Not A Moment Too Soon
Chapter 2
The next morning Howard awoke feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. He dressed quickly in his riding buckskins, and tied his long curly hair back in a leather strip. He left his room and skipped down the stairs, eager to go for a ride. Outside, the crisp fall air filled his lungs and Howard felt a rush of excitement. This was his favorite time of year. He took in the beautiful sight of the fall leaves around him in all their glorious oranges, reds, and yellows as they fell softly to the ground. He walked to the stables where his stallion, Gabriel, awaited him.
He walked up to the giant horse and patted him on the end of his nose, "Gabriel my friend. It's a beautiful day, I say we go for a run shall we?" He saddled him up in no time at all.
The enormous horse whinnied in agreement and Howard mounted him expertly. Grabbing tightly to the reins, he spurred Gabriel on and soon they were in a full gallop. Howard surveyed the grounds with a stern eye. Things weren't quite as good as Perry would have him think. The crops seemed to be doing poorly and after speaking for over an hour with his farmhands, he realized their livestock business was failing. Indeed he would have to clear up these matters before marrying Victoria. He wouldn't have his new wife come to her home and find things amiss.
He rode for quite some time on Dorough land until he came upon two intruders on his property out by old Pharnum pond. It appeared that two men were having a duel, and Howard got just close enough to observe without being noticed. They were excellent fencers. Although one was much smaller than the other, they seemed to be equal in skill. He watched patiently secretly hoping that the one of slighter build would win. He always did support the underdog.
In one swoop, the smaller one (as he was inclined to refer to them) divested the larger one of his foil and it fell to the ground. Placing his foil against the other's chest, the duel was over. The larger man removed his mask, and Howard strained to see if he looked familiar to him. When the slighter one took off his mask Howard was shocked. It wasn't a man at all. But a woman! A rather beautiful woman from what Howard could tell. She had cascading red hair that fell nearly to her waist, a rosebud mouth, and pert little nose. Not that Howard noticed such things. No not at all.
"You beat me again, sister." Lord William Crosby said to his younger sister, Evelyn.
'Yes that I did, my lord. I guess those fencing lessons have paid off wouldn't you say?"
"Touche, little one, touche. Are you reading to head back? My stomach is growlin and I fancy some beef stew." William said, a sly grin on his face.
"Is that my punishment for beating you at fencing, Will? To cook a stew?" Evelyn smiled. She didn't mind cooking for her brother, after all, he was all that she had left in the world.
"Punishment? Nay, I'd say I am being downright kind. You know I could beat you at fencing, after all, who taught you?" William taunted, he loved to tease his little sister.
"This is true, I never would have learned had it not been for you. Now let's head back, I am fancying stew myself." She grinned, rubbing her belly. They began to walk over to where their horses were tethered when a man approached them.
"Pardon me, but are you aware that you're on Dorough land?" Howard asked, his eyes focused on Evelyn and the white fencing shirt she wore. A couple of the buttons were undone at the top, and he caught a glimpse of creamy white flesh.
His look didn't go unnoticed by Evelyn, and she hurriedly buttoned her top. "No my lord, I believe that's where you are wrong. This is Crosby land."
"Evelyn! Let's not argue, obviously there's been some misunderstanding." William declared, extending his hand to the Earl, "Your lordship, I am Lord William Crosby of Caverton Hall, and this precocious one is my younger sister, Lady Evelyn."
"It's a pleasure, Lord William.." Howard replied, shaking William's hand and nodding in Evelyn's direction he said, "My lady"
"You said that this was your land, my lord. But my great grandfather Crosby purchased this land oh some years ago. So as you can see it belongs to us." Evelyn began. She wasn't sure she liked this man. The Earl. He seemed cocky and too sure of himself.
"Why don't you stop by our home for supper, Lord Dorough? We'll have plenty of beef stew Evelyn always makes enough for a small army." William grinned widely.
"But William..."Evelyn began. She had no interest in having dinner with this man. What was William thinking? He was handsome, no doubt about that. Those deep brown eyes, the strong hands. But....she didn't want to speak of domestic affairs with him. She knew what was hers. How dare these two men try to exclude her from the decision process? She was seething.
"But nothing sister. We've got to come to an agreement somehow. What better way than over a meal? Wouldn't you agree, Lord Dorough?"
"I am never one to turn down such an offer. I'll follow you to your home. Caverton Hall you called it?" Howard asked, sensing tension from Lady Crosby, but doing nothing to ease it.
"Yes, right this way. Come on Evey, mount your mare. We have a guest for dinner tonight."
Evelyn mounted her horse. She was full of anger and confusion. Why was William inviting this man to dinner? A complete stranger! Had he gone mad? She pulled tightly on the reins spurring her mare, Thunder, on ahead of the two men. No way was she going to ride next to the likes of HIM.
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