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

Chapter 8

N oah gave Midnight his head , and the stallion galloped with ease across the meadow. It felt good to race.

He was still thinking about his disastrous visit to Crenshaw Manor. Where had the Lady Williams gone? She’d made no mention of planning to be away when she was at the Fleming house party, which made him wonder if her trip was a last-minute decision. The more he thought about his ill-fated visit to her home, the more he realized how arrogant he’d been to arrive at her doorstep and expect her to be there without sending a note ahead. Just because she hadn’t mentioned any upcoming trips didn’t mean she hadn’t planned one. But wouldn’t she have mentioned something about a trip in her note to him the morning she left? She’d specifically said she was looking forward to seeing him again.

Had he waited too long?

Lost his chance with the lovely woman?

He slowed Midnight, and they took a long leisurely ride around the estate. When he returned to the stables, he still had enough time to take a bath before teatime.

“How was your ride, Mr. Hughes?” the stablemaster asked.

“Excellent. Be sure to give Midnight some extra oats tonight.”

“Of course, sir.”

Noah made his way around the house, and Carlton opened the front door before he had reached the top step.

“Welcome back, Mr. Hughes,” he said. “I trust you had a pleasant ride.”

“Indeed I did, thank you. However, I’d prefer not to smell like a horse at tea,” Noah said. He was beginning to miss his valet and wondered if he should send for him.

“Of course, sir. I’ll arrange for a bath immediately.”

Noah went up the stairs and down the hall to his bedchamber. His thoughts were all in a jumble. He’d come to Fleming Manor with Miles because it was close to Crenshaw Manor, where he’d hoped to see Lady Williams again. Now that he knew she wasn’t in residence, there didn’t seem to be any compelling reason for him to stay. He’d tell his host that he’d be leaving in the next day or two and send a note to Searle to meet him at Harrison Manor in Oxfordshire.

He wanted to see his uncle, Viscount Harrison, and his cousin, Aiden. His cousin was younger than him at two and twenty, and Noah loved his brilliant mind. He enjoyed the young man’s company immensely and the rousing conversations they always had. Aiden was coming to stay with him in London next Season, and Noah was looking forward to it. Although Aiden had been to London before, it’d always been in the company of his father. Now that Aiden had finished his schooling, Noah had convinced his Uncle Charles that his son needed to enjoy the bachelor life for a while before he thought about seeking a wife. After many discussions, Charles had reluctantly agreed. Aiden had been delighted at the news.

It would be good to see them again. He’d not seen them since Christmastide, and he missed the only family he had left. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. “Come.”

Several footmen came into his room carrying buckets of steaming water and a large tub. When the tub was full, Noah discarded his riding clothes and sank down into the soothing water, taking a leisurely bath before dressing.

He was making his way to the parlor for tea when he saw Miles and Miss Bent. “Good evening.”

“Mr. Hughes, did you enjoy your ride today?” Miss Bent asked.

“I did indeed. Your father’s estate is quite spectacular,” Noah said.

“Yes, it is. Perhaps the three of us could go riding together?” She turned toward Miles. “Would you be agreeable to that, Mr. Walker?”

“Of course, that would be delightful.”

Noah noticed again that Miles was quite taken with Miss Bent. Had he finally found a woman who could tempt him out of bachelorhood? That would be an interesting turn of events. The three of them walked down the hall and entered the family parlor to find Lord and Lady Fleming already seated on the sofa. “There you all are,” Fleming said. “I was beginning to think we’d been abandoned.”

Miss Bent chucked. “Oh, Papa. Mr. Walker and I merely walked to the village earlier,” she said, kissing her father’s cheek.

“Find anything of note?”

“I did indeed,” Miss Bent said. “The astronomy book I ordered finally arrived from London, and Mr. Walker was kind enough to accompany me to pick it up.”

“That was indeed kind of you, Mr. Walker,” Lady Fleming said.

“It was my pleasure, Lady Fleming,” Miles said.

A maid entered the room and set out tea on the low table. “Shall I pour, Lady Fleming?”

“No, that will be all, Kate.”

The maid curtseyed and exited the room.

