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

Chapter 20

S he walked into the dining room with Robertson to find that Noah and Miles had also arrived for breakfast. “Everything smells delightful. Noah, your cook is to be commended.”

“I heartily agree,” Miles said.

“I’ll be sure to pass on your compliments to Mrs. Peters,” Noah said, filling his plate with eggs, bacon, and toast.

“Well, as much as I adore your cook’s expertise, I’m afraid I must get back to Fleming Manor,” Miles said.

“Oh, is there a reason?” Olivia asked. She and Miles hadn’t had a chance to chat much since they’d arrived. It was usually the men advising Noah on estate management and her husband talking about Parliament. That left little time for Olivia and Miles to enjoy any extended conversations.

He smiled. “Indeed there is. I’m going to ask Miss Bent for her hand.”

“Oh, how wonderful!” Olivia exclaimed. “I know her through my friendship with Lady Williams and like her very much indeed.”

“She’s a lovely young woman and everything I could hope for in a wife. I shall, of course, seek her father’s permission first, though.”

“That is always the wisest course of action,” Robertson chimed in.

Olivia turned toward her husband. “My darling, I’ve not heard from Lady Williams yet, though I’ve sent her two notes. I’d like to travel with Miles to Fleming Manor and then on to Crenshaw Manor. I’m quite worried about my friend and need to see with my own eyes that she’s well. You don’t mind, do you?”

Robertson shook his head. “Not at all… that is if Miles is agreeable to the company.”

“I’m most agreeable. It’ll be delightful to have a traveling companion to make the miles go by faster.”

Olivia filled her plate and sat down at the table across from Noah. “Noah, may I share your feelings with Lady Williams?”

“Of course, I don’t mind at all. Do you think she’ll return with you for a visit?”

“That I don’t know. It’s very uncharacteristic of her not to answer my letters. That’s never happened before, and I want to make sure she’s well.”

“She has not answered my letter either,” Noah said.

“Noah, I found her quite receptive to hearing from you the last time I saw her before coming to Oxfordshire,” Miles said. “It does seem strange that she hasn’t replied to either of you.”

“Exactly, and that’s why I want to check on her personally,” Olivia said. “It’s a very odd situation.”

“Do you think she’s fallen ill?” Noah asked, concern written on his face.

“I don’t know, but I intend to find out. I’ll send word once I know the situation.”

“Thank you. I’d be most appreciative.”

After breakfast, Olivia went to find her maid. She found her in the dressing room.

Her maid turned to her when Olivia walked in. “My lady, do you need assistance?”

“I’m planning to travel with Mr. Walker to Fleming Manor and then on to Crenshaw to visit with Lady Williams.”

“Very good. When would you like to leave?”

“I believe Mr. Walker is packing now.”

The maid went to the armoire and pulled out Olivia’s trunk. “How long do you intend to stay?”

“I don’t know as of yet. Please pack for a sennight.”

“Of course. It won’t take long,” the maid said, pulling items from the armoire.

Within an hour, Miles was handing Olivia and her maid up into the earl’s carriage, and their luggage was strapped down while Vulcan was tied to the back of the carriage.

Noah and Robertson stood in the drive to see them off.

“I will write soon, my darling,” Olivia said, waving to her husband.

“Safe journey,” Noah chimed in.

Robertson waved, and he and Noah returned to the house.

“I do hope Lady Williams isn’t ill,” Noah said once they were inside the foyer.

“As do I, but make no mistake, my wife won’t rest until she finds out exactly what’s going on.”

Miles was beyond happy to finally be returning to Fleming Manor. During the weeks he’d been at Harrison Manor, he’d realized how much he cared for Miss Bent. Given their previous interactions, he was confident Fleming would have no objection to him offering marriage to his daughter, but he was still a bit nervous. Asking any man for his daughter’s hand in marriage was always fraught with uncertainties, although he’d gotten to know Fleming quite well over the summer and liked him immensely and thought the feeling was mutual.

“So, Miles, how long have you carried a tendre for Miss Bent?” Olivia asked.

Miles looked over at Olivia’s maid to make sure she was still sleeping. He didn’t wish for her to hear his most private thoughts. “Over the course of the summer, she and I had many opportunities to converse. Much to my delight, I found that Miss Bent is an excellent conversationalist. She’s no vapid miss, only interested in fashion and gossip.”

