Susan Johnson Read Online Free Page B

his lack of airs unutterably refreshing and far removed from the noblemen she knew who flaunted their consequence. Even his conversation was simple and ordinary, without the bombast and pretense so common in the Ton . How enjoyable he was. What a pleasure it was to relax and laugh once again.
    As for Duff, he couldn’t remember when last he’d been so pleasantly amused. He would have to reward Eddie for having the foresight to suggest this visit.
    The others, too, took pleasure in the mummery and high spirits of the afternoon. Mrs. Foster experienced rare moments of joy after having felt only unremitting sadness since the death of her daughter. Eddie understood that the marquis’s, and consequently his life had taken a solid turn for the better. For her part, Molly relished watching the subtle interaction between her employer and the marquis. It appeared that the nobleman, who preferred being called Duff, was in full courting mode, while Miss Foster had smiled more this afternoon than she had the entire time Molly had been with her.
    “If you’re going for a ride, you’d best be off before the sun cools,” Annabelle’s mother suddenly asserted. Silencing her daughter’s impending protest with an upraised hand, Mrs. Foster added, “Don’t worry about Molly and me. We’re just fine. You know how you’ve always loved horses, darling.” She turned to Duff. “Before my dear husband died, we kept a small stable ourselves. Belle was the best rider in the family.”
    “Are you sure, Mother?” Annabelle’s inquiry was replete with caution.
    It was obvious who wasn’t sure, Annabelle’s posture ramrod-stiff. But taking advantage of the opportunity given him, Duff immediately came to his feet. “We won’t be gone long, Mrs. Foster. I’ll have your daughter back before dark.”
    Belle shot him a heated glance, not sure she cared to be given this Hobson’s choice. Even less sure she should go.
    Ignoring her fretful gaze, Darley offered her his hand. “My new mare is a darling. Eddie tells me she’s faster than blazes.” He grinned. “I don’t suppose you’d care to race?”
    Her expression implied not. Under her mother’s smiling gaze, however, Belle’s voice was silken. “Perhaps some other time, Darley. I don’t have my riding boots with me.” She lifted her hem to display blue leather half-boots that matched her simple gown.
    “Those will do perfectly well. We’ll ride at a sedate pace.” He took her hand, pulled her to her feet, and holding Annabelle’s hand firmly, Duff bowed to her mother. “Thank you for the tea and cake, Mrs. Foster. I can’t remember when I’ve had a more enjoyable afternoon.”
    “You’re welcome anytime, young man. Laughter is good for the soul, is it not?” Annabelle’s mother smiled. “Now be off, you two,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Have a most pleasant ride.”

Chapter
6
     
    “F or your information, Darley,” Annabelle muttered as they moved away from the tea table, “I abhor authoritarian men.”
    “Once we’re out of sight of your mama, I shall beg your forgiveness in every imaginable fashion,” he murmured, holding her hand tightly as she tried to wrestle her fingers free.
    “You took advantage!” she charged, mutinously.
    “I freely admit it, but if you knew how long its been since I’ve been in the company of a lovely woman, you’d overlook my incivility. Tell her, Eddie,” Darley said, glancing back at his batman. “Tell her how long we’ve been hermits.”
    “It’s been a right long time, Miss Foster.” Eddie caught up to them and met Annabelle’s gaze. “It were a blessing we saw you at the horse fair yesterday, miss. It were like the sky lifted, if’n you ken. The marquis ain’t been hisself of late, you see.”
    Annabelle glanced from man to man as though trying to gauge the honesty of Eddie’s assertions.
    “It’s God’s own truth,” Duff said, making a wry face. “You became a talisman of sorts yesterday. I