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with a plainly garbed woman. The sainted lady’s maid?
    Since he was already at the back of the small group of men, he simply turned down the path toward Mrs. Blake. She was far enough away that he had time to watch her move, still without the aid of a cane. She kept her head high, as if smelling crisp air redolent with recently picked apples and hearth fires.
    “I’m quite sorry my sister distracted you, Knightsbridge.”
    Robert turned his head to find Edwin Collins catching up with him. “Not a bit. I thought I’d say good morning.”
    “It was foolish for her to be out when we’re shooting,” Collins said, his breath huffing. “She could have been hurt.”
    Robert almost pointed out that she wasn’t anywhere near the pond, but he let Collins pull ahead of him and draw Mrs. Blake aside. The man spoke intently for several minutes, while Mrs. Blake’s expression remained impassive. The other woman, red-faced, looked off as if she wasn’t listening.
    At last Collins strode back toward his friends, pausing to give Robert a look. Obviously realizing he had no say in what Robert did, he only gave an impatient nod and strode away.
    The servant said something to Mrs. Blake, and her head came up quickly as he approached.
    “Forgive me, Lord Knightsbridge,” she said coolly. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”
    “I heard nothing, Mrs. Blake. It simply looked like a brother and sister conversing.” But he knew he’d seen a warning. Apparently only Miss Collins was allowed to consort with their guests.
    She gave a grim smile. “That is kind of you.” Her expression eased and she turned her head slightly toward her servant. “This is my lady’s maid, Molly. Molly, the Earl of Knightsbridge.”
    It wasn’t often a woman introduced a peer to her servant; he admired that about her.
    Molly sank into a deep curtsy and her blush emphasized her freckles. “Good morning, milord.”
    He smiled at her. “The two of you make quite a sight on an early morning.”
    Molly bit her lip, even as Mrs. Blake asked dryly, “You mean like Punch and Judy?”
    He laughed. “Not at all. It is inspiring to see you out and about, without even a cane. I hope my admiration isn’t offensive.”
    “It is not, my lord,” she said at last, a faint smile curving her lips.
    “May I walk with you?”
    “You may.”
    He took her arm and placed it on his, and she seemed surprised.
    “I know you can walk unassisted, but there is something about an autumn morn with a lovely woman on your arm that a man can’t resist.”
    “You are a charmer, my lord,” she said, shaking her head.
    Molly fell behind them as they began to walk toward the garden, giving them enough room to speak privately.
    “You don’t need to treat me like this,” Mrs. Blake said at last.
    He glanced down at her in surprise. “Like what?”
    “Like you’re flirting with me. We both know you’re playing a part.”
    “I am so glad you see through to what you think I’m doing.”
    She gave a soft laugh.
    “This isn’t a part I’m playing, Mrs. Blake,” he said, his voice a bit more serious. “I wanted to get to know you and your family. I’m doing so, am I not?”
    “You are,” she admitted with obvious reluctance.
    “Do I make you uncomfortable—or cause you problems with your family?” he added, more to the point.
    “I am not uncomfortable—simply unused to being brought to people’s attention. There are some benefits to being invisible.”
    “Invisible,” he mused, keeping his voice light although he felt a stir of anger on her behalf. “I often wished to be so when I served in the army. It makes one not a target.”
    “Exactly. And now you’re home, taking up the responsibilities of the earldom, and I imagine you’re far more visible than you’re used to.”
    “Perceptive, Mrs. Blake. Then we have something in common.” They strolled in silence for a moment as they entered one of the garden’s gravel paths. The last daisies were dying,