“Darling, will you pour?” Lady Fleming asked her daughter.

“Of course,” she said, setting about pouring the tea for everyone.

When they were all enjoying tea and biscuits, Carlton knocked and entered the room. “Miss Bent, this letter has arrived for you,” he said, holding out the silver salver.

Emma took the letter and broke the seal, and soon, a grin split her pretty face. “Oh, how wonderful. Lady Williams has invited me to tea tomorrow.”

“Lady Williams?” Noah asked.

“Yes, she lives nearby. Do you know Lady Williams?” Emma asked him.

“Yes. We met recently at your father’s house party. Please give her my best regards when you see her.”

“I will,” Miss Bent said.

That definitely lifted Noah’s spirits. Perhaps Miss Bent could find out if Lady Williams was still agreeable to having him call on her.

The rest of the evening passed quite pleasantly. Miss Bent entertained them playing some lively tunes on the pianoforte before the ladies retired, leaving the gentlemen to enjoy a glass of brandy before they also retired for the evening.

A disturbance in the hallway led to Noah’s valet, Searle, bursting into the room. “Lord Fleming, my sincerest apologies for this untimely intrusion, but I must speak to Mr. Hughes on a most urgent matter.”

Noah was shocked to see the man so distressed. His usual unflappable valet looked positively distraught. What could be so urgent that Searle would travel all the way from London to Guildford? He set his glass of brandy down and stood. “Searle, whatever is the matter?”

“Mr. Hughes, perhaps we should talk in private,” Searle said, trying to catch his breath.

Noah turned to address his host. “Please excuse me, Fleming,” he said before following his valet into the hallway. “What are you doing here, Searle?”

“I have most distressing news, sir. A letter arrived in London yesterday.”

“A letter? From whom?”

“From Lord Harrison. The messenger who delivered it said the letter was most urgent and that you must get it as soon as possible. I couldn’t imagine what could be so urgent, so I took the liberty of opening it. The news was indeed dire, sir. Your cousin has come down with a putrid fever.”

“Oh no! That’s dreadful. How is he?”

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Hughes, to bring you such tragic news, but your cousin succumbed to the fever,” Searle said, holding out the letter to him.

Noah stood stock-still, astonished at the turn of events. He had just been thinking of his uncle and cousin and had been planning to visit them in a few days.

Aiden was dead?

How was that possible?

He quickly scanned the letter.

While he was reading, Miles walked out into the hallway. “Noah, what’s the matter?”

Noah turned to his friend, feeling the tears prick behind his eyes. “Aiden is dead.”

“What? What happened?” Miles said, rushing to his friend’s side.

“A fever took him. I must go to my uncle immediately,” Noah said.

“Sir, I took the liberty of packing for the journey already. Everything is in the carriage, waiting for you.”

“Searle, take the carriage and go to Oxfordshire. It’ll be faster if I ride ahead. It won’t take me as long on Midnight.”

“Noah, I’m so sorry. This is the most distressing news. Shall I accompany you?” Miles asked.

“No, that’s not necessary, but thank you for the offer.”

“I’ll make your apologies to Fleming and have the stablemaster notified to saddle Midnight,” Miles said.

“Thank you, Miles. I must go change and leave immediately.”

Miles pulled Noah into a fierce hug and slapped his back. “Travel safe, my friend, and give my deepest sympathies to your uncle. If you have need of me, do not hesitate to contact me. I will come immediately.”

“Thank you, Miles.”

“Sir, I will help you change before I leave for Oxfordshire,” Searle said. Noah rushed to his bedchamber, where Searle helped him change into traveling clothes as quickly as possible. “I will see you soon, Mr. Hughes. Safe travels,” his valet said.

“Thank you, Searle. I appreciate you bringing me the news with such haste.” Noah grabbed his hat and gloves and headed back down to the stables. Midnight wouldn’t be happy to be out of the nice comfortable barn again today, but speed was needed here. He had to get to his uncle as quickly as he could. Aiden had been his uncle’s whole world, and Noah had no idea how he would fare without his beloved son.

Within minutes, Noah was on the road to Oxfordshire.