Page 24 of A Convenient Fiction

Alex wondered how much George had told her. Not too much, he’d wager. “Not at all. One grows tired of French casinos and supper parties with displaced aristocrats. The English countryside is a welcome change.”

“One can enjoy the countryside without learning the inner workings of a farm,” she said. “You needn’t feel obliged to accept my father’s offer of a tour. He won’t be offended if you beg off this afternoon.”

“On the contrary. I’m quite looking forward to learning more about Edgington Park. Farming is a particular interest of mine.”

“Indeed?” Her brows lifted. “Do you intend to settle in the country, sir?”

“I hope I might,” he said. “If I meet a suitable lady.”

“I can’t say I didn’t wonder. You spent a great deal of time talking with Laura yesterday.” Her smile turned brittle. “She hasn’t a bean, you know. And her brother and aunt are dependent upon her. No gentleman could ever persuade her to give them up.”

Alex regarded Miss Talbot with interest. Was she jealous of Miss Hayes? Or merely the type of lady who bristled at any perceived competition? “I haven’t any designs on Miss Hayes.”

It was the truth.

Miss Talbot looked somewhat mollified. “I daresay I shouldn’t have said anything. Laura is a childhood friend, and very dear to me. But a gentleman should be made aware of such matters before he risks his heart.”

“I assure you, ma’am, my heart is in no danger.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I wouldn’t like anything to disrupt my arrangements for George’s homecoming. I have so many things planned for us.” Her brown eyes lit with excitement. “On Thursday we’ll picnic, and Friday we’ll drive into the village in Papa’s barouche, and then…next week…” She leaned forward on the sofa. “I’m planning a grand excursion for us all.”

“That sounds promising,” he said. “Where will this grand excursion take us?”

Miss Talbot beamed. “Just you wait and see, Mr. Archer. Just you wait and see.”

Laura disembarked from the train at the Lower Hawley station, her valise clutched in her hand. It was only a humble platform halt with a ticket office. Nothing like the railway stations in London. Indeed, at half past three in the afternoon it was all but empty.

She crossed the platform, one foot in front of the other, never knowing from one moment to the next how she was managing to hold herself upright. Her chest was tight with emotion, her traveling dress dusty and rumpled from the journey. She needed a bit of privacy. Someplace she could indulge in a brief spate of tears before returning home to share the grim news with Teddy and Aunt Charlotte.

Empty as it was, there was no such privacy to be found on the platform. She descended the wooden steps to the dirt road. A farmer was nearby, loading up his cart with goods. She didn’t notice the smaller gig on the opposite side of him until its driver called out to her.

“Miss Hayes.”

Her head jerked up at the familiar deep voice, even as her spirits sank down to her boots. She was in no mood to spar. “Mr. Archer. Good afternoon.”

He stood beside the gig, securing a trunk onto the back of it with a length of rope. A heavy-boned chestnut gelding dozed in the traces. “Have you just returned from London?”

“As you see.” Her fingers tightened on the handle of her valise. “What are you doing here?”

“Retrieving my trunk from the station agent’s office.”

She hadn’t thought her spirits could get any lower. “You’re staying, then?”

“For the month, at least. Miss Talbot has a great many activities planned.”

“Well…” She could think of nothing more to say to him. Her thoughts were too much occupied with her own troubles at present. “I shall leave you to it.” She turned to go, only to stop short when he called after her again.

“Where are you headed?” he asked.

“Home,” she said. “To Bramble Cottage.”

“May I drive you?”

“No thank you.”

His mouth tilted up at one corner. He had a disconcerting way of half smiling. As if he were amused by some private joke. “Come, Miss Hayes. It’s hot as Hades this afternoon. I’m certain you’d rather ride than walk.”

“I can’t. Not with you.”