Abandoned to the Prodigal - Mary Lancaster Page 0,25

not desert her, as even her family was doing, punishing her for another’s crime, for being in the wrong place at the wrong time and trying to do the right thing. In this situation, she needed him, which was a novelty for Dan. He would just have to take greater care that they were not discovered.

It was quite clear when he reached Myerly land. The fields looked different. The scattered cottages were neglected, as was the hamlet where he stopped at the tavern for a mug of small beer. He strolled outside and sat on the bench, Gun at his side. Being friendly by nature, he fell into conversation with a passing laborer and then walked most of the way to the house with a tenant farmer.

The conversations were enlightening, confirming his suspicions about his grandfather’s neglect of the land, but providing him with some actual knowledge. It was an interesting problem in its own way, and his mind alternated between farming and Juliet as he strolled up the drive, now holding onto the increasingly stringy, damp velvet. He really needed a length of leather.

Griffin opened the door, his eyes wide and almost popping.

“What’s the matter?” Dan asked, amused, brushing past him. “It’s only mud. The dog—” He broke off, his mouth falling open as he understood Griffin’s astonishment.

It had nothing to do with Dan, or even Gun, but with the lady drifting across the hall, smiling at him as if they had already met for breakfast this morning.

“Good morning, Dan,” she said cheerfully.

He closed his mouth and, giving in to Gun’s demented pulling at his leash, went forward to embrace her. “Mother.”

She clung to him for a moment, while Gun, whining with joy, pressed against her skirts. Behind her usual insouciance, it was not easy for her to be back here, with the old tyrant upstairs and her sisters…

Over his mother’s head, he saw his aunts in the doorway of the breakfast parlor. Hetty looked anxious, Tabetha, thin-lipped and grim. Behind them, Colin appeared, looking Dan up and down as though more pained by the state of his dress than by the presence of the scandalous Mrs. Stewart.

“Perhaps the drawing room?” Griffin murmured, and Dan saw that several servants had gathered outside the baize door, smiling hugely but goggle-eyed and avid to see the next quarrel.

“Excellent idea,” Dan said, releasing the leash into Griffin’s care and offering his arm to his mother. “Have you eaten?”

“Sadly, breakfast is over.”

Dan glanced behind him at Griffin, who, having hastily passed the dog to a footman, inclined his head. “Of course, sir.”

Colin looked outraged that Dan should give Griffin even silent orders. Aunt Tabetha narrowed her eyes. But they all trooped upstairs and into the drawing room.

“When did you arrive?” Dan asked his mother. “In fact, how did you arrive?”

“And why,” Tabetha added, not quite beneath her breath.

Dan handed his mother onto the sofa and sat beside her.

“A bare ten minutes ago,” she replied lightly. “I traveled post. And as to why,” she added, fixing Tabetha with her amiable gaze, “because, like the rest of you, I imagine, I was summoned.”

“He didn’t tell me that!” Tabetha exclaimed.

“He didn’t tell me, either,” Dan said, “and we were discussing the matter.”

“He always liked to play his cards close to his chest,” Jenny Stewart observed. She met Dan’s gaze. “I know what else you’re asking me. I chose to answer because when I went round to your rooms, I discovered you had gone. I guessed you’d come here. And for the rest, Mr. Pilney kindly provided the post chaise.”

Deliberately, Dan tried to keep every expression from his face, but it irked him that she had accepted Pilney’s generosity. He didn’t want the man owning her. He wanted her able to make a sensible choice. Which, to his mind, was showing Mr. Pilney the toe of her boot.

“Then you haven’t seen him yet?” Dan asked, casting his eyes upward toward the bedchambers.

“Lord, no. I don’t expect to be received for at least two days. If at all.”

“Then why did you come?” Tabetha asked bluntly. “You know it simply makes everything uncomfortable for all of us. And the servants and neighbors whom you are putting in an impossible position.”

“With respect, that’s rot,” Dan said bluntly. “The servants are paid to carry out their master’s orders, and the neighbors haven’t spoken to him in twenty-five years.”

“But they have spoken to me,” Tabetha said grandly. “I’ll have you know I am on very good terms with the Countess of Cosland,