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going to be very careful in the matches he made. Now he could afford to be choosy.
    “ Papa! ” Blaze had stopped her headlong flight and was now calling him.
    Robert Morgan waved his hand at her and grinned. “I am coming, Blaze,” he shouted. “I will race you to the lake!” Kicking his stallion into a gallop, he raced after his daughter, who, hearing his words, had already sent her own horse into flight.

Chapter 2

    “ Y ou place us in a difficult position, sir,” said Robert Morgan. There was no mistaking the irritation in his voice.
    Anthony Wyndham flushed, but he held his ground. “The matter is as hard for me, sir, as it is for you, but I am only following Edmund‘s—my uncle’s—orders.”
    “My daughter is a sensitive girl,” Lord Morgan protested. “She has never even met the earl. Finding herself promised in marriage to a stranger has taken some getting used to for her. Yet knowing that she would meet her betrothed before the wedding within the bosom of her family has helped her to come to terms with this match. Now you tell me that you have come to wed Blaze by proxy for your uncle, and that you will escort her back to him at RiversEdge. I like it not, sir!”
    “I have already explained to you, my lord, why my uncle has sent me to ask this of you. You and your family are invited to come back to RiversEdge with me for the second ceremony.”
    Lord Morgan slammed his fist into the palm of his other hand. “We cannot leave Ashby right now, sir! It is the harvest season. All hands, even our fine white noble ones, are needed here on this estate if my people and I are to survive the winter.”
    Anthony Wyndham’s manner softened. He knew the position that Lord Morgan was in, for his uncle had been more than frank with him. Only four years separated the two men, and having been raised together, they were more like brothers than uncle and nephew. “My uncle’s people need to see the ceremony of his new marriage. They need the hope that it offers them. Surely you understand this, my lord.”
    “Rob.” Rosemary Morgan spoke quietly. “It is certainly very disappointing for us not to have the full pomp of Blaze’s wedding, but I know that you would not endanger the match in your chagrin.” She smiled encouragingly at her husband.
    Anthony Wyndham thought to himself as he watched her that if the daughter was as lovely as the mother, then his uncle was certainly a fortunate man. Lady Morgan was a radiant beauty.
    “I know,” she continued softly to her husband, “that Blaze is your especial pet, but with our large brood there will be weddings aplenty. Those weddings cannot, however, take place unless this one does.” It was a gentle warning that even Anthony Wyndham understood.
    Lord Morgan gave a soft groan of defeat. “You are right, my love,” he said, and looking up, pierced the earl’s nephew with a half-angry gaze. “When?” he demanded.
    “Tomorrow, my lord. I must bring the bride to RiversEdge as quickly as I can.”
    “Blaze’s dower chest is in complete readiness,” said Lady Morgan, forestalling the new outburst she saw brewing in her husband’s blue eyes. “The proxy ceremony can take place first thing in the morning. It is better that our daughter not dwell upon this sudden change, although she will certainly be distressed.”
    Anthony Wyndham’s relief was openly visible. “I have brought with me a maidservant of my uncle’s to be a traveling companion to his betrothed wife. Her name is Heartha. She has with her the bridal garments and other clothing for the lady Blaze.”
    “I shall go and fetch my daughter,” said Lady Morgan. “I shall allow you to tell her of these changes, Master Anthony, for I believe you can do it better than either my husband or myself.” Rising from her seat, Rosemary Morgan hurried out.
    Lord Morgan snorted. Then he grinned broadly at his guest. “You do understand that my wife believes that if you tell Blaze, she will not cause a