The Bachelor Earl - Darcy Burke Page 0,35

down, and he left. She departed a short while after in order to pursue the man she prefers.”

Edmund blinked. He looked back to Kendal. “And who is that?”

“She didn’t say, and I didn’t press her. She did, however, tell me she was going to Staffordshire. That is where your seat is located, is it not?”

“Yes, but I’m not there.” It was a ridiculous thing to say, but all he could manage. She’d turned Sterling, with his four children, down! And it seemed she was on her way to him—the man she preferred. There was only one thing to be done, tired as he was. No, not tired. He was suddenly more energized than he’d ever been in his life. “When did she leave?”

“A few hours ago. You could make up the time on horseback, probably, but it will be dark before you catch her. My guess is she will make it to Lancaster for the night.”

Edmund nearly laughed. If only he hadn’t left the hunting lodge! But how would he have known to find her in nearby Lancaster? “I’ll get there.”

“You’ll need a new horse,” Kendal said, moving toward the door. “I have just the one to get you there quickly.”

“Thank you.”

Kendal stopped in the doorway and turned to face him. “I’d be pleased to count you as family.”

Edmund smiled at him, but only nodded in response.

“It is, however, up to my stepmother.” He pivoted and continued out of the room.

Yes, it was. Edmund followed quickly, eager to find out.

Chapter 11

The rain started just after Genie arrived at the Bell and Whistle in Lancaster. She cursed the sky, then begged it to stop. Wet, muddy roads would add at least a day to her journey. She wanted to get to Edmund now.

What if he’d ended up pursuing one of the other women at the party? Perhaps he was even now contemplating marriage to Mrs. Makepeace, or Genie’s friend Lettie. No, Lettie would have told her. She’d written recently, and there’d been no mention of Edmund.

Mrs. Makepeace, however, was a distinct possibility. Or another woman who’d been at Blickton. There was no telling what had happened after Genie had left early. Actually, there was, because Cecilia and written to her. There’d been no mention of Edmund matching—or being interested in—anyone.

Genie’s stomach growled, reminding her it had been some time since she’d nibbled on something in the coach. Her maid had gone downstairs to check on dinner. Hopefully, she would eat soon. Then sleep, then get back on the road to Edmund.

A knock on the door of her room startled her. Why would her maid not just come in?

Genie rushed to open the door, a question on her lips. “Why—”

The words died on her tongue as she took in the welcome—but quite sodden—form of Edmund.

“Good heavens, Edmund! You’re soaked!” She pulled him into the room and steered him toward the fireplace.

“Good evening, Genie. It’s good to see you too.”

She heard the humor in his voice. “You need to warm up.” In reaching for his coat to help him take it off, she froze. There could be only one reason for him to be here, couldn’t there? “How did you know I was here?”

He took off his hat and sailed it toward the corner. In its rather damp state, it didn’t go very far. His gloves, already removed from his hands, followed the hat.

Edmund shrugged his coat over his shoulders and stripped it away. “As it happens, I have been at Rotherham’s hunting lodge the past few days—it’s rather near here.”

“Oh.” So this was a coincidence? She took his wet coat and went to hang it on a hook near the door. Turning, she saw that he’d sat in a chair by the fire and was removing his boots.

“This morning, I rode to Lakemoor. I arrived this afternoon. Unfortunately, you were not there.”

Her heart sped as she picked up his boots and stood them near the hearth. “Why did you come?”

Edmund clasped her hand. “You think I need an heir, but I don’t really. I have one, and I’ll educate him to be the earl.”

“But—”

He squeezed her fingers. “I don’t need any children of my own, not if it means not having you. I’m hoping Titus won’t mind having a stepfather.”

Genie’s throat constricted. She wasn’t sure she could speak. “You want me as I am?”

“Yes. The question is whether you want me, childless as I am.”

“I have been a mother and a wife. Anything else—especially you—is a gift I’m not sure I deserve.”

He