Page 23 of The Scarred Duchess
“Ladies, I believe we ought to return,” announced Reeves.
Miss Bennet waved at Master John, who gave her an ear-to-ear smile.I wonder what Bennet will make of this?
The families about Longbourn village knew Viscount Haydon only as Master John Smyth. Like all boys his age, he pursued all the acceptable sports—riding, hunting, shooting, and fencing, in which he showed early skill. Unlike many of his peers, he excelled in painting. His mother hung his watercolours in many a parlour. His daily masters came to ‘the cottage’, the name his father used for their Hertfordshire country estate, and filled his head with history, philosophy, foreign languages, science, and his favourite, mathematics.
He was learning to dance, as all gentlemen of his sphere would one day marry. “Dancing is the first step into a lady’s heart,” advised his mother with a smile, herself living daily in a romance for the ages. John pretended his stomach pained him upon every retelling of her first ball with his father, but secretly, he hoped for a match like theirs.
After breakfast, John begged his father to ride out with him. A knowing smile rewarded him doubly—a day in the saddle with his beloved Seshat and his father’s attention. The June weather caressed man and horse as they rode out to the fence lines.
“Father, are those Longbourn lands?”
“They are, my son. The Bennets have worked the lands for a century.”
“Is he not your good friend?”
“That he is.”
They lapsed into silence and might have ridden for miles had not the sound of children’s laughter captured their attention. John halted Seshat.
“Father, it must be the Miss Bennets.”
“I believe you are correct.”
“It has been too long since I have wished them a good day.”
“Were you not at Longbourn last week?”
John dropped his eyes, his face warm.
“As you wish.” He grinned at his father’s smile.
They slowly approached. Miss Elizabeth ran in large circles, her arms outstretched like a windmill. Her muslin frock billowed about her as she soared in a near-perfect ellipse repeatedly, the centre of her pattern inhabited by Miss Bennet. Straight cornflower blonde hair tied together by a delightful light-blue ribbon that bounced up and down, swung back and forth, as she tirelessly turned to follow the whirlwind’s trajectory.
John dismounted, waving at the girls. “Good morning, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. I wanted to present my good wishes in person.”
They curtseyed, but before another word was exchanged between the children, a deep voice called out.
“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth it is time for us to return home.” The rough-faced gentleman who was always near the girls walked towards them.
“Reeves, would you be so kind as to give Bennet my regards?”asked his father.
“The Colonel would favour a visit, sir.” He touched his nose.
John wrinkled his brow in confusion.Does Mr Reeves know my father?He led his horse to a stile, climbed up and remounted, then looked up at his father, who had an odd look on his face. “Is everything well?”
“Of course.” His father gave him a quick nod. “Come, let us escort the Miss Bennets. I have business with Mr Bennet.”
Upon arriving at Longbourn, John followed the girls up to the nursery.
“Enter,” Bennet called out.
Lambrook stepped inside, followed by Reeves. The serious look upon the latter’s face concerned him. “Lambrook. Sergeant?”
“We may have some trouble lurking,” offered Reeves. “More on his lordship than us.”
Lambrook nodded and paced over to the window. Bennet looked at Reeves. “Explain.”
The sergeant rubbed his nose. “Tis the second time I’se smells tobacco in the fields.”
