society that would suffer if word got out about the arrangement. Miss Cantrell’s reputation was in the direct line of fire, and Gabe didn’t wish to complicate her uncertain future by having scandal attach itself to her name, to say nothing of his own situation. Her spirit and fiery determination had impressed him. It wasn’t a fit of childish pique that had caused her to run away but an honest desire to live her life on her own terms and not be forced into a loveless marriage against her will. It was a bold declaration of independence and strength of character that belied her tender years. Miss Cantrell’s attitude made him think of Hal’s wife Leah. She had shown equal determination to fend for herself when circumstances conspired against her.
If everything Miss Cantrell had told him was the truth. Gabe was inclined to believe her. If she’d come here with the intention of…well, compromising him, she wouldn’t have risked freezing to death in order to do so. Even so, he needed to be sure.
Gabe lingered over his coffee, waiting for his guest to show herself, but the subject of his mental perambulations didn’t materialise.
“Probably for the best,” he said aloud, surprising Munford who was standing statue-like against the wall.
“Can I be of service, m’lord?” the footman asked.
Hardly. “No thank you, Munford. Just thinking aloud.”
Setting aside his napkin, Gabe walked through the door that Munford opened for him, and went into the small sitting room where pen and ink were to be found. He wrote a brief note to Wright, the boson on Hal’s boat anchored in the inlet behind the Boar’s Head in Denby, and then rang for Munford.
“Have this delivered to the Boar at once. Unless Wright’s changed the habits of a lifetime, he’ll put in an appearance at the tavern before luncheon.”
“Right away, m’lord.”
If Miss Cantrell’s story was true, then there would be people in Denby looking for her. If they were there, Wright would be able to confirm it. Satisfied he’d done all he could to protect his position, Gabe shrugged into his greatcoat and headed for the stables. He made sure everything was as it should be in the yard, wondering why there was no sign of human life about the place. This morning he would make another attempt at the tour of the park he’d so far not managed to complete. He’d give Miss Cantrell’s problems some rational thought while he was about it and see if he could come up with a solution.
There seemed to be an inordinate amount of activity and laughter coming from the tack room, explaining why no one was at work in the yard. Curious, Gabe headed that way to see what the commotion was all about and stopped dead in his tracks when he looked around the open door.
“So this is where she prefers to take her breakfast,” he muttered beneath his breath, grinning in spite of himself. “I should have guessed.”
Miranda Cantrell sat on a crooked stool, drinking tea with the stable lads and chatting with them as though she’d known them her entire life. Tobias was with her, wagging enthusiastically, ready for any scraps that fell his way. Unsurprisingly, the lads had all been curious about her circumstances when Gabe had rescued her. It wasn’t every day that a half-dead woman was found hiding out in a barn in the middle of winter. He could see now that they were all completely taken with her, even level-headed Carter. She was a mere chit, fresh from the schoolroom, and yet she appeared to have them all eating out of her hand.
Gabe studied his guest, already able to see why. She was wearing her velvet habit, the one she’d had on continuously for two days and had been sleeping in when he’d rescued her. It looked in a much better state since the servants had given it their expert attention. The same could be said for Miss Cantrell herself. There was colour to her complexion this morning, her eyes were alight with laughter, and there was an engaging innocence about
If everything Miss Cantrell had told him was the truth. Gabe was inclined to believe her. If she’d come here with the intention of…well, compromising him, she wouldn’t have risked freezing to death in order to do so. Even so, he needed to be sure.
Gabe lingered over his coffee, waiting for his guest to show herself, but the subject of his mental perambulations didn’t materialise.
“Probably for the best,” he said aloud, surprising Munford who was standing statue-like against the wall.
“Can I be of service, m’lord?” the footman asked.
Hardly. “No thank you, Munford. Just thinking aloud.”
Setting aside his napkin, Gabe walked through the door that Munford opened for him, and went into the small sitting room where pen and ink were to be found. He wrote a brief note to Wright, the boson on Hal’s boat anchored in the inlet behind the Boar’s Head in Denby, and then rang for Munford.
“Have this delivered to the Boar at once. Unless Wright’s changed the habits of a lifetime, he’ll put in an appearance at the tavern before luncheon.”
“Right away, m’lord.”
If Miss Cantrell’s story was true, then there would be people in Denby looking for her. If they were there, Wright would be able to confirm it. Satisfied he’d done all he could to protect his position, Gabe shrugged into his greatcoat and headed for the stables. He made sure everything was as it should be in the yard, wondering why there was no sign of human life about the place. This morning he would make another attempt at the tour of the park he’d so far not managed to complete. He’d give Miss Cantrell’s problems some rational thought while he was about it and see if he could come up with a solution.
There seemed to be an inordinate amount of activity and laughter coming from the tack room, explaining why no one was at work in the yard. Curious, Gabe headed that way to see what the commotion was all about and stopped dead in his tracks when he looked around the open door.
“So this is where she prefers to take her breakfast,” he muttered beneath his breath, grinning in spite of himself. “I should have guessed.”
Miranda Cantrell sat on a crooked stool, drinking tea with the stable lads and chatting with them as though she’d known them her entire life. Tobias was with her, wagging enthusiastically, ready for any scraps that fell his way. Unsurprisingly, the lads had all been curious about her circumstances when Gabe had rescued her. It wasn’t every day that a half-dead woman was found hiding out in a barn in the middle of winter. He could see now that they were all completely taken with her, even level-headed Carter. She was a mere chit, fresh from the schoolroom, and yet she appeared to have them all eating out of her hand.
Gabe studied his guest, already able to see why. She was wearing her velvet habit, the one she’d had on continuously for two days and had been sleeping in when he’d rescued her. It looked in a much better state since the servants had given it their expert attention. The same could be said for Miss Cantrell herself. There was colour to her complexion this morning, her eyes were alight with laughter, and there was an engaging innocence about
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