Ava heard Sally's voice in her head urging her to make light of it, to tempt his curiosity and leave him wanting more. And suddenly, perhaps for the first time, she saw the wisdom in Sally's words. The man took far too much for granted. She smiled devilishly and inclined her head demurely. "Of course I am happy-how could I not be? Far too often, marriage seems to be the cause of much misery. But as we have come together as the result of fortune and standing, and not silly feelings of love or companionship, or, apparently, even felicity, there is no reason we shouldn't be happy. I daresay we shall succeed handsomely, for we've no particular attachment to one another...have we?" she asked, peering up at him.

"No," he agreed, all too readily.

Her anger soared and her smile became brighter. "We should be very thankful, really, that we are so agreeable in this. The common marriage is much more complicated than ours. We shall suffer none of the uneasiness when we are apart. Or dream of one another. No, my lord, we shall sleep quite soundly."

He looked, she thought, far too agreeable.

Dear G.o.d, what had she done in marrying him? She turned away from him, sitting up, her back stiff, her body as far from him as she could possibly get on the back of that mare. "What a lovely day! The air is cleaner here, I think. Do you?"

"Yes," he said, but he sounded as if his thoughts were elsewhere.

Ava hardly cared-she was so fl.u.s.tered and angry she wanted to scream. It seemed almost savage that two people could come together and share such intimate and personal acts without feeling something more enduring than the need to "repair" whatever ailed her with plaster or money.

When they reached the west field, she jumped down before Middleton could help her. But when he dismounted and stood at his horse, looking so majestic and as if he didn't quite know who she was, she couldn't resist the feeling that was growing stronger in her each day. She could not look at him and not want to be with him. She couldn't see the smile in his eyes and not yearn to win his heart and possess it. So when he asked her to get on Bilbo, she complied.

She complained that she felt she was in a precarious position, but he smiled happily at her, melting her anger away with it, and told her she was doing marvelously well as he led her around a big circle like a child on a pony.

Yet he seemed so pleased that Ava might have gone on all day for the pleasure of his smile had not Lady Kettle arrived, riding hard across the field, reining to a perfect stop before them.

"Look who's riding!" she cried happily, and allowed Middleton to help her down from her horse by putting her hands on his shoulders and laughing when he caught her at the waist and lifted her down.

He said something to her that Ava did not catch, and kissed her cheek. Lady Kettle smiled up at him so beautifully that Ava's heart clenched. She was in love with him. She could tell by the way her eyes sparkled when she looked at him, and the blush in her cheeks when she smiled at him.

When she had quite finished drooling over Ava's husband, Lady Kettle turned a bright and, all right, a beautiful smile to Ava. "You are doing very well, Lady Middleton!" she said. "I knew you'd find Middleton an excellent teacher!"

"Yes, he is," Ava said, trying to seem completely unaffected.

"Do you know that he taught himself to ride?"

"That's hardly true," Middleton said with a laugh. "I had many instructors when I was a young boy."

"But you did," Lady Kettle said, playfully grabbing his arm and turning her face up to him again. "Do you remember how we'd come up here to these very fields with that old gray, and you would ride round and round, practically falling off every time he swished his tail, until you could ride him with your eyes closed? "

Middleton laughed. "I suppose I do remember something like that. I am surprised you remember it as well, Veronica."

Veronica.

Ava didn't know what made her do it-maybe it was simply the use of Lady Kettle's given name. Or the fact that her husband and Lady Kettle were laughing and reminiscing like lovers. Whatever the reason, Ava chose that moment to ruin her ruse of not knowing how to ride just so that she might spend time with her husband, and kicked Bilbo in the soft part of his belly to send him bolting.

She heard the shouting behind her, but as Bilbo ran-surprisingly fast for his age with another well-placed kick-Ava laughed like the devil. She yanked the reins right, headed him into the forest, and heard the shouting behind her again as she leaned over the old horse's neck. When they had crashed into the thicket-which she hoped she made all the more exciting by shrieking-she reined Bilbo up, jumped off, and with a slap to his rump, sent the horse running again. She instantly dropped down, landing a little hard on her bottom, and then lay down on her back and squirmed about a bit before standing up.

She wasn't satisfied that she looked properly thrown, and picked up a handful of dirt and twigs and, wincing at the unpleasant necessity, rubbed them about her gown.

By the time Middleton reached her a few moments later, she looked, she thought, rather abused. He swept off the mare before he'd even reined her to a halt and strode forward so fast and so sternly that for a moment Ava feared him and took a step backward. But he caught her up in his arms, picking her up off her feet as he grabbed her and held her tightly to him.

