“Not very long. Lady Fletcher invited me to join the family after her wedding last month, and I happily accepted. I do love the country.”
“I see.”
Kathryn’s nerves were on edge, and when she felt like this, she had a tendency to babble. “I was most happy to get away from London for a bit.”
“Oh? I have attended a fewtonevents with my father and brother over the years, and I can’t say I enjoyed them much.”
She didn’t want to admit that she was running away from the last few weeks of her Season. It had been a disaster thus far, and she saw no reason to continue the debacle, but she wasn’t sure he would understand. How could she explain that all the glittering ballrooms and beautiful dresses meant nothing to her and only reminded her that she would never feel comfortable with theton?
“Oh, it’s so pretty,” Lady Kathryn said when the stone cottage on the hillside came into view. It had sweeping views of the meadow and forest beyond.
Mr. Clifford glanced at her and nodded. “Indeed, my lady.”
Kathryn turned to him and saw only sincerity in his eyes. Was he talking about her? Goodness no, that couldn’t be. No man hadever said she was pretty. She knew she was rather plain, with her wispy brown hair and dull blue eyes. She’d always wished that she had inherited her mother’s blond hair and striking blue eyes, like her siblings, but instead, she was the only one who looked like her father.
When they walked into the cottage, Audrey frowned. “Dear me, this will never do. I don’t believe anyone has occupied this cottage in years. I will send the maids down to clean it and have Mr. Johnston check the roof for leaks. No sense doing all that work to clean if the roof has holes.”
“Thank you, Lady Fletcher. That’s very kind of you.”
“Nonsense. Everyone deserves to live in a clean home. I believe there’s an extra bedchamber off the kitchen that you may use until the cottage is ready to be occupied.”
“I don’t want to put anyone out on my behalf. I’m happy to stay in the loft above the horse stalls.”
“There’s no need for you to stay in the barn, Mr. Clifford. The bedchamber is currently empty, and staff meals are served in the kitchen. I can attest that Mrs. Greenleaf is an excellent cook.”
“Oh, indeed she is,” Grace chimed in.
“I look forward to making her acquaintance then.”
“Come along, ladies. It’s almost time for tea,” Audrey said, exiting the cottage.
“Good day, Mr. Clifford,” Lady Kathryn said with a shy smile.
“Good day, my lady.”
Kathryn had felt Grace’s eyes on her the whole time in the cottage. Had she noticed her interest in Mr. Clifford? She hoped that wasn’t the case because she wasn’t ready to talk about her fascination with the man or how long that fascination had been going on.
When they reached the manor, Audrey went to seek Mrs. Hutchins to arrange the cleaning of the cottage, saying, “I’ll join you shortly.”
Grace slipped her arm through Kathryn’s, and they walked into the drawing room. “Kathryn?”
“Yes?”
“I couldn’t help but notice the spark of interest when we were introduced to Mr. Clifford.”
There was no point in denying it. “Well… yes. Please don’t think badly of me.”
Grace squeezed her hand as they sat on the sofa. “Of course not. I would never think badly of you. Why would you say that?”
Kathryn took a deep breath. “Because I used to watch Mr. Clifford while he worked in the garden next door.”
“You did?”
She nodded. “I find an innate kindness about him. Whenever I was in our London garden and our eyes met, he always tipped his hat. We never actually spoke, but I must admit that I’m very much looking forward to working with him on this garden design.”
“I see.”
“Do you think I’m foolish? My mother would have an apoplexy if she knew I was looking forward to talking with him. To her, he’s a commoner even though he is the heir to the Faulkner Baronetcy at least until his brother has a son of his own.”