Guy paused in the doorway of the dining room. Morgan was already up and tucking into the morning meal but that was not what had given him reason to stop. He blinked a few times.

Stephen lifted his head and scowled at him. “It’s rude to stare.”

Shaking himself from his surprise, Guy grabbed a plate and helped himself to several rashers of bacon, sausages, fish, and a slice of toast. He glanced over his shoulder just to be sure. Yes, Stephen was definitely seated at the table. He was eating breakfast. He was not, as usual, in bed recovering from a heavy night of drinking or simply lounging around upstairs while demanding he be served upstairs like a married woman.

As he sat, he shared a look with Morgan who gave a shrug. His friend was no stranger to Stephen’s behavior. Guy observed Stephen surreptitiously while he sat back for the footman to pour his coffee. There were no signs of a late night and the fumes of alcohol were absent.

“I did not see you last night,” Guy said, placing his napkin onto his lap.

Stephen’s gaze shot up to meet his, full of resentment. “I went to bed early.”

“Indeed?”

“That bloody concoction you gave me did not sit well on my stomach, if you must know.”

Guy held up his hands. “I’m sorry I asked.”

He longed to lecture about the dangers of alcohol and how it was probably that that had caused the stomach trouble and not the vile concoction he had used to sober him up. But after the events at the Chadwick house, he hardly knew what to say. Stephen was a man, whether Guy liked to think of him that way or not. No nagging or lectures were going to work. He was beginning to realize that now. He had to let Stephen make his own mistakes and hopefully, eventually he would not have to keep sweeping up the mess.

Though, he could not regret having to go and apologize to Mrs. Chadwick. It had been a fine opportunity to see Julia and, well, confirm his suspicions. He had a few about her, of course. The first was that her hatred for him was not quite so deep-seated as she liked to think. The second was that actually instead of hating him, she might be growing in affection toward him. The third was certainly to do with that passion he knew she had in her.

But good God, he could not have imagined the woman would kiss quite like that. He’d only intended to tease a little, to push her and find out if all these plans he was making for them in his mind were right.

“I need to meet with my land agent today,” Guy told Morgan. “I have an idea about the mill but I need to see if it’s viable.”

Morgan’s lips curved. “An idea that would mean not having a mill at all perhaps?”

Guy lifted a shoulder. “Perhaps.”

“And a certain woman would not have anything to do with that, would she?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about. All I know is that it could mean good profit for us both. I mean, excellent profit. And it might not have occurred to me without meeting a certain woman.”

“You mean one of those Chadwick girls, do you not?” Stephen asked. “I suppose they are pretty enough but those freckles are frightful.”

“Says the man who collapsed into the bosom of one of them. I think if anyone is frightful, it’s you.” Guy took a long gulp of coffee and felt the warmth seep into his muscles.

Stephen’s cheeks flushed. “I hardly knew what I was doing. I would not have collapsed on her if I could have helped it.” He dropped his head and mumbled something.

Guy leaned in. “What was that?”

“I said, I’ll be more careful in future.” Stephen pushed his plate away and indicated for the footman to take it away. “Could I come with you to meet the land agent?”

By some miracle, Guy masked his surprise. It seemed the Chadwicks’ recounting all that had happened during Stephen’s visit to him as he tried to sober up had given him a little humility. Guy only hoped it lasted.

“Of course. I’ll tell you of my plans on the way. It should bring in a pretty penny if we can make it work.”

Stephen nodded. “Excellent. I’ll run upstairs and freshen up. I have been up an hour already and I feel ready for bed again.”

Guy laughed. “You’ll get used to it soon enough.”

Stephen made a face and left the table. Morgan lifted his cup of coffee to Guy. “Here’s to you. I think you fixed him.”

“I did not fix him,” Guy protested. “Firstly, I doubt he will not slip up again and, secondly, I think I have the Misses Chadwicks to thank for this. Apparently, his late-night visit to their house was enough to scare him into trying to stay sober. I only hope it lasts.”

“Perhaps if he becomes involved in whatever this mysterious profitable idea it is you have, you can keep him occupied.”

Guy nodded. “Let us hope.”

“And then I can return to London an even richer man.” Morgan grinned.

“As if you need more riches. You shall have every debutante practically drooling over you.”

His friend’s smile turned smug. “That is the plan. Though the debutantes will have to wait. I have a few needy widows to woo first.”

“No plans to marry yet then? You have held your title long enough, Morgan.”

“Yes, but I have plenty of male cousins to inherit. I’m in no rush to settle. There’s far too much enjoyment to be had out there.”

Guy was no saint but he could not say he cared for the enjoyment that was ‘out there’. Not since he’d met Julia Chadwick. He’d enjoyed himself in her company more than any other woman. Far more.

They finished breakfast and Guy excused himself while Morgan had another coffee, claiming to need a clear head for all this business talk they were to have. Before he could head into the study to snatch up the paperwork he needed to take to the agent, Mrs. Keats stopped him.

“Forgive me, Your Grace, but there is a young lady at the servant’s entrance. She wishes to speak to you.”

“A young lady?” His mind immediately skipped to Julia.

“Yes.” The housekeeper looked at her feet. “The one that there was a little fuss with in London.”

“Ah.” What Mrs. Keats meant was the one Stephen left in the family way, but the housekeeper was too discreet for that.

“I told her to wait in the garden, away from the servants. Most of them are good and will say nothing but we do have some new members of staff, and I do not know them well enough yet to say if they will gossip.”

