Page 82 of Aurelia

“You have put new life into my mother with your visit,” he said as they rode abreast.

“I hope I did not overtire her today.”

“A nap and she will be as good as new.” He hesitated a moment and then said, “She has become very fond of you quickly. I hope she did not… overstep?”

“Not at all.” Aurelia wondered if Guustin was concerned about what his mother might have disclosed about him or his interest in her. But he did not pursue the matter and shortly afterward the sky opened up.

“Let us gallop,” Guustin shouted over the rain.

The ride was exhilarating, even though Aurelia knew she looked like a drowned rat by the time they reached the castle gate.

“Ride up to the front door, Aurelia. I’ll take your horse to the stables for you.”

Thunder cracked just as they drew up in front of the huge front door.

Aurelia slid inelegantly off Black Prince and tossed Guustin the reins.

“I will see you at dinner,” he said, and then cantered toward the stables.

Aurelia was shaking the rain off her cloak when Arthur entered the foyer.

“Oh dear! You are soaked through, Aurelia. You must go upstairs immediately and I will have hot water sent up. I also have a poultice that is good to fight chills.”

“Thank you, that is kind. But I don’t think—”

“It was irresponsible of Guustin to keep you out in such weather.”

“He didn’t. I was visiting his mother and he escorted me back.”

“Oh.” He looked strangely deflated. Aurelia had noticed that the older man didn’t care for the earl’s son and spoke to him sharply, if at all.

Arthur suddenly brightened. “I saw that you finished the painting of the urocyon cinereoargenteus. It is exceptional!”

“Thank you. I couldn’t have done it nearly as well without your excellent specimen and the detailed descriptions in your journal.”

“It is one of my better pieces. I used my newest formula and it seems to offer superior preservation with the mercury.”

“I had heard there is some danger in working with mercury?”

“Not if you know how to use it correctly.”

“Well, the fox is certainly so lifelike that I sometimes felt as if I were in danger of being bitten.”

He chortled. “The highest praise for a taxidermist. But I shouldn’t keep you chatting or you will take a chill. Upstairs with you and I will go and see about the hot water and poultice.”

Aurelia obeyed him without arguing, amused and also touched by his concern. She wasn’t in danger of taking a chill, but it was still nice to be fussed over on occasion.

Chapter 17

Several evenings later the pleasant atmosphere that had reigned over the castle for months was shattered.

It was after dinner and Aurelia, Guustin, Arthur, and Lord Crewe were playing whist. The fact that she knew how to play had come up during the meal and all three men had begged her to play.

“Celsa despises cards and we never have a fourth,” Arthur said.

They were all excellent players and Guustin and Aurelia had just won the first game and were about to begin another when the butler entered.

“What is it, Beekman?” the earl asked.