An Unlikely Father (10 page)

Delia selected one of the grey jackets, saying, “I think this would fit Jamie exactly.” Then she lowered the garment and looked at Emily. “You do realize that the moment the children have warmer coats, they shall be demanding an outing?”

“I am not afraid of a little cold weather.” What Emily truly feared was an encounter with Lord Hawksworth after her loose tongue in the library. How could she have been so foolish as to question the man’s conduct?

The business of outfitting his lordship’s wards soon took precedence over her worries. She found herself liking the practical Mrs. Nance, and while the children were sent for to be measured, the three women put their heads together and drew up a list of the necessities.

By the time Bedows announced nuncheon to the ladies, Honoria and Jamie each had suitable attire for the cold Somersetshire weather. The other garments would have to wait until Mrs. Nance and her assistants worked their magic with needle and thread.

With a promise to take the older pair for a walk after their meal, Emily set out with Delia for the dining room with some trepidation. As the servant opened the door, her heart hammered in anticipation of meeting with the earl, but to her relief, there were only three places set and Sir Ethan there to greet them. The baronet offered the ladies the earl’s compliments, informing them that his lordship had gone to Bath on business with his steward.

Sir Ethan proved a companionable host, but Emily was not in a talkative mood. As he conversed with Delia, the young heiress allowed her mind to return to the earl. She knew she must now repair the damage she had done with her insulting gibe. She owed Lord Hawksworth an apology. Upon his return she would seek him out, but the thought of being closeted alone with the gentleman sent a tremor of excitement racing up her spine which, despite her efforts, she could not dispel.

That afternoon a blustery wind swirled around Emily, her two lively charges and Kali as they explored the grounds of Hawk’s Lair. Having taken Bedows’s advice, they’d exited through the north portico into a well
-
maintained knot garden where remnants of snow remained only in the shadows of the tall shrubs. The children were delighted with the six intricate knots which surrounded a lovely center fountain. They each chose a separate knot and began to dash about inside the knee-high sculpted bushes, attempting to reach the center first. The small black dog ran back and forth between the pair and barked playfully.

Emily, left to her own devices, took her first look at the exterior of the castle in the light of day. It was a building of mellow brick and interesting design with numerous domed turrets. She was certain that if she possessed such a splendid home, she would never wish to leave it.

Just then Jamie called that there was a gate into another garden. The trio, with Kali trailing, passed through the ornate iron portal to explore a lower garden with ancient clipped topiary in a variety of shapes. In that manner they spent the afternoon venturing into new terrain and enjoying the delights of the estate.

Nearly an hour later, Honoria announced she was quite tired, but she begged to be taken to the stable to visit with Matilda before returning indoors. In a grown-up voice, she announced, “We must see that she is properly housed, Miss Collins.”

Jamie was agreeable if it meant extending his time out of doors, so with directions from a passing gardener, they made their way to the complex of buildings at the rear of the castle where the goat now resided. As they approached the entry, Hawksworth drove up before the open door of the building in a high-perch phaeton. Emily’s heart began to hammer. He climbed down and tossed the reins to a young groom, then fell into conversation with a man who appeared to be in charge.

Emily knew the exact moment he became aware of their approach. There was a perceptible straightening of his back. Her knees suddenly felt weak at the thought of facing his rancor, but she decided there was no use delaying her bad medicine.

“Good afternoon, my lord.”

“Miss Collins,” Hawksworth responded, his tone frosty. Then his gaze moved to the two children, who eyed him cautiously, and there was a softening in his frigid features. “I must say that I am delighted to see the pair of you looking much cleaner than when we last met.”

Jamie glanced up at Emily; then, without the least encouragement, he tugged off his quartered cap and gamely stepped forward. Still, there was a slight tremor of fear in his voice as he spoke. “Uncle Oliver, Honoria and I wish to apologize for the dirt and disorder we caused in the kitchen this morning. Our only excuse is that we were excessively hungry, sir, but we promise never to intrude there again.”

Hawksworth found himself touched by the lad’s bravery. He wondered how his brother had handled the matter of disciplining the children for their transgressions. He couldn’t imagine James being a hard taskmaster, having been so terrified of their father as a young man.

