Read Douglas: Lord of Heartache for Free Online

into the stable yard as she gave the girth a final tug.
    She looked at him askance. “Sir?”
    “I will assist you to mount,” Douglas informed her, reasoning that if she could tolerate his fingers laced with hers, she could tolerate his hand on the ankle of her boot, because when all a man had to offer was good manners, by God, he would offer same.
    And something about their exchange at lunch had made it imperative that he offer them to Miss Hollister, will she, nil she.
    “That would be most kind,” she replied. “On three,” she said, bending her left knee so Douglas could grasp the ankle of her boot and hoist her aboard her gelding. “Thank you, my lord.”
    “Most welcome,” he replied—sincerely—before going to his horse, checking the girth and fit of the bridle, then swinging up. “What is our agenda for the afternoon, Miss Hollister? I confess, when you offered me the use of a guest room at luncheon, I was tempted to catch a nap.”
    She smiled over at him as their horses walked out of the yard, the fleeting, shy, genuine smile that hinted at the girl she’d been. Her mood, it seemed, was improved for having eaten—or for having been given a respite from his company.
    “We did get an early start. We will ride up to the trout pond and inspect the ditches used for irrigation along the way. Autumn can be as dry some years as it is wet other years, and then you end up with less grass the next spring, not even realizing how much you lost from drought rather than cold.”
    “There is much to learn. I am feeling decidedly overwhelmed.”
    “Good.” The dratted woman’s smile turned smug. “Taking responsibility for the land and the people on the land is a serious endeavor. Agriculture has become a rapidly changing science, and if the owner of the property doesn’t care to keep pace, why should his employees or tenants?”
    “You make a valid point,” Douglas allowed, then fell to considering her point silently. After noting numerous locations where the lads would have to clear ditches and grates before winter set in, Miss Hollister drew up at a stand of trees, in the middle of which lay a sizeable pond.
    “This is one of my favorite places on the estate. Let’s get down and let the horses rest a bit, shall we?”
    Douglas’s weary fundament found that a capital notion. Before the lady could hop down on her own, Douglas was beside her mount, reaching up to assist her from her horse. She allowed it without comment, and even remembered to murmur her thanks. She slipped off her horse’s bridle and indicated Douglas should do the same.
    “Your daughter is taking the air.” The pond, its copse of trees, and a small white gazebo sat in a high meadow overlooking the buildings and grounds of the Enfield manor house. In the distance below, Rose skipped out on the terrace, a large pad of paper in her hand, a nurse and a shaggy brindle mastiff trailing behind.
    “She likes to be outside,” Miss Hollister said, “as do I.”
    For several minutes they watched Rose settling in at a table, the dog arranging itself at her feet, then Miss Hollister walked off toward the gazebo. “Come,” she said, “we can sit in the shade, and I will explain to you about ponds.”
    A riveting prospect indeed , though Miss Hollister’s retreating form also bore a certain charm .
    What Douglas would have enjoyed most at that moment was taking off the boots he’d had on since sunrise and stretching out on a blanket in the grass, there to sleep for several hours in blissful solitude. He was not so tired, however, that he didn’t notice Miss Hollister was continuing on her way without him.
    A bit of teasing was permitted. Just a bit, for form’s sake, surely?
    “Miss Hollister?” She stopped, turned, and arched a brow at him. He winged his arm at her. She pressed her lips together and came striding to his side.
    ***
    Gwen let the blighted man escort her to the small, white octagonal building at the edge of the pond and