Page 3 of The Earl and His Lady

Lucas no longer felt the sharp stab of pain Abigail’s memory used to cause. Instead, an empty sort of feeling entered his heart, echoing with his memories.

“Thank you, Gresham,” he said, trying to push the strange sensation from his mind. He stripped his gloves and hat away, handing each to the old man.

“London not to your liking, my lord?” the astute old man asked, raising a pair of bushy white eyebrows. “Or is it business that brings you home?”

“Oh, just wanting a change of scenery.” Lucas froze when his words rang through the empty hall, reverberating back to him. He took a few steps further inside, hearing the click of his boots on the marble. “Where is everyone?”

“We weren’t expecting you, my lord,” Gresham reminded him, the faintest note of disapproval in his tone. “There is a fair in Rothwell and many took their free day to attend. The grounds staff went yesterday, the majority of the house staff today.”

Lucas nodded, taking in the darkened hall and closed doors of the downstairs rooms. “But you didn’t go, Gresham?”

“My lord,” Gresham said, making his way to the cloakroom to lay aside Lucas’s things. “I am hardly at an age for fairs that require more than a short cart ride to attend.”

Darting a glance at him, Lucas saw a good-natured smile on his butler’s face, but the truth of the statement still gave him pause. “How old are you, Gresham?”

“Sixty-nine, my lord.” Gresham bowed at the admission, then straightened back up as tall and proper as ever he had stood. “And grateful for every day of it.”

Lucas didn’t think he could say exactly the same of his own thirty-three years. “Good. Good.” He took a step toward the stairs but stopped. There would be no room ready for him. Barton, his valet, was still hours behind on the road with Lucas’s carriage full of luggage. Lucas hadn’t been patient enough to wait and travel in the loaded conveyance.

“Is Cook out, too?” he asked, his eyes following the staircase to the dark hall above.

“I’m afraid so. She left some cold ham and pickles, bread and cheese, for anyone who remained to have a pleasant repast. I could see to it you have tea and some refreshment, my lord. One of the kitchen maids remained.”

An empty house did not feel at all welcoming. Lucas shook his head. “No. No, that is not necessary. You said the grounds staff is present? I assume that includes those at the stables?”

“Yes, my lord.”

Lucas turned and held out his hands. “Then I must ask for my things back, Gresham. I think I will pay a visit to Gilbert. I’ll return later this evening and eat whatever can be found.”

“Very good, my lord.” Gresham handed the hat and gloves back to Lucas, and the earl hurried out the front door and into the open air of spring.

He let out a tight breath and looked up to the sky, noting the only clouds to be soft, gentle wisps of white that meant the day could be depended upon to remain pleasant.

Lucas went down the steps two at a time and walked at a fast clip to the stables.

Cutter, the stable master, came forward quickly. “Welcome home, my lord.”

It was his second welcome, but while the stables were much more full of life and sound than the manor, the hollow, empty feeling stayed with Lucas. “Thank you, Cutter. Could you have Zephyr saddled? I’m taking a ride to the Gilbert estate.”

“A fine day for it, too, my lord. I’ll see to it myself.” Cutter bowed and disappeared further inside the stable while Lucas stepped outside of its doors.

He’d set the household on its ear, returning without warning. He knew Gresham was displeased, despite his matter-of-fact behavior. It really wasn’t fair of him to arrive unannounced, but Lucas did have standing orders that the staff were to be permitted holidays when the family was not at home. It was lax of him, he supposed, but he’d never had a problem until today.

“Zephyr, my lord.”

He thanked Cutter before mounting his favorite gelding, a chestnut beast tall enough to make Lucas comfortable. At just over six feet, it wasn’t often that Lucas found either horses or furnishings sized to his comfort.

Zephyr had obviously been well exercised in Lucas’s absence, as the animal did not become over-excited at the prospect of a ride. Lucas adjusted his hold on the reins, a little disappointed. A bruising ride would’ve done him good, but since he intended to visit Thomas Gilbert, he supposed it would be best to appear as presentable as possible. Especially if he hoped to be asked to tea.

Travelling always left him hungry.

Putting aside his other concerns and focusing on that alone, Lucas nearly succeeded in telling himself visiting a friend would improve his state of mind.

The butler at the Gilbert home did not act surprised to see the Earl of Annesbury on their doorstep without any warning, but Lucas supposed that was more a sign of good training than any actual lack of the emotion. As the highest-ranking gentleman in the county, Lucas’s visits caused a stir in every house he entered.

Hopefully, the Gilbert servants would grow more used to him. He liked Thomas Gilbert and his wife and intended to further the acquaintance when he was in residence at Annesbury.

“The Earl of Annesbury,” the butler announced at the door to the parlor.