Considering the talk of the mill and the other rumors circulating, there was a high chance several of them were prone to gossip. He could hardly blame them. He didn’t think he’d ever been to a household where there had been none at all.

“Thank you, Mrs. Keats, I shall speak with her presently.” He paused. “If you do happen to see Stephen, please ensure he does not go into the garden. I would not want him to distress the girl.”

Mrs. Keats nodded. “Of course, Your Grace.”

Guy headed out into the garden via the front entrance to avoid the servants. He hoped Mrs. Keats kept Stephen away. Since the girl had become pregnant, Stephen had ignored her, sending her away and dismissing any letters. It was only when Guy had found her sitting on the doorstep of their London townhouse in the pouring rain did the story of her pregnancy and Stephen’s subsequent abandonment come out.

Guy was going to do all he could to ensure her and the baby did not suffer for his brother’s neglect but it would not help her to see the man who had put her in this position and in all likelihood, would dismiss her again.

He found Tabitha standing by a rose bush, drawing in the scent of one of the blooms. Her stomach had grown significant in size since their last meeting. She turned when he coughed and a look of relief swept over her.

“Miss Stewart, whatever are you doing here? Should you not be on your way to Ireland by now?” He took her elbow and guided her deeper into the gardens, where the carefully planned and planted bushes and flowers gave way to wild grass and the line of the woods.

“I know I should not be drawing attention to myself.” The pretty brunette’s cheeks were flushed and a shimmer of concern hung in her dark eyes. “But I ran into some trouble with my...my father.”

“He knows now, presumably.” He glanced at her stomach.

Tabitha tucked her lip under her teeth and nodded. “He fell sick and I could not leave him just yet. He has recovered but of course by then it was too late. He demanded I tell him the name of the father. I told him I had an arrangement and everything would be well but he...” She fished a handkerchief out of the sleeve. “He has told me not to return home if I will not name Stephen.” Pressing the handkerchief to her mouth, her eyes filled with tears.

“I see.” Guy drew in a breath and put a careful hand to her arm. “All will be well,” he said. “Where are you staying at present?”

“Just down the road. I have a cousin who lives in Alresford, but I cannot stay long or else she will suffer awful gossip, and she works in a big home like yours. She cannot afford to have her reputation ruined by me.” The last syllable came out on a sob.

“I shall fix this, Tabitha,” he said soothingly. “Do you still want to put the baby up for adoption? I can arrange something else if you want.”

She put a hand to her stomach. “I want it to go to a good home. A rich one,” she said determinedly.

“Then your plans need not change. We can still get you away and ensure the baby is housed with a loving family.” He sighed. “This is my fault you are in this position. If I had just--”

“It is not, Your Grace. Do not blame yourself. I was a fool too.”

“Return to your cousin and I shall send word of new arrangements. You cannot travel far in your state. And, Tabitha?”

Her gaze met his hopefully. “Yes?”

“I shall ensure you are looked after. It was always my intention.”

Her chin wobbled and she nodded. “Thank you, Your Grace.” She pulled a slip of paper from her sleeve. “This is where my cousin lives. She wrote it for me.”

He nodded. Tabitha was not a silly girl but she was uneducated and could not read or write. It left her wholly at the mercy of men like his brother, which he deeply regretted. He hoped this move was beginning to have an effect on Stephen but sadly if was too late for Tabitha.

“I will not keep you waiting long. I promise.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much, Your Grace. I do not know what I would do.”

Guy gave her hand a squeeze and motioned for her to hurry along. “I think the skies are promising rain, so you had better make haste.”

He watched Tabitha amble away and shook his head. “All my damned fault.”

The first raindrop plopped onto his nose and he eyed the grey skies. The beautiful weather they’d been enjoying had finally ended but at least it would help him survey his land in more usual weather for England and make a decision on his new plans.

Hands behind his back, he turned to head back to the house before the skies gave way but froze. He scowled. “Julia?”

The figure tucked just in the trees stilled. She turned slowly, an odd smile on her face. “Oh, good morning.”

He strode over to her, ducking under the trees for shelter as a gentle patter started up. Her cheeks were rosy, presumably from the walk over here and she wore a printed cotton gown and a dark green spencer. He wanted to flick open each button and press her up against a tree again. By some miracle, he kept his hands to himself.

“Were you coming to see me?”

“Well, um, yes. and to see how Stephen was.”

“Fully recovered, I think. He was up and eating breakfast which was a minor miracle.” He motioned in the direction of the house. “Do you want to come out of the rain?”

“I should not.” She gave a strained smile. “None of my sisters are with me. I would not wish to create gossip.”

“Then why did you--”

“I really should return. This weather will not improve.” She grabbed the hem of her skirt and whirled away from him.

“Julia?”

“Good day, Your Grace,” she called as she hurried away into the woods.

Guy pushed a hand through his hair. Whatever was that about? If she had been concerned about being unescorted, why come alone? And why come all this way, only to turn back? Had she seen Tabitha? He supposed that could have been it but he could not fathom why a pregnant young woman would bother her.

The rain fell heavily and began to soak through his clothing, which was not at all suited to the weather. He shrugged to himself. Perhaps she was disconcerted by their kiss, but she had not seemed so at the time. Still, who could fathom what a woman really thought after being kissed? He would visit the Chadwicks in a few days and try to steal a moment alone with her. He was sure once he had settled his plans that all would work out perfectly.