Page 46 of After the Abduction

But she was right. It was indeed his uncle’s situation that made Sebastian tolerate the man’s sponging and meddling. One day, Sebastian would commit the great sin of inheriting his uncle’s estate, so he didn’t mind softening the hurt for Uncle Lew when he could. Besides, he rather enjoyed the way the old scoundrel took it as his due.

“Be grateful Uncle Lew never rises so early, or he’d invite himself along,” he added. “We’d have a fine time explaining why we’re sneaking off to Winifred’s on such a raw morning.”

They rode awhile, comfortably silent with only the sounds of blades squeaking and horse’s hoofbeats on the icy paths to break the winter quiet.

After they’d passed yet another of his woodlands, Juliet said in an awed tone, “You have wonderful grounds, Lord Templemore. Quite extensive, too. And I do so love all the little copses and parks and gardens.”

Good, he thought as he glanced down at her pretty bared head, because I intend to lay them all at your feet, sweeting, if only you’ll give me the chance.

And when she praised the carved wooden bridge they crossed over and the tidy tenants’ cottages, he felt a surge of pride. He rarely got to show off Charnwood. His few visitors, business-minded or bent on discussing pistols, barely noticed his property. Certainly they never expressed their admiration with such unaffected pleasure.

Perhaps convincing Juliet to marry him wouldn’t be so difficult, after all. If she enjoyed his estate and wanted to marry a respectable, dependable man…why not?

He must persuade her that he meant well this time, that he wasn’t like “Morgan.” Even if he was the Morgan she knew. But surely he could allay her fears eventually. If the usual methods of courtship failed him—like the compliments she found suspect—he could always rely on giving her the lessons she wanted and helping her sister.

And kisses. Juliet liked kisses, no matter what she protested.

But he would bring her around. He had to bring her around. Because he’d begun to think that life with her as his wife would be vastly more rewarding than life alone.

By the time they reached Winnie’s cottage, Juliet was radiant. Lady Rosalind had remained silent throughout most of their ride, but he attributed that to nervousness about meeting with a wise woman.

“You’ll like Winnie,” he tried to reassure her as the sleigh approached the thatch-roofed structure. “She’s forthright sometimes, but she knows more than anyone about herbs and ancient remedies. If she can’t help you, no one can.”

After speaking to Juliet last night, he’d sent a stable boy over to inform Winnie of their plans. So it was no surprise that upon their approach, the cottage door swung open and she trundled out to meet them in all her white-haired, twenty-stone glory, swathed entirely in a voluminous pink wool shawl. She looked like a great dollop of marzipan.

“Good morning, Lord Templemore,” she crooned. “And welcome to you ladies, too.” She looked Juliet and Lady Rosalind over as he drew the sleigh to a halt. “Aren’t you both lovely things? I daresay his lordship is delighted to have such pretty visitors stranded at Charnwood Hall.”

“Indeed I am,” he said truthfully. He climbed out, then turned to help the ladies. “I hope this isn’t too early for you, Winnie.”

“You know better than that, m’lord. I’m up with the chickens, I am. And I did want to tell you that…”

The rest of Winnie’s words faded as he took Juliet’s slender hand in his and helped her down. Just that brief contact made his blood thunder in his ears. Holding her hand more tightly than was proper, he didn’t release it right away. Her gaze flew to his for the merest second, enough to steal his breath. Flushed from the journey, she looked fresh and bright and happy. He burned to sweep her into his embrace and kiss her until she melted.

As if she’d read his thoughts, her face flamed. She tugged her hand free, then slid from between him and the sleigh, leaving him frustrated and bereft. He turned to help Lady Rosalind next, but she’d already climbed out the other side and was eyeing him with speculation.

“M’lord?” came Winnie’s voice behind him, wafting down as if from on high.

He turned to find Winnie wreathed in a knowing smile. “Yes?”

“I was just thanking you for sending Henley over to clean out my chimney.”

Only then did he realize he hadn’t heard a word she’d said. “Oh. Yes. Of course. Think nothing of it.” He was babbling like an idiot. Juliet had that effect on him. He forced himself to pay attention. “So it’s drawing better now?”

“Indeed it is. He did a fine job, he did.” Winnie folded her wrinkled hands over her ample belly and winked at Sebastian. “But he wasn’t as handsome as that last fellow you sent. What nice muscles that one had! And such blushing cheeks! He was quite the shy thing for a man full grown.”

Wonderful—she was making the footmen blush again. God knew what she’d said to the poor lad about his “nice muscles.” Winifred never minced her words on any subject, but especially not when it came to handsome, strapping youths.

“But it’s good of your lordship to send the lads.” She smiled at Lady Rosalind and Juliet. “His lordship takes great care of me. Been looking after me since he was thirteen.”

“Thirteen?” Juliet echoed in surprise.

“Winnie exaggerates,” he muttered.

“Bah, don’t listen to him and his modesty,” the wise woman retorted. “Thirteen, he was, when he took over managing the estate. The old baron tried to send him off to Eton, but he’d have none of it. ‘No, sir,’ he said, ‘I’ll stay right here, if you please. You may hire me tutors.’ That’s when he set to putting Charnwood to rights. Read himself all those big books about breeding and crops, learned what he could from farmers hereabouts, and fired the thieving steward. God knows the old baron didn’t give a tuppence for the estate. If his lordship here hadn’t taken it in hand, who knows what would’ve become of us all? And then that Morgan showed up—”

“Winifred!” he said sharply. The wise woman probably didn’t know anything, but just to be safe…“The ladies aren’t interested in that. We have other matters to discuss.”

A sly smile curved up her thin mouth. “I’m getting to it, m’lord.” She surveyed the two women. “So which of you lovelies is the one that wants a baby?”