Drawing his hands behind his back, Oliver knew that he could not let such a serious offense pass without some mention. “Well, I hope that you and Honoria will in the future avoid any matters concerning fireplaces, but since I think you intended no harm we shall let the matter drop. I would suggest, however, that you summon a servant or your nurse in the future if you should wake and find yourselves famished.”

“Yes, Uncle Oliver.” Jamie dug the toe of his boot into the dirt nervously.

“What brings you to the stables?” Hawksworth asked the lad, but glanced up to see Miss Collins gazing at him. He took note that she worried her lower lip with even white teeth. Was the intrepid lady regretting her barbed comments in the library earlier? Or merely considering lambasting him further for his moral turpitude?

Jamie, unaware of the undercurrents from the adults and having been absolved of his crimes in the kitchen, peered into the shadows of the building that housed his uncle’s prime cattle. Like most young lads, he was eager to inspect the interior of so fine a stable. “We came to visit our goat, Matilda. We want to make certain she is happy in her new home, sir.”

Hawksworth signaled his head groom, who had moved away with the arrival of the children and Miss Collins. “Bates, take my wards to wherever you have their goat housed.”

The craggy-faced fellow grinned at Jamie and Honoria, then gestured for them to follow. “Come this way, for I’ve got yer pet in the rear ba
rn
with the yearling.”

Without the least fear of the old man, the two young Carsons dashed after Bates with Kali on their heels and soon fell into step with him as he led them down the aisle and through the rear doors of the
barn
. Hawksworth arched a dark brow when Miss Collins remained standing in front of him.

“Do you not wish to inspect Matilda’s quarters as well?” There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

The lady’s cheeks flamed pink. “I have no doubt that the children’s goat is being properly cared for.”

“So you think it only my wards I neglect.”

Emily knew she deserved his disdain. “My lord, I
...
regret, er, that is I wish to offer you
...
” She struggled to find the right words.

The earl found himself enjoying her chagrin, but he was not a cruel man and took pity on her discomfort. “It
is
dashedly awkward, is it not?”

Emily gave an embarrassed grin; then her face grew sober. “It is, sir, but it must be done. I do regret my unkind remarks in the library and hope that you will forgive my unmitigated impertinence in criticizing the manner in which you conduct your affairs.”

As the lady apologized, Oliver wondered what he found so intriguing about her. Clearly, she was not like any other female of his acquaintance, but then, those women had rarely intrigued him. He’d had little interest in getting to know any of the ones who’d satisfied his lust.

Miss Collins was headstrong and unconventional, yet she possessed a genuine concern for his wards. Her interests weren’t solely centered on her own comfort and reward. He was certain his grandmother might wish that he would learn empathy for others from the lady. But he would learn little if they continued at odds with one another.

Realizing the lady had finished with her apology and was waiting expectantly for a reply, Oliver said, “I do believe the better part of our acquaintance has been spent in one or the other apologizing, Miss Collins. Do you think we might cry peace and start anew with the knowledge that we both want only the best for my wards, even if our vision of what that is differs?”

The lady smiled with such radiance that Oliver found it difficult to believe he had thought her plain upon her arrival. But then, she’d had little to smile about that first night with his implacable orders about what he expected of her.

Miss Collins extended her gloved hand, bringing him out of his bemused thoughts. “I think that an excellent notion, my lord.”

She had a surprisingly firm grasp for a female. As she drew her hand free, she asked, “Shall we go find the children? We wouldn’t want them to fall into mischief.”

Oliver had only to remember the disaster in the kitchen which had cost him his French cook to realize the truth in that. He gestured her forward and they entered the stable, walking past a variety of horses. As the lady stopped to admire his lordship’s prized stallion, Oliver, determined to make a new start with his guest, inquired, “Do you or Mrs. Keaton ride? I have been remiss in not offering to accommodate you.”

Emily stroked the black horse’s nose. “I do, my lord, but Delia is more comfortable being driven. Might I be so bold as to request the use of one of your vehicles? When time permits, I should like to drive round the local countryside, for we are both most anxious to once again see the English landscape.”

Despite his best intentions, Oliver frowned. He was often known to comment disparagingly on the women in town who drove carriages in the park. They either drove timidly, obstructing traffic, or at such a spanking pace that the animals’ mouths were subjected to a great deal of abuse when reined to an abrupt halt for the ladies to socialize with their friends, as was their wont.

