“A real beauty,” Angus said.
Fleur glanced at him, but he wasn’t looking at the horse. Not used to such overt admiration, she turned her gaze to Azure.
“Did your daughter train the horse?” Angus asked.
“She did. She has been helping my husband and his stable master with horses since she learned to ride.”
“Mr. Connery, I almost forgot,” Joshua said. “You asked me to let you know when Lady Bowles’ stablemaster and his wife arrived. They just arrived only a few minutes ago. Mr. Ghent and his wife are still with their rig. He insisted that he would take care of the horses. I’ve given them two stalls on the back row for their mares and set out the water for them. I offered to feed them, but he wants to do it.”
“That’s just like Ben,” Fleur said. “He’s always taken such good care of our horses.”
“I am thankful they helped you survive that blackguard’s poisonous attack,” Angus said.
“Yes. I was weaker than a newborn babe. Maggie took care of me, hand-feeding me broth and gruel until I could hold my head up.”
A shiver overtook her as she recalled the first time, she felt well enough to hold any part of a conversation. She had nearly died at the hands of Percival Bowles…or whatever his true name was. “Thank God for Maggie and Ben.”
“I would like to welcome them,” Angus said. “Would you care to come with me?”
She looked at Azure, who was munching on his third apple. “Thank you, Azure, thank you for taking care of my girl.” The horse bobbed his head, seeming to understand. She reached up and gently pulled his nose to her. “Thank you,” she said, kissing the horse on his nose.
Azure whinnied his approval.
She heard their voices before she saw them and rushed in their direction. “Maggie! Ben! I’m so happy to see you both,” Fleur said, throwing her arms around the couple and hugging them. “This is Mr. Angus Connery, the estate manager forBellwood. He has been working with Lord Lawrence on this gorgeous estate.” She gave a brief wave of her hand.
Angus warmly greeted both Ben and Maggie, welcoming them to Bellwood.
Ben blew out a whistle. “Tis one of the most beautiful estates I’ve seen, excepting Rose Point, of course. At least to my eye. If the grounds along the main road and the stable is any indication of what to expect in the main house, Mr. Connery and Lord Lawrence have outdone themselves.”
“Thank you, Ben. I would like to take credit…but most of it belongs to Lord Lawrence as he worked on the grounds. And truthfully, he turned a dead estate into a profitable one,” Angus said. He smiled at the Ghents. “What you both did took courage. We wouldn’t have Lady Bowles with us today, if not for that courage. We appreciate you both so much.”
“We did what was right, Mr. Connery. We have worked for the Bowles family for many years. We consider them our people—our family. And that man…” Ben’s voice choked up. “He nearly killed her, he did.”
Touched at the raw emotion displayed by Ben, Fleur swallowed past the lump in her throat. “As we too, have always considered you both,” she said, dabbing at the corner of her watery eyes.
“Let’s get you both settled,” Angus said. “Ben, you and your lovely misses may enter the house from any door you’d like. But the kitchen is the closest.” He turned and gave them directions to the door leading into the kitchen. “Your room is ready, and you will probably find Mrs. Evans, the housekeeper, in her office, which is a small room in the hall just off the kitchen. And you will also meet Mrs. McDonald, our cook. She will want to make sure you have a hot meal.”
“Thank you, sir. It’s been a while since we’ve eaten today, that sounds most inviting. We appreciate you letting us stay here.”
“Nonsense. We would not have it any other way, but you must promise to let me know if you need anything,” Angus said.
“Selena has been fatigued of late and has been sleeping much of the day. But she will be thrilled to see you both in the morning,” Fleur said.
“Oh? She’s not ill, is she milady?” Maggie asked, concern etching her round face.
“She was injured but is much improved,” Fleur said. She hoped her daughter would be up and about tomorrow. She had observed the budding relationship between her daughter and Lord Lawrence but wondered if problems had emerged between the two.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the child, please let her know we will do anything we can to help her back to her old self,” Maggie said.
“I will, my dear Maggie.” Fleur wrapped the older woman in a warm embrace.
“I’m ready to eat and turn in, if you are, wife,” Ben said, stifling a yawn. He held out his arm. His wife nodded and took it.
Angus and Fleur watched the couple stroll to the manor.
“It’s easy to see the affection they have for you and Selena,” Angus said.
“It’s mutual.”
