Louisa sat on the edge of the bed, and even though it was well after midnight, she opened the letter.

Burlington Abbey

Dearest Miss Turner,

I expect you have forgotten all about me by now. Or you thought you might never hear from me again, no doubt, accounting me to be a feckless and unreliable young man who does not follow through on his promises. But, as you can see, I am neither. For I am inviting you for our ride and picnic—just as I promised.

I was thinking I might send a carriage for you on this Saturday next at ten o’clock in the morning. Unless you have your own horse and wish me to meet you at your house. Then we can ride together from there.

I will have our butler, Hodge, arrange with Cook to prepare a splendid luncheon and will have him serve it in a charming grove by our lake. Or we could graze like sheep if that is more to your liking.

In any case, please reply and let me know what suits you best. Or, if you prefer, you may tell me to fly to the moon and leave you alone. In that case, I shall obey your wishes and never impose myself upon you ever again.

Your Ever Devoted,

Felton Windham

Marquess of Harwood

Louisa could not help but laugh at the tone of his letter. But she was also delighted and a little embarrassed to have the Marquess paying her this attention. Certainly, he must have many more appropriate young ladies of stature to whom he could address his suit.

However, it was well past one o’clock and she was tired. She could reply to his letter by first post tomorrow morning—if she did not sleep in too late.

She found she was too tired to undress, so she blew out her candle and stretched out on top of her bed, not even bothering to throw back the covers and climb inside, and in less than a minute she was asleep.

Having slept soundly, Louisa awoke at an early hour—but not as early as she was accustomed to. There was a flock of birds squabbling outside her window and she got out of bed, went to the window, and saw five birds darting and pecking at one another.

Not very nice. I thought that in the harmony of nature birds were perfect ladies and gentlemen. But apparently that is not so, she thought, as she closed the window to prevent them from flying inside her bedroom.

Louisa stuffed Felton’s letter in her pocket before putting on her cap and heading down to the breakfast room. It was still early enough to enjoy a quiet meal before Janet had the table cleared.

Everyone else had breakfasted by the time she reached the dining room and she sat with the book she had been reading and the letter.

She reread the letter and was composing her reply in her mind when there was a knock at the front door and someone was admitted. But she could not make out who was visiting.

A moment later, Joyce appeared with little It in her arms.

“Good morning dear, Joyce. You are making early calls.”

“Not as early as all that. I have been up since five o’clock. Even with Nanny caring for the young one, I still hear the crying and fret.”

“Come sit. A cup of tea?”

“Not for me. No. I just wanted to tell you we have chosen a name.”

“Ah, and that would be…?”

“Alice—Donald’s grandmother. A charming lady.”

“And a charming name. It reeks of practicality,” Louisa said with a laugh.

Joyce frowned. “Do not be rude. It is a lovely name and we are quite happy with it.”

“And so you should be. I like it, too.”

“Do you? Really?” Louisa nodded. “Oh, I am so happy. I think I wanted your approval most of all.”

“You will never guess,” Louisa said conspiratorially.

“Oh, what?”

Louisa shuffled the letter over to Joyce who was now sitting next to her at the breakfast table.

Joyce picked up the letter and read it. “Uh huh. Most interesting. Are you going to go?”

“I do not know. What do you think? I am afraid he sees me as some diversion and is not truly serious about getting to know me. Or have any consideration for me beyond an afternoon’s romp.”

“But he followed through on his promise to have you ride with him. That certainly is in his favor.”

“Yes, but what could possibly come of us meeting? He would never be seriously interested in me.”

“How will you know unless you meet? He might surprise you.”

“I guess it is harmless enough. We will have a ride and then luncheon by the lake with his butler in attendance. That should be innocent enough. But as you know, I do not have a horse.”

“But you do ride.”

“Yes. But I shall have to accept his offer of the carriage.”

“Then do so. Really, Louisa, you seem to be putting up all these barriers. Just accept his invitation if you wish to, or refuse him if you do not. It is really quite simple.”

“Then I shall.”

Louisa had replied to the Marquess by the morning post and eagerly awaited the Saturday morning rendezvous.

On the appointed day, Louisa dressed in her riding costume and was ready early as she did not want to keep Felton waiting. She found herself to be uncommonly nervous.

There was no reason to be, except for the unexpected opportunity to spend time with a Marquess. Would he be a simple, approachable young man, or would she feel he was too formal in his role as Marquess?

Louisa’s mother had been standing by Louisa’s side at the window as they waited for the carriage to arrive. Her mother often accompanied her as her chaperone, but believed, this time, Louisa would be well looked after at the Abbey as there was an abundance of staff. They could hear the horses clomping up the driveway before they saw the coach—which arrived promptly at ten o’clock.

“My dear, I hope you have a lovely time, and if possible, try to be back by teatime.”

“But Mother, he said we were to have tea at Burlington Abbey. I should like to see how a ducal tea is served.”

“I quite understand. Then be back by suppertime.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Her mother gave her a kiss on the cheek and waved her handkerchief from the front door as Louisa went to the carriage. A footman opened the door for her.

“The Marquess is waiting for you at the Abbey. He says he is preparing the horses for your ride, Miss Turner,” the footman said.

“Thank you,” she replied, as she sat comfortably in the carriage.

It was not a long drive to the Abbey and Felton was standing next to two horses by the front door. He smiled broadly as she approached and he opened the door for her himself.

“Ah, you did not give up on me,” he said brightly.

“Why should I? Are you not a man of your word?”

“I think my father’s reputation tends to sour many of the local populace.”

