Miss Foxworth's Fate by Sahara Kelly Page A

compared to some other country homes, but had an air of contentment about it, as if it was quite happy the way it was, and so were its residents.
    None of whom, apparently, had been notified of their arrival. The front court was empty, and the door closed.
    “Is anyone home?” asked Abigail curiously.
    “Don’t know,” answered Philip. “I did send a message, but Augustus is notoriously absent-minded when it comes to visitors. He may be here, he may not. It makes no matter. I have a key.”
    Abby allowed him to hand her down from the curricle, reaching for her bonnet. His hand stopped her. “You won’t be needing that, Abby. Not here. We scientists are an informal bunch, you know. Protocol and etiquette are not things we care much about at all.”
    She let her hand fall away from her bonnet and simply nodded.
    He tethered his team to a convenient hitching post and tugged a bale of hay close. The water trough was full and clean, and the sun warm. Philip left them without a qualm. Together the couple mounted the steps, and Philip raised his hand to the huge wrought iron doorknocker which he let fall with an impressive thud.
    Several minutes later a rather harried servant appeared, dressed in shirtsleeves and a large apron. “Good heavens, Sir Philip. What a shock you gave me. Thought it was the toll of doom, for sure.” the man sputtered as he attempted to wipe his hands on his apron.
    “Sir Augustus didn’t get my message, then?” Philip asked the question quite casually.
    “He’s not here, Sir. ‘Tis just me, today. Sir Augustus took it in his mind to see some planetary alignment from an observatory built by a friend of his. He’s gone ‘til the weekend.” The man looked apologetic.
    “I’m sorry we missed him, Mumford. D’you think it would be all right if we visited for a while? I’d like to show Miss Foxworth around.”
    “Why of course, Sir. You’re a welcome guest any time, you know that. And you too, Miss.” He bowed politely. “I’m afraid there’s little to offer you in the way of refreshments, though. Mrs. Harper’s gone off to see her new grandson, so ‘tis just me...I could make some tea or something...” Mumford fluttered his hands rather helplessly, as if the thought of making tea was one of the mysteries of life.
    Philip chuckled. “Mumford. This is me, remember? I don’t need tea. And I’ve brought a luncheon for Miss Foxworth and myself. You just go off and do whatever you were doing, and don’t worry about us. We’ll take a peep at Augustus’s telescopes and then probably wander off into those orchards of yours and enjoy our lunch. I’ll let you know when we’re ready to leave. Does that fit in to your schedule?”
    Mumford allowed a grin to cross his features. “Indeed it does, Sir. Always the thoughtful visitor, you are. My schedule consists of cleaning the silverware, but I don’t mind telling you, I’d rather picnic in the orchard with a lovely lady any day.” He colored slightly and bowed to Abby.
    She smiled back. “What a lovely compliment. Thank you, Mumford. I can assure you I won’t touch anything or get in your way.”
    “Not at all, Miss. Touch whatever you want. Sir Philip here is about as good as Sir Augustus at this stuff. He can show you everything.”
    Indeed, thought Philip. That pretty much summed up his plan for the day. He was, without a doubt, going to show Abigail everything .
    And very little of it had to do with astronomy.
     

 
     
    Chapter 7
     
    Abigail felt a shiver of expectancy run through her as Philip slid his hand beneath her arm and brushed her breast as he did so.
    It was a genteel gesture, intended to guide her up the stairs to Sir Augustus’s observatory, but instead of sending thoughts of science her way, it sent other more wicked thoughts screaming through her brain.
    She reprimanded herself. She was here to pursue one of her interests. Astronomy. Not Philip Ashton. And she was lying to herself once more.
    The rooms