Page 8 of The Swan Syndicate
Fitz ran a hand over it and rocked back and forth on his heels. “Oh, I guess it was during the sail to Chepstow when we traveled to Hereford for Ethan and Maire’s wedding.” He stepped next to her and held out a hand. When he pulled her up, he added, “The ladies seem to like it.”
Stella gave him a long perusal and matched his smile. “I can see why.”
Beckworth snorted. “Good lord, woman, he doesn’t need to hear that.”
They all laughed as Beckworth picked up his duffel and Fitz retrieved Stella’s.
“How did you know to be waiting for us?” Beckworth asked. “I told Barrington the date we’d attempt, but I didn’t think he’d post men to watch for us.”
“He didn’t. I just happened to be on my way back from Eleanor’s when I saw the fog. That’s a sight you never forget.”
“And that’s what the bet was about?” Stella asked. Fitz would bet the sun wouldn’t rise in the morning if the odds were worthit. What she really wanted to know was why he was at Eleanor’s, but she’d find out soon enough.
He gave her a wolfish grin. “You know what they say about the luck of the Irish.”
Stella followed the men as they chattered about changes to the manor’s security now that the matter of the stones was over. And there was a new foal from one of Beckworth’s prize stallions. It wasn’t difficult to see he wanted to go straight to the stables, but he stayed the course as Fitz walked them through the kitchen.
Fitz stopped at the staff’s long dining table where a meat pie, a biscuit, and a mug she assumed was ale waited for him. He gave the cook a kiss on her cheek, which made her blush, then he sat down. “They’ll be in your west study. Last I heard, there was some disagreement on who to invite to the hunting party.”
Beckworth stopped before turning for the stairs. “They haven’t sent the invitations yet?”
Fitz finished chewing his first bite of meat pie. “You’ll have to talk to Hensley about it. The hunt has been postponed for a fortnight.”
Stella glanced at Beckworth. His brows scrunched, forming those cute lines between his eyes. He didn’t respond and quickened his pace as he hurried up the stairs, leaving her to race behind him.
“Can you slow down? Where’s the fire?” she huffed, grateful she’d worn a used pair of old hiking boots she’d found at a thrift store. They were durable, comfortable, and plain enough to get by without much notice.
He paused when he reached the main floor and hooked his arm through hers. “I apologize. I suppose I was expecting a different homecoming.”
“Perhaps a more quiet one.”
He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Exactly.”
“And you thought the life of a viscount would be boring.”
“In retrospect, that was silly of me.” He stopped at the main staircase where Libby waited.
“It’s a pleasure to see the lord of the manor home safe and sound.” She curtsied.
Beckworth shook his head. “Good to see the staff still has a sense of humor.” From Stella’s understanding, he ran a very loose household compared to other aristocrats when he didn’t have guests. Libby always tested the boundaries.
Libby glanced past him to Stella. “Does Lady Stella want to go to her room to rest or join the men in the study?”
“I’m not ready to rest yet.” She held a hand over her belly. “I’m still waiting for my stomach to settle. What time is it, anyway? How soon before the next meal?”
“Lunch is still a couple of hours away. I’ll have cook send something to the study.” She winked at Beckworth. “It is good to have you home, sir.”
Beckworth touched her shoulder. “And it’s good to be home. Thank you, Libby.”
Fitz hadn’t mentioned who would be in the study, but apparently, Hensley had commandeered it. If Fitz was at the manor, then either Jamie, the captain of theDaphne Marie, or Lando, his second mate, could be there. She was hoping they all were.
But why postpone the hunting party? Hensley must be planning a mission. She glanced at Beckworth. There was a faraway look in his gaze along with a furrowed brow—he was processing.
“Are you sure you’d rather not go up and unpack?” he asked.
She passed him a look he knew all too well. “Not a chance in hell. I want to know what Hensley is up to as much as you do.”
“I’m sure the delay in the hunt is nothing more than finding a time when everyone will be available.”
