A Portrait of Love (The Academy of Love #3) - Minerva Spencer Page 0,97

and fob from Peel. “I don’t recognize the name. Who is he?”

“He said he was here about the steward position.”

Simon fiddled with his watch, playing for time as he struggled to recall the name. He could not.

Peel, who had been watching him like a hen with one chick, stepped forward to pluck a non-existent piece of lint from his sleeve.

“That would be the gentleman from Leeds, would it not, my lord?”

Simon still had no recollection of such a meeting, but it was easy enough to play along until he did. “Ah, yes.” He looked at Honoria. “You have spoken to him?”

“I have invited him to dine with us and stay the night.”

“Excellent.” She still looked hesitant. “Is aught amiss?”

“He asked if there was anyone to show him around the property.”

“That sounds like a fine idea.” He nodded to Peel, “Let Mr. Heyworth know I will meet him in the stables in three-quarters of an hour.”

Peel opened his mouth but then closed it again when he met Simon’s glare.

Once he’d gone, Simon turned to Honoria, put his hands on her shoulders, and gave her a rueful smile. “Do you forgive me for abandoning you on your first few days in our new home?”

“It was hardly your fault,” she said. “Are you sure it is a good idea to go riding so soon after—”

“I am feeling very well—just restless from a lack of exercise.” He leaned down and kissed her, letting his mouth linger on her plush, warm lips. “Mmm,” he murmured, pulling away with regret and looking deep into her cool gray eyes. “I will need lots of exercise.”

She flushed wildly, but at least she was smiling, now.

“Why don’t you join us?”

“You mean on your ride?”

“Why not? You haven’t seen the place yet.”

“Very well, I shall.”

“Good. I’ll need to change; shall we say an hour?”

She cocked her head. “I thought you said three-quarters of an hour?”

“That was before a woman was involved,” he teased, giving her a kiss on the cheek and a gentle push toward their connecting doors, which he fully intended to use tonight.

***

It was all Honey could do not to skip and sing; Simon was the same man who’d come here with her a few days ago. He wasn’t some love-struck swain grieving for another woman, after all. It was just as he’d claimed: a terrible headache.

Honey changed into the new habit Simon had picked out for her during their orgy of shopping in Brighton.

“You must have this habit,” he’d said, pointing at a fashion plate. “But it should be in crimson, to match that dashing hat.”

When she’d demurred about the color being too bright, he had surprised her.

“Don’t shy away from the colors that suit you merely because you are a tall woman, Honoria. That shade of red could have been invented just for you.”

Honey had almost collapsed sobbing at his feet. He was right, and she knew it. After all, she was an artist—she knew about colors. Oh, the gowns she wore were in colors that flattered her, but they were in the calmer, more unobtrusive part of the palette.

For years she had yearned to wear deep jewel tones.

Now that she’d begun wearing such colors, she was ashamed it had taken her so long.

She was ready and down in the stables a full quarter of an hour early. So was Mr. Heyworth, but her husband was not yet there.

Mr. Heyworth’s eyes widened flatteringly when he saw her.

“I am going to join you, Mr. Heyworth, as I have not yet seen much of the estate.” She had to tip her head back to meet his eyes; he was even taller than Simon.

“I learned that you and his lordship are only recently married?”

Ah, so somebody had been talking. It wasn’t really a surprise; nor was it some kind of secret. “Yes, it is less than a month.”

“I see I’m late.”

They both turned at the sound of Simon’s voice.

He gave Honey an apologetic smile. “And here I was teasing you about tardiness.” He turned to Heyworth.

“It is good to meet you, Mr. Heyworth. I was very impressed with your work experience.”

“Thank you, my lord. I am eager to see your estate. I believe you have plans to breed horses?”

“I do, after my stables have been overhauled and expanded.” He gestured the other man ahead into the courtyard before leaning close and whispering into Honey’s ear, “You look smashing.”

Her face heated with pleasure.

Several servants were bustling around three horses, Simon led Honey to a very pretty dark bay roan—whose coloring