Free Lord Ilchester's Inheritance by Fenella J Miller

was upheld. One thing he knew for certain was that society and the law did not approve of any romantic liaison between a guardian and his ward.
    Startled by this thought he knocked over his own candlestick leaving him in inky blackness. He cursed under his breath. No point in grovelling for the object, as he had no idea where the tinderbox was stored and, being midsummer, there were no fires alight for him to use. He would have to make his way upstairs by touch alone.
    As he groped his way to the doors that led into the spacious hall he reviewed what had made him drop his candle. He had known Sapphire Stanton for less than a day – was it possible he was already thinking of her romantically?
    By the time he had crossed the hall his eyes had become accustomed to the lack of light and he could now see sufficiently well to continue his journey to his bedchamber without fear of breaking his neck. The more he considered this extraordinary notion, the more he liked it. Although he was not actually hanging out for a wife, there was something about this girl that excited him. That she was beautiful was beyond doubt, but she was also intelligent, kind and strong-willed – an irresistible combination as far as he was concerned.
    He reached his room having only barked his shins once and stopped a couple of times. He did not bother to light a lamp as he was going to retire immediately. The footman who had been appointed as his valet had long gone to his bed, but Gideon was quite capable of disrobing without assistance. There was a nightshirt folded neatly on the end of the bed, but he tossed this to one side. He preferred to sleep as nature intended.
    *
    Sapphire was up and dressed before her brothers woke and was able to oversee their dressing – particular care was needed this morning if they were to sit astride their ponies.
    ‘We don’t want to have breakfast now, Saffy, we want to have it after our ride,’ David said.
    ‘We can go out to the stables now, but I don’t promise Lord Ilchester will be there. It is extremely early, but I am sure that between us Ned, Billy and I can manage.’
    No sooner were they out of the house when the boys shot ahead eager to be the first to arrive in the yard. She took a more leisurely pace, running in the voluminous skirt of her habit would be hazardous.
    There was no need for her to hurry, his lordship must have been there before them despite the fact it had not yet struck eight o’clock. Her mare was waiting but there was no sign of her brothers, their ponies or Lord Ilchester.
    ‘Ned, where have they all gone?’
    ‘His lordship reckons they would do best to be led about the place, get the feeling of being in the saddle. He and Billy are gone for a walk around the park.’
    ‘In which case, I shall join them later, but first I shall ride through the woods. There is no need for you to accompany me, Ned, I shall not be going out of the grounds this morning.’
    He tossed her aboard, she rammed her foot into the single stirrup iron, gathered up the reins and was ready to leave. The sun was already hot on her back, no doubt the boys would wish to continue their swimming lessons later on. The thought of being in the lake appealed to her, but under no circumstances would she do so whilst their guest was still in residence.
    ‘How is the stallion? Is he sound enough to ride today?’
    ‘Not a chance, miss, he’s pulled a tendon and will have to stay here for at least a week. His lordship sent one of the new men with a message this morning, right early it was. He will be sending for his baggage, he don’t seem in no hurry to leave, that’s for sure.’
    She wasn’t sure if this was good news or bad, but was definitely relieved their guest had not been in the yard to hear Ned speaking about him so freely. She set off in the opposite direction to the park, taking the tradesman’s route that led directly into the acres of woodland that surrounded the rear of the property.
    Once in the