"Are you all right? Are you harmed?"

"No," she said, her voice m.u.f.fled against his shoulder, he held her so tightly. "A bit bruised, but I'm really all right."

He released his grip of her, grabbed her by the shoulders, and pushed her back, examining her face. " You're certain you're all right?"

She nodded.

"You didn't harm yourself?" he asked as he put his hand to her chin and moved her head from side to side.

Ava shook her head.

He frowned slightly, put his hands on her ribs, pressed gently, then slid them down and around to her derriere as he watched her eyes. Ava blinked as he cupped her bottom, but said nothing. He moved his hands up her rib cage again to the sides of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. "You seem no worse for the ride," he remarked, pressing against her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, letting his hands linger there longer than was necessary to ascertain if she'd been injured.

Ava swallowed. "I'm really all right."

He smiled a little crookedly and stroked her temple with the back of his hand. "And Bilbo? You didn't harm Bilbo, did you?"

"Bilbo?" she repeated. "No...he's...he's fine."

His smile widened, and he pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her. "Come on, then, Lady Middleton. We've had enough riding for one day."

They emerged from the forest a few moments later, Ava securely in the circle of Middleton's arms atop the mare. The stableboys had easily caught Bilbo, who hadn't run very far at all, having seen a patch of gra.s.s to his liking.

"Dear G.o.d, are you all right?" Lady Kettle asked as she pulled up next to them, looking quite concerned. "You gave us all a fright!"

"I am. Thank you," Ava said, and pressed her cheek against Middleton's shoulder. "I'm just a bit tired, that's all."

"Do rest, Lady Middleton. That must have been very frightening."

Ava nodded that indeed it was, and smiled sweetly as Middleton bid Lady Kettle a good day and headed back to the abbey. Once, on the ride back, she thought she heard him chuckle, but when she looked at him, his face was full of concern. Twice, he put his hand to Ava's cheek and kissed her temple. At the abbey, he helped her down and pulled a twig from the shoulder of her habit. "Not to worry, Lady Middleton. In spite of today's setback, I think you will become a fine horsewoman."

Really?" she asked hopefully.

He laughed softly and kissed her lips. "I am certain of it," he said. He put his arm around her shoulders and led her up the steps to the main entrance, and Ava might as well have been walking on air. But as they walked into the main entry, Dawson met them. He took Middleton's cloak and extended a silver tray. "The post, my lord."

Ava saw Lady Waterstone's letter on the very top, the distinctive curve of her handwriting burned like a brand on the back of her eyes. She glanced up and saw the recognition of the handwriting pa.s.s across Middleton's features, too.

"Put them in the study," he said, and glanced at Ava. "I will have the pleasure of your company atsupper, madam," he said, his voice brooking no argument.

"Yes," she said tightly. "Of course." With a smile pasted on her face, she walked away, all the lovely, summery feelings inside of her gone and replaced by a cold blast of winter.

Twenty-three.

A va walked straight to her suite, shut the door, and yanked the bellpull as hard as she could. And again.

And every few minutes until Miss Hillier appeared, looking rather startled.

"Lady Middleton? Is everything all right?"

"Where is Sally?" Ava asked.Miss Hillier pressed her lips tightly together disapprovingly. "I beg your pardon, my lady, but there is arather indelicate predicament about which I must speak with his lordship."

Miss Hillier's expression alarmed Ava-something had happened to Sally. "What predicament?" sheasked."I'd rather not say-it's rather vile. But it involved your lady's maid.""Tell me, Miss Hillier!"

The woman's displeasure was pinching her face. "She was seen...cavorting...with one of the footmen.""Cavorting?" Ava echoed, not understanding immediately. She pictured them running about the garden,playing at horse or some such foolishness.

But Miss Hillier narrowed her eyes and spat, "Cavorting," in a manner that clearly relayed her meaning.Lord G.o.d, Sally! Not here! Ava's mind raced-she made a tsk-tsk sound and shook her head. "You mustn't pay her attention, Miss Hillier. Sally is indeed rather flirtatious, but she's quite harmless, I a.s.sureyou."Miss Hillier's face was now a very deep red. "One can hardly term her behavior harmless. You must remember, Lady Middleton, that you are the wife of a marquis now. Your actions-or those of your

servants-reflect on him."Her actions? What of his deplorable actions? "I am well aware," Ava bit out. "But you must rememberthat Sally is from London. It's different there. What is improper here is often tolerated in London."

