She looked at him wide-eyed. She’d never expected him to speak to her in so blunt a manner. Their entire conversation was highly unusual and if it were not for the presence of his mother just across the river, she’d have been forced to depart long ago, lest her reputation be ruined along with everything else in her life.