A Suitable Bride by Fenella J Miller Page B

other hand she was unable to close the door behind her and hoped it wouldn’t bang shut and wake the other guests who were sleeping in this part of the house.
    The shutters and curtains at the far end of the passageway hadn’t been drawn and sufficient light came in from the oriel window to guide her towards it. Hopefully she would be able to see something through the glass that would give her her bearings and allow her to negotiate the way around this vast establishment without becoming completely lost.
    The first glimmer of dawn on the horizon meant she could see she was facing east and acres of immaculately manicured parkland rolled away into the distance. There were stands of handsome cedar trees, yews and oaks and also what looked like a racetrack of some sort. She hadn’t been aware that this family were interested in racing and her pulse quickened.
    Did this mean there would be an opportunity to show off the prowess of her stallion? He was already in great demand for breeding and his progeny were much sought after in the locality. However, she’d yet to make any inroads with the gentlemen of the ton. If Rufus were to win a race or two whilst she was staying here this might make all the difference to her stud.
    Although ostensibly she was here to find herself an aristocratic husband she now viewed this as an opportunity to further her business interests. The trust fund would not become available until she married or reached the anniversary of her twenty-fifth name day. Her brow furrowed as she considered the implications.
    The ideal arrangement would be for her to marry a compliant husband, someone who would make no demands on her whatsoever and allow her a free hand to run the stud. The exact opposite of Lord Sheldon. It was as if a great weight had lifted from her shoulders. Now she could be herself, not worry if she offended the prim and proper matrons and their simpering daughters – she had no wish to attract the sort of gentleman who was looking for a young lady of good breeding and impeccable manners.
    From this point onwards she would search for either a very young gentleman who could be easily influenced or an older man who would be so besotted with his young bride he would allow her to do as she wished. The gentleman she was looking for must be an aristocrat of some sort, be kind and not lack for wit. She would prefer him to be personable, but the other criteria were far more important.
    Surely there must be someone who would do amongst those spending the summer at Silchester Court? Someone her father would be happy with so he would give his permission and thus release her funds?
     

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
    Grace tiptoed along the silent corridors until eventually she found the main staircase. She thought there might be maids on their knees scrubbing the floors but she was in advance of even those girls. There must be a side door that led directly to the stables and this would be easier to open than the front door.
    After several false ventures she arrived at an exit that would do. This had no key, just two bolts which she pushed back easily enough. She pulled the door closed behind her and stood on the flagstone pathway that ran between two high hedges, listening. Yes – this led to the stables for she could hear horses not far away.
    The path ended at an archway and she stepped through into an immaculate yard – not a wisp of straw or fork full of manure to be seen anywhere. Even here no one was yet at work. The loose box doors were closed and she could hardly go from one to the other looking in until she found Rufus.
    Then the familiar bark from one of her dogs led her to the rear of the stable block and she ran to unbolt the door that held them captive. She dropped to her knees and they jumped all over her. ‘Good morning to you, boys, I see you have comfortable accommodation and have been well looked-after. Now, show me where Rufus and the other horses are stabled.’
    The dogs