“My coachman is at your service. All you need do is send word to Bates and you can be driven to wherever you desire.”

“Oh, that won’t be necessary, sir. I am quite capable of driving myself.” Emily was no fool. Too often, she’d been confronted with gentlemen who doubted her abilities with the ribbons. As she watched the changing expression on the earl’s face, it was clear their new pact of peace was about to be put to the test.

Hawksworth grew thoughtful, then announced, “Very well, Miss Collins, I shall inform Bates to make a vehicle available for you and Mrs. Keaton.”

Just then the sound of Kali’s excited barking and a shout echoed from somewhere behind the stable. The earl and Emily exchanged a worried glance, then hurried in the direction that the children had gone with the head groom.

The sight that greeted them on entering the yearling
barn
made Oliver’s blood run cold. His young heir had
g
one up into the hayloft and now sat perched on an open rafter, clinging to a beam which ran across the wide aisle. On the same timber sat two calico kittens watching the young lad with eager curiosity.

“Uncle Oliver, Uncle Oliver,” Honoria called as she dashed towards them, her bonnet loose on her shoulders. “ ’Tis all my fault. Jamie went to bring me a kitty and now he cannot come down.”

Oliver was certain he’d never known such anxiety as he watched the lad rocking back and forth on the oak beam, trying to extend his foot back to the top of the wall. If his nephew fell to the cobblestone floor, there would be nothing to be done for him.

“Where is Bates?” Fear made his voice harsh. Honoria’s gaze was locked on her brother, but she hesitantly responded, “H-He told us to stay in the pen with Matilda while he went to make certain his lads weren’t idling with the new milkmaid.”

Oliver would take a strip off the old man’s back later for his negligence, but he knew Bates was as unfamiliar with children as he was. For now he needed to get the boy down. He removed his coat and tossed it heedlessly over a stall rail. Beside him Miss Collins called, “Don’t move, Jamie. Your uncle will be up to help you down.” The earl took the stairs two at a time and entered the hayloft. It took only a moment to determine how his nephew had managed to climb to his precarious location. Oliver scaled the wooden slats, scraping his Hessians in the narrow space never meant for climbing, to where the lad sat frozen in fear. “Take my hand, Jamie.” His lordship’s ward seemed to find confidence in his uncle’s calm voice. After one fearful glance at the distant floor, he stretched out his dust-coated hand and grasped his rescuer’s.

Below, Emily held her breath. She watched the earl pull the boy to him, drawing him tight against his chest. Within a matter of minutes, the two were safely back down on the loft floor.

His lordship hugged the lad for a second longer. “Are you all right, Jamie?”

The boy merely nodded his head. Honoria dashed up the stairs and hugged them both. “Thank you for saving him, Uncle.”

Emily felt her heart warm as his lordship gazed down at the pair and ruffled their dark locks. “I told you I would take care of you. Now promise me you will never do anything so foolish again.”

“We promise, Uncle Oliver,” the pair chimed in unison.

When the trio were once again standing on the cobblestone aisle, Miss Collins thanked him. There was a warm glow in her amber eyes that surprised the earl and gave his spirits a lift. But there was no time for private conversation as the children drew the lady to Matilda’s pen. After some moments of admiring the goat, she announced that they’d all had enough excitement for one day. With that, she swept the children back towards the castle.

The earl shrugged on his coat as he watched his young relatives and Miss Collins disappear round the
corner
. Oliver wasn’t certain when it had happened, but he’d actually begun to like those two mischievous imps. Was that what Miss Collins had been trying to bring about? There had been a look of pure delight in her amber eyes as she’d watched the three of them hugging in the loft.

Clearly the children were going to be a handful, but with Miss Collins’s guidance, he was certain he would manage. But would the lady be at Hawk’s Lair much longer? The thought that she would be returning to her own life and affairs left him feeling unaccountably dissatisfied. Could he cope with the children without her guiding wisdom?

Then he remembered there was to be a female in his life—Lady Cora. For almost the entire week, he’d managed not to think about the woman his grandmother had him practically betrothed to. He hardly knew her, so why did the very thought of her plunge him into such gloom?