Julian was about to rush ahead when Lily quickly corrected, steadying herself in the saddle and looking ahead.
“The two of you are hopeless…” Juliette sighed and shook her head, urging her horse forward until she was beside Lily as they approached the mill.
Am I hopeless?
Julian wondered what the look had meant as he watched his sister and wife nearing the old mill.
The tenant farmer was already waiting for them by the time the horses reached the end of the road.
“Ahoy! Good morning, my lord!” A tall, cheerful man came striding toward them, his gate strong and sure.
Julian dismounted first and greeted the man with a firm shake of the hand. “Are you Mr. Thomas? The tenant farmer?”
The man nodded before bowing to Juliette and Lily. “I am, my lord. I am glad you could come and have a look at the old girl. She had been running for quite a few years, but we will get a few more out of her with some care.”
“I hear you have some trouble of late. The wheel seems to be spinning just fine now,” Julian glanced at the wheel that was graciously spinning in the water, churning the cool depths into a frothy foam of bubbles.
“She is working now, but she stops at regular intervals. A few of the men and I take turns to make sure she gets an extra nudge, but it takes time out of our busy days to travel this far from our farms. I reckon she needs a few repairs.
A loud metallic grinding suddenly filled the air, and as if on cue, the wheel stopped turning.
The man nodded toward the wheel and pursed his lips. “You see, my lord. She has been ill. Temperamental, and in need of maintenance.”
The man’s insistence on referring to the wheel as a woman in need of maintenance amused Julian, but he decided to let the joke slide in the presence of the women.
“I am sure that repairs can be made, Mr. Thomas. I shall send someone first thing tomorrow morning to come and have a look.”
Nodding, Mr. Thomas frowned and looked over Julian’s shoulder. “Is that lady in your party, my lord?”
“What lady?” Julian turned and froze when he spotted the figure of Eleanor coming directly at them on the back of a horse.
What the devil is she doing here?
He swore internally, cursing the day that he had ever met Eleanor Everet. How was it even possible that she had followed them all the way to the country cottage? It was not even close to any of her father’s lands or homes.
It was quickly beginning to seem like she was following him and Lily.
Bringing her horse to a stop, Eleanor quickly dismounted and headed directly toward him. “Good day, my lord. Your mother said that I would eventually find all of you if I rode in this direction.” She smiled broadly at him.
Turning back, Julian looked at Lily and his siter with a frown.
Both shrugged as if they were just as stunned as he felt.
He tuned back with a heavy sigh. “And to what do we owe the pleasure, Miss Everet?”
Eleanor continued to smile at him. “You would not believe me, my lord, but my family and I are visiting an ailing aunt here in the country. I thought of calling on you and the viscountess yesterday, but your housekeeper mentioned that you were away. Is it not funny how things worked out?”
“Quite amusing, indeed,” Julian scowled at her, hoping that she would pick up on the tone of his voice.
Lily and Juliette dismounted their horses, walking toward them.
“How…” Juliette began but stopped when she saw the look of displeasure on Julian’s face.
“I was just explaining to Lord Barnard that I was in the area and knew where to find you. In fact, your mama was so surprised to see me that she sent me to you all at once. She even mentioned inviting more people over to stay and planning a party over the next few days.” She finished with a triumphant giggle. “Will it not be fun with all of us under the same roof?”
Lily spoke up for the first time. “So, you will be staying with us then?”
Eleanor kept on looking directly at Julian as she reached up and touched his arm. “Yes, your mama practically insisted when she heard that I had to ride over an hour to come and see you. I shall be sharing Juliette’s chambers for the next few nights.”