The Bedford Beauty (A Regency Novella) Read Online Free Page B

proximity.
    “Certainly,
my lord,” Alice replied.
    “Excellent.
Now, how are the war heroes? Have they acclimated to country life once again?”
he drawled with polite interest.
    Alice smiled
and replied, “They are well but you should ask them yourself, my lord.”
    They rambled
amicably toward the two younger gentlemen. She sensed a change in them as she
neared. They were not the light-hearted, mischievous men she knew. The sober
and serious looks they exchanged right before Lord Bedford and she reached them
made her uneasy.
    “Look who I
found in the meadow after the two of you decided to abandon me,” she teased to
lighten the mood.
    Dayton raised
an eyebrow and gave a slight bow to Lord Bedford.   Blake shocked her by turning his mount and
moving away from them without a word or a bow. He snubbed Lord Bedford or was
it both of them? What was wrong with Blake, he acted like a moody child today.
    “Mr. Fulton,
welcome home,” Lord Bedford spoke with admirable calm after watching Blake's
back for a moment.
    “Thank you,
my lord,” Dayton relied formally, “Shall you join us for a ride?”
    “With Miss
Fulton’s permission,” Lord Bedford replied.
    “Yes, of
course,” Alice smiled and they set off.
    Dayton caught
up with Blake who sat ramrod straight in his saddle. Alice had never seen him
so tense before. Something was wrong and she desperately wanted to go to him
and beg him to talk to her. The thought of Blake hurting made her feel ill.
    Lord Bedford
engaged her in light conversation as they brought up the rear, but she replied
with brief answers as her thoughts were on Blake.
    “You seem
distracted Miss Fulton. Could young Mr. Hadley be the cause?” Lord Bedford
asked suddenly.
    Alice’s first
reaction was to deny being distracted, but Lord Bedford looked genuinely
interested in her response.
    “I apologize,
my lord. I am concerned for Mr. Hadley. He is a dear friend and something pains
him.”
    “I see.
Perhaps you should encourage him to talk to you,” he suggested.
    Why is he so
interested in having a conversation about another man?
    “Of course,
that is excellent advice.”
    They approached
a tenant cottage on Fulton land in bad need of a roof repair. Dayton and Blake
were talking with the tenant, John Wilson, and checking on his progress. Alice
and Lord Bedford neared the cottage and Dayton approached them.
    “John could
use assistance to get the roof repairs complete before the afternoon storm
arrives. Hadley and I offered to assist.”
    “Splendid. I
shall assist as well.” Alice wanted to confront Blake and understand his anger.
He never looked their way as he took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves and
assisted John.
    Dayton
frowned and replied, “Of course.”
    He knew she
couldn't repair a roof and a lady would never offer such assistance, but he
possessed enough manners to not expose her in Lord Bedford's presence.
    “I’m happy to
escort you back to Fulton manor,” Lord Bedford responded politely.
    “No thank
you, my lord. I am eager to spend time with my brother. Thank you for
accompanying us on a ride. I look forward to the assembly.”
    Lord Bedford
hopped down from his chestnut horse and strode up to her. Alice watched his
graceful approach. He reached out and grasped her waist, lifting her down from
her mare. He secured her hand and moved it to his lips while maintaining eye
contact with her. She couldn't quite keep the blush from staining her cheeks as
his breath warmed her gloved hand.
    “Until
Saturday, Miss Fulton,” Lord Bedford murmured, and returned to his horse.
    “Good
afternoon, Mr. Fulton.” Lord Bedford cast a quick glance over at Blake before
clicking the reins and trotting toward Fulton manor.
    Alice counted
the seconds until he left them. She should be grateful he had bestowed so much
attention on her, but her thoughts were single-mindedly focused on Blake.
    Dayton turned
to her once Lord Bedford was out of hearing range. “Why do you want to