He finally managed to slip away with an excuse that he had work to do before they met again for supper.
He retired to his quarters and enjoyed a moment of solitude before it was time to wash and dress in more appropriate formal attire for their dinner party, after which there would be dancing, as well as card tables set up for those who did not wish to dance.
Once ready, he happened to peer out his window and notice the carriage he had left at Chestnut Hill for Eden’s use now coming up the drive.
By fortunate circumstance, he had his binoculars atop his bureau. He grabbed them and peered at the approaching conveyance. Not that he was in the habit of spying on his guests. He merely had them conveniently at hand because he meant to join Eden and his children on tomorrow morning’s excursion and had prepared in advance.
Although who knew what Eden’s plans would be now?
He saw the lovely girl seated beside Aubrey, chatting with him and smiling as Connor’s team of horses, under his coachman’s steady control, made their way into the courtyard. It was not jealousy that had him setting aside his binoculars and hurrying downstairs to greet her.
No, not jealousy. He was too old for that nonsense. Was it not neighborly good form to express concern?
“How is your father?” He reached for Eden and placed his hands around her waist to lift her down, purposely keeping hold of her lithe body a moment longer than was necessary before he released her because he knew it would irk the interloper.
Aubrey noticed. His eyes narrowed and he tossed Connor a challenging frown.
Eden appeared oblivious to the tension between the two men. She answered his question cheerfully and with unmistakable relief. “My father is now comfortably settled in his bedchamber. Cook has prepared his favorite meal. Evanshas brought up a selection of books from my library for him, although I think his eyes will strain if he attempts to read on his own. Most of my staff are educated, so any one of them can read aloud to him while he rests his eyes. I have left instructions for someone to sit with him throughout the night. I’ve left it to Evans to make the assignments. They’ll take four-hour shifts this first evening. I’ll look in on him tomorrow morning, as will Dr. Weaver.” She glanced toward his house. “And how is my mother?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Oh, she’s made herself right at home.”
Eden winced. “Sorry. I thought she might. How are the children?”
“Completely unmanageable and barely surviving without you,” he said with a soft laugh. “Priscilla is preparing a card for your father while the boys are doing their best to eat me into impoverishment.”
She happened to smile just as the sun reappeared from behind a cloud.
Yes, this was what Eden was—pure sunshine.
“I’ll look in on them before their bedtime,” she said with a shake of her head, and then spared a glance at his attire. “Oh, am I too late for supper?”
“Not at all. Run up and change. We’ll wait for you to come down before I have Brewster ring the dinner bell.” He noticed a trunk perched in the rear of the carriage. “Your mother’s things? One of the footmen will carry it up to her bedchamber. I’ll assign Sarah to assist her for the duration of her stay.”
“Thank you. That is very generous of you.”
He cast her a wry smile. “I’ve taken the liberty of placing her at the opposite end of the hall from your chamber.”
She laughed again. “That sounds perfect.”
“I thought it might.”
She thanked him once more and hurried into the house.
Connor now turned to Aubrey, who had remained standing by the carriage during his and Eden’s brief exchange. He did not like the fellow, nor did Aubrey appear to like him. Nevertheless, they maintained their gentlemanly façades.
He grudgingly thanked Aubrey for assisting Eden. “She seems relieved. Crisis averted. But how is she feeling, really?”
To his credit, Aubrey did not toss back a whimsical response. “Shaken, I think. She hides it well, pretends to take their antics in stride. But I’m sure their constant battles get to her. She has remarkable composure. However, if one looks closely, one can see she is fragile.”
“Yes, she is,” Connor replied, his tone intended to send this lord a warning. “That’s why she will be seated beside me tonight.”
“So you can protect her?” Aubrey frowned. “Why? I can assure you, she will be just as safe with me.”
“As I said, she stays by me.”
“Do you intend to court her, Lynton? Is this what your glowering at me is about? Then consider the gauntlet tossed. From what I gather, you had three years to declare yourself and have not done it. Too bad, old man. You’ve lost your chance, for I intend to court her…and I do not like to lose.”
That said, he marched off.