“Yes, I’ve always enjoyed our conversations when I visited with her and Lady Williams.”

“So, do you approve of the match?” Miles asked.

“Oh, very much so. You’re an upstanding gentleman, and I wish you both much happiness.”

Miles chuckled. “Thank you, but first, I must secure her father’s permission, and then the lady needs to accept my proposal.”

“I’m sure both of those things will happen expeditiously.”

They drove for most of the next two days, stopping at local inns along the way. On the third day, they finally stopped at an inn near dinnertime. Miles stepped down from the carriage. “Let me check to see if there are rooms available for us here.”

“Thank you.”

He walked into the common room of the inn and saw the innkeeper behind the counter.

“Sir, may I inquire about the availability of two rooms for the evening?”

The innkeeper looked up. “Good day to you, sir. I’m Mr. Hawkins. You’re in luck. We have only two rooms left, although one of them is small and overlooks the back of the inn. Will that be suitable?”

“That will be fine. I’ll also need my horses taken care of, as well as my driver.”

“Of course, sir. That’s not a problem,” Mr. Hawkins said.

Miles paid for the rooms and went back outside to the yard, where a groom stood by the carriage horses.

“Will you be staying the night, sir?” the groom asked.

“Yes, please take care of the horses and show my driver where he may get a bite to eat and a place to sleep for the night.”

“Of course.”

Miles handed Olivia and her maid down from the carriage, and they walked into the inn’s common room.

Mr. Hawkins greeted them. “Good day, my lady. Let me show you to your room.”

“Thank you. That would be lovely, and my trunk will need to be brought up as well.”

“Of course. I’ll see to it,” Mr. Hawkins said.

They followed the innkeeper up the stairs and down the hall. Halfway down the hallway, he stopped and inserted the key. “My lady, this room is one of my finest.” He pushed open the door, and Olivia walked in.

She looked around. The room boasted a large bed, a table and chairs, and an armoire. There was also a bowl and pitcher on the chest. “It’s a lovely room. Thank you, Mr. Hawkins,” she said, taking the key he offered.

“A maid will bring up some hot water. Will you be eating downstairs?”

“I’d like a dinner tray sent up, thank you.”

“Of course,” the innkeeper said before turning to Miles. “Sir, your room is at the end of the hallway. Please follow me.”

“Lady Robertson, I wish you a pleasant evening,” Miles said. “Shall we continue our journey after breakfast tomorrow?”

“Yes, that would be most agreeable. Good evening, Mr. Walker.”

Miles followed Mr. Hawkins to the end of the hallway. The innkeeper was correct—the room was only big enough for a bed and a small table with two chairs. On the table was a pitcher and bowl to wash the road dirt off.

“I’ll send the maid up with some hot water. Would you also like a dinner tray sent up?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Mr. Hawkins handed him the key and left the room.

As promised, a maid soon appeared with hot water and a dinner tray. The stew smelled delicious, and Miles realized he was quite hungry, even though Noah’s cook had packed them a picnic basket for the journey. Traveling always made him hungry. On his tray sat a bowl of stew, freshly baked bread, an ale, and a slice of lemon cake.

“I appreciate your promptness,” he said, handing her a few coins.

“Thank you, sir,” she said with a curtsey and left the room.

After washing up, Miles ate everything on the tray with relish. Before he settled in for the night, he walked down the stairs and out to the stables to check on their driver and the horses.

Vulcan whinnied when Miles walked in. He went to the horse and stroked his neck. “Rest well, boy. We’ll be back at Fleming Manor soon enough, where you can run and stretch your legs.”

Their driver had been given a bunk in the hay loft. “John.”

“Yes, Mr. Walker.”

“We’d like to be back on the road immediately after breakfast tomorrow.”

“Of course, sir. We should reach Guilford in four or five hours.”

“Excellent. Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Mr. Walker.”

Miles walked outside and gazed at the stars. He couldn’t help but think back to the last time he viewed the evening sky with Emma. Had she missed him as much as he missed her? It certainly seemed so if her letters were any indication. He patted his coat pocket to make sure they were still there.

“It won’t be long now, my love, before you’re back in my arms again,” he said before heading back to his room.