“I like to think I accept a gentleman on his own merits. Not those of his family.”

As Louisa studied the handsome features of this young man she began to relax some. He was every bit as handsome as she remembered—if not more so.

“You are able to ride with your broken leg?” she asked, as he took her hand and led her to the horses.

“I walk almost everywhere already. And you see, I did not use my crutches as I fetched you from the carriage.”

“Most remarkable.”

“But I do still use them for walking more than a few yards at a time.”

“You are very able and very brave.”

A groomsman led one of the horses to a pair of steps. A footman then came forward and offered to assist Louisa onto her horse.

“Thank you,” she said as she settled onto her sidesaddle and took the reins from the groom.

Felton mounted his horse and turned to her. “Are you quite ready to ride?”

“I am. Where are we heading?” she asked.

“We have some quite pleasant scenery on the estate and I thought you might enjoy seeing that.”

“I should.”

Felton flicked his reins and led the way down a road that led through a woods. This opened out onto a ridge overlooking fields of wild flowers that stretched along the valley. At the far end was a lake.

Felton pulled up his horse to let her enjoy the view.

“And that lake is on your land?” she asked.

“It is and it is where we are to be served our lunch.”

Louisa studied the landscape but she was also studying this young man. He dressed well in a smart navy jacket, breeches, and a gold waistcoat. He looked rather like a midshipman, except there was no braid. His dark hair was blown by the wind, and as he stood astride his mount, he looked quite heroic. She decided he was going to make a very handsome duke when his time came.

“Are you up for a race?” he asked turning to her.

“I think I can keep up.”

“To that road in the distance,” he said pointing ahead. “Huh,” he shouted to his horse as he spurred forward. Louisa took off right after him and leaned into the wind to reduce the resistance. She had a very sprightly mare and she not only caught up with Felton but managed to pass him, reaching the road just before he did.

“What a splendid rider you are, Miss Louisa. Well done.”

“I think I had the advantage because of my lighter weight and smaller stature. But I also suspect you let me win.”

“Perhaps, but excellent… in any case.”

They let the horses carry them forward in a leisurely fashion now. Felton was looking at her as he asked, “Are you of a large family?”

“Just my parents, my younger brother, and myself.”

“I am an only child. However, I am very close to my Uncle Silas. He is the only family member that I can connect with.”

“Not your mother?”

“Unfortunately, not. I believe she has cold, deep ocean water running through her veins.”

“I am blessed with two delightful and jolly parents—and my brother will one day grow into a decent gentleman—but right now, not so much.”

“And you are the perfect young lady?”

Louisa looked at him askance. “Perfect… absolutely not.”

“Ah… what could possibly tarnish your reputation?”

“I am a terrible seamstress, I play the pianoforte in fits and starts—my playing sounds like a lame horse on a cobbled street, and my drawing looks like that of a three-year-old with a temper tantrum. However, I am quite adroit in the kitchen, and when Cook allows me, I can make a delicious cheese soufflé.”

“Then I shall bring the eggs.”

“Might you not want to see if you wish to see me again after this afternoon?”

“I already know that I do,” he said, and then pointed ahead. “Our lunch is awaiting us. Shall we?”

They rode up to a tent that had been erected by the side of the lake. A gentleman was directing two serving footmen as Felton and Louisa dismounted.

“You must excuse me,” he said. “I must use my crutches on this uneven ground.”

“No, let me assist you,” Louisa said, offering Felton her arm and steadying him as he walked carefully forward. She helped him sit in his chair and Hodge immediately came forward pouring them each a glass of champagne as Louisa took her place at the table.

“What a beautiful location for lunch. Does your family often come here?”

“Only me, I am ashamed to say. My father would think such activity to be frivolous.”

“He sounds as though he is unhappy.”

“I do not think he even knows what happiness is.”

“I feel sorry for him.”

“But let us not dwell on my sorrowful family. Tell me more about you. You mentioned teaching. Is that something you will be doing soon?”

“Not just yet. I have not found any open positions and I do not want to be a governess.”

“I believe I asked you that already.”

At that point, the footmen began serving lunch—a filet of cold salmon with a light mayonnaise, asparagus, boiled potatoes with mint and raspberry fool for after.

As they ate and chatted, Louisa felt a warm glow enveloping her. It was not only the delicious food, nor only the lovely summer’s afternoon, it was also the affection she was beginning to feel for Felton. He was more interesting, thoughtful, and intriguing than she had ever imagined would be possible. But, of course, she surmised, he could not be feeling the same toward her. She was not nearly socially smart enough to be considered anything other than a casual friend.

“Would you care for a stroll by the lake?” he asked.

Louisa laughed. “Oh, yes? With crutches?

Then he laughed. “I keep forgetting. No. Not the best idea. But please do not let me stop you. There are many fine views around that side of the lake.”

“Thank you, but it would be rude of me to abandon you while you are such a pathetic invalid.”

That barb made him laugh. “Oh, the cut of the knife…”

“I think you enjoy being injured—just a little bit. It must infuriate your father and elicit sympathy from almost everyone else.”

“Caught out.”

“However, I shall be ever so kind and continue to offer you my assistance until you have fully recovered.”

He nodded. “Then perhaps we might return to the Abbey. I would be happy to show you around the house and you can see what little art we have. My ancestors were much more interested in hunting for game than hunting for art.”

“And you hope to rectify that?”

“I do. Once the resources of the dukedom are mine, I intend to make the Abbey a showcase of aristocratic excellence.”

The footmen had brought the horses forward and they assisted Louisa into her saddle as Felton managed to mount his horse alone.