Page 31 of The Lord I Once Loved

She began to speak, her expression guarded.

“Oh, nothing, I think we’re just going back-”

“Nonsense, Amelia.” Miss Radcliffe interrupted, giving her a look. “We were just going to walk to the village. Would you like to join us, my Lord?”

I saw Amelia’s expression grow even more annoyed.

“Of course, thank you for the invitation, Miss Radcliffe.” I responded, smiling instead at her light brown-haired companion, who was now glaring at me.

“Let’s meet by the lane in ten minutes, shall we?”

Miss Radcliffe nodded, her green eyes twinkling, and the ladies took their leave. Amelia, for her part, seemed to be sending me daggers through her eyes.

This was going to be fun.

Thewalktothevillage from Rosehill was short and pleasant, with all of the best that England in late summer had to offer. The lane was perfumed by the smell of primroses and honeysuckle. After days of rain, a cobalt blue sky had finally broken through the clouds, sending bright sunrays down to warm the wet earth.

It was impossible, in such an environment, to be unhappy. Even I found myself forgetting my constant desire to drink… though I had brought my flask along, of course, as I always did.

“Marvelous!” Miss Radcliffe said, skipping ahead a few paces.

I grinned, watching Amelia. She was trying not to smile, too, but I knew she was enjoying herself. Every so often, she’d look over at a bluebird in the hedge, and a small smile would betray her carefully neutral expression.

“Miss Allen,” I said, “I believe we used to climb these trees, did we not?”

There was a row of apple trees along the lane, perfect for climbing. I actually could not recall if we had indeed climbedthesetrees… but it was a reasonable enough guess.

She blushed.

“I can’t recall…”

Miss Radcliffe stared at her with an open mouth.

“You used to climb trees, Amelia?”

Amelia finally laughed, breaking her carefully practiced neutrality, and the sound was like birdsong.

“I might have.”

“Are you shocked, Miss Radcliffe?” I asked.

The girl cocked her head, examining Amelia for a moment. She finally spoke, a grin spreading across her face.

“Not at all, actually. Amelia is always full of surprises. By this point, I should come to expect them.”

My old friend rolled her eyes, hitting Miss Radcliffe playfully across the arm.

I let the two of them chat, walking a few paces ahead of me, as I took a long swig from my flask. The gin burned my throat as it went down.

“Ah, the village is just over the next hill.” Amelia said, a genuine smile on her face.

And only a few minutes later, we were in the bustling country town. The small streets were busy with people out shopping, making the most of the beautiful summer weather. I had no business in the village myself, so I let the girls lead the way.

As we walked, the crowds moved out of our way, all eyes on me. I heard villagers whispering my name, staring at me with surprise and, occasionally, apprehension. Of course, as their Lord, they knew who I was… but I hadn’t been here in years. My sudden arrival was likely a surprise… and, based on the looks they were giving me, my reputation had apparently preceded me.

We finally entered the fabric store. Miss Radcliffe, as she declared, was after a few new ribbons. The shopkeeper, his eyes full of surprise, fell into a deep bow as I entered.

“Good afternoon, my Lord.”

---