Under the Mistletoe with the Viscount (Unlikely Lords #6)

Chapter 3

A fter agreeing to go with Miles to the Fleming estate, Noah was in his bedchamber while his valet was packing the valise.

“Are you sure you don’t wish me to accompany you?” Searle asked.

“It won’t be necessary. I’m not sure how long I’ll be staying at Lord Fleming’s estate,” Noah said. “I can certainly take care of myself for a few days.”

The valet finished packing Noah’s valise. “If you wish to extend your visit, please send a note, and I’ll make arrangements to join you with your trunk.”

“Thank you, Searle. Why don’t you take a few days off to visit your family? I’m sure they’d love to see you.”

“Thank you, sir. I’d like that.”

“Good. I’ll see you soon,” Noah said, grabbing his valise and heading out to the mews.

“Good morning, Mr. Hughes,” the groom said. “Midnight is all saddled. He’s a bit frisky this morning.”

Noah chuckled, stroking the stallion’s head. “Good boy, want to go on a run today?”

The horse nickered, and the groom secured Noah’s valise to the saddle.

Noah was climbing into the saddle when he saw Miles come down the path on his stallion, Vulcan. He waved to his friend.

“Good morning,” Miles said as he came alongside Noah. “Good day for a ride, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Absolutely. Now, shall we depart so we can get out of London before the streets become clogged with all manner of folk?”

“Absolutely. Lead the way.”

As luck would have it, they made it out of London in fairly good time. They set a leisurely pace so as not to overtire the horses and finally made it to the White Swan Inn by late afternoon.

“Good day, Mr. Hughes,” the innkeeper, Mr. Hutchins, said. “Always a pleasure to see you again.”

Noah had been stopping at the inn on his way to and from his uncle’s estate in Oxfordshire for a number of years. He’d never been disappointed with the service or the food.

“Good day, Mr. Hutchins. You remember my friend, Mr. Walker.”

“Indeed I do. Good day, Mr. Walker,” he said before showing them to a table near the back. “My wife has made a lovely stew today. Would you care for some ale?”

Both Noah and Miles nodded.

“Do you wish to stay the night?” Noah asked Miles. “I don’t relish the idea of being in the saddle for another three hours.”

“That will be fine,” Miles said. “Fleming isn’t expecting us until tomorrow. I thought there’d be a chance you’d want to stop for the night.”

The kitchen maid, Daphne, brought over their mugs of ale. “Gentlemen, your food will be ready soon.”

“Thank you, Daphne,” Noah said, giving her a brilliant smile. “Could you ask Mr. Hutchins to attend me when he has a moment?”

“Of course, sir,” she said and scurried away to find the innkeeper.

It took only a few moments before Mr. Hutchins was at their table. “Mr. Hughes, is something amiss?”

Noah shook his head. “Not at all. Would you have accommodations available for the night?”

“Of course. Would you like one room or two?”

“Two, if they’re available,” Noah said.

“Very good. I’ll have your rooms prepared while you eat dinner,” the innkeeper said before rushing away.

The aroma of lamb stew made Noah’s stomach rumble. “This smells delicious,” he said when Daphne placed two steaming bowls of stew and slices of freshly baked bread on the table.

“Would you care for anything else?” she asked.

“No, thank you. This is fine for now.”

Neither man wasted time delving into the delicious dinner. When they were nearly finished eating, Mrs. Hutchins sent over two slices of lemon cake.

As Noah leaned back after devouring everything on his plate, he sighed. “That was an outstanding dinner.”

“I agree. I’m not used to eating that much. I need to stretch my legs a bit before we retire for the night. Care to join me?”

“I would,” Noah said, following his friend outside. The countryside was full of shadows as the sun slipped behind the horizon. “It’s beautiful out here. I always forget how many stars are in the night sky,” Miles said.

“Agreed. The London sky is always so smoky that it’s a wonder we ever see a star in Town.”

After a leisurely stroll around the grounds, the men headed back inside the common room.

“Are you gentlemen ready to retire?” Mr. Hutchins asked.

“Yes. It’s been a long day,” Noah said.

Mr. Hutchins led them upstairs and showed them to their respective rooms.

“Thank you, Mr. Hutchins. I wish you a pleasant evening.”

“You as well, Mr. Hughes,” Mr. Hutchins said, handing him the key.

A steaming pitcher of hot water and a basin sat on the small table. This was why he liked the White Swan Inn —he was always so well looked after without having to request every little thing. After washing, Noah stripped down to his small clothes and climbed into bed. As he lay there, his mind was a whirlwind of confusing thoughts about Lady Williams.

Had she enjoyed his company as much as he’d enjoyed hers?

Would she welcome a visit from him or had he waited too long to contact her?

Did she think he’d just been toying with her at the house party? Nothing could be further from the truth. He’d felt so alive when he was with her—something he’d never experienced with any other woman of his acquaintance.

As sleep overtook him, her beautiful face was the last thing he saw in his mind’s eye.

The next day dawned bright, and after a hearty breakfast, Noah and Miles were on the road to the Fleming estate.

“So, what made you decide to share your expertise on investments with Fleming?” Noah asked. “It’s not something you usually do. As a matter of fact, you’ve always been very tight-lipped about your investing advice.”

“That is true, but as I got to know Fleming better, I realized I had more in common with him than I thought. He was country gentry like me before he inherited his title. He told me it was a tragedy that saw him become Lord Fleming. His brother and nephew both drowned in a boating accident and as the only surviving male in the family, he became the new baron. His newly elevated status didn’t change him though. He remained the same jovial man he’d always been. His tenants love him, and he wants to do everything he can for them, so he asked my advice. The yearly profits can only improve the estate so much.”

“Is the estate solvent?”

“Yes, but his finances could be improved upon. Once I understand more fully what he’d like to accomplish, I’ll know how to advise him on the best investments.”

“You’re a good friend, Miles.”

“Thank you, Noah. Good of you to say.”

They reached the Fleming estate by noon and were met with an enthusiastic welcome. “Gentlemen, I’m so pleased to see you again,” Fleming said, standing in the open doorway. “You must be quite famished after your journey. Come, Cook has prepared a lovely luncheon.”

Noah and Miles handed their horses off to a groom and followed Fleming inside.

As they enjoyed a delicious luncheon, all Noah could think about was that Lady Williams was less than an hour away. Being this close to her made him yearn for her company even more. He planned to visit the lady he couldn’t stop thinking about at the first opportunity.