"Be that as it may, this is certainly not London."The old battle-ax had no b.l.o.o.d.y idea how true that was. "No, it's certainly not," Ava calmly agreed in spite of her racing heart. "But might we give Sally a day or two to acquaint herself with the habits herebefore punishing her?"Miss Hillier seemed to think about that for a moment. But then she shook her head. "I can't let that sort of behavior go unremarked. And I must mention it to his lordship. I've known him since he was but an

infant. He's suffered so much in his life, and particularly at the hands of unscrupulous servants, that I take

it as a personal mission to ensure nothing ever sullies his honor."Suffered? He had no idea what it meant to suffer! And besides, Ava failed to see how Sally'sindiscretions might dishonor Middleton in any manner, but it was apparent that she would get nowherewith his mother hen. "Very well," she said stiffly. "I will speak to my husband about this matter later.Now, then, will you send Sally to me?"

"I'm afraid I can't, Lady Middleton. She has been dispatched to the village.""The village?" Ava cried. "What in G.o.d's name have you done, Miss Hillier?""I did not turn her out," Miss Hillier said icily. "I merely sent her home with the cook's daughter. She will have a roof over her head until Lord Middleton has made his decision."

Ava couldn't contain herself any longer. "I beg your pardon, but do you mean to imply that LordMiddleton will make a decision about who is to be my lady's maid?"The witch actually looked surprised by the question. "Why, of course! Is he not lord and master of this house? Is he not the benefactor of all of us?"

"He is my husband, not the b.l.o.o.d.y king of England!" Ava cried. Her heart was pounding so hard that shecould scarcely breathe.Miss Hillier gasped; she was truly offended.Ava put a hand to her heart and sank wearily onto the edge of her bed."Shall I help you dress?" Miss Hillier asked tightly."No," Ava said, shaking her head. "I will manage."Miss Hillier wasted no time in leaving her room, which suited Ava very much. How had this happened?

How had she gone from fairy tale to nightmare so quickly? She had to manage her way out, think what to do. In the meantime, she wished to G.o.d in his heaven that she could see her mother once more and tell her how wrong she was about marriage.

sp a c e My darling, I wake every morning filled with thoughts of you. I spend my days walking about like the dead, intoxicated by the memory of you. My soul aches to be near you, my heart is full of such love for you that it sets my blood afire....

The knock on his study door prompted Jared to toss Miranda's letter in the fire.

It was Dawson, who bowed deeply as he stepped inside. "I beg your pardon, my lord, but Miss Hillier requests an audience."

"Oh?" he asked idly.

"It would seem there is a bit of trouble with the new lady's maid."

That got his attention. "Show her in."

When Miss Hillier entered, he could tell from her expression that she was very displeased. He was not surprised, really, for Miss Hillier was often displeased-if the flowers weren't cut fresh daily, or a portrait hung a little crookedly on the wall, she was displeased. More often than not, she brought her displeasures to him.

He invited her to take a seat and tell him her woes, which were, not surprisingly, quite long and minutely detailed.

Later that evening, long after Miss Hillier had told him of the incident involving Ava's maid, Jared's thoughts turned to Ava. If Miss Hillier's suspicions about the maid were true-and he rather suspected they were, given the maid's behavior-he was intrigued by how she had come to be in Ava's employ. How could a young, naive debutante-and Ava was, in many respects, naive-have managed to employ a woman with questionable virtue?

He thought of the butler in Ava's house, a man who was intent on opening and closing doors. And theyoung man with the familiar face who had handled Jared's horse the day he'd called on her...hadn't heseen him working in the public stables? Whatever the explanation, he was looking forward to supperwhen he might ask his wife directly. He suspected the answer would be highly entertaining.

That was the thing about Ava he most appreciated, he supposed-she was full of life, full of unconventional ideas and actions. She was unique, he was beginning to realize. An original. He could not imagine ever feeling stifled or feeling that the day was endless with Ava, as he'd felt with Lady Elizabeth.

"Supper is served, my lord," Dawson intoned from the open door of his study.

Was it as late as that? Jared glanced at the clock and noticed the time with some surprise. He'd been sitting in his darkened study for more than an hour, mulling over things. Women in general. Ava, to be precise.

His wife was waiting for him in the green salon, sipping a gla.s.s of wine. She came to her feet when he entered-but not anxiously, not as eagerly as when she'd first arrived at Broderick Abbey.

"Good evening, Lady Middleton."

"My lord."

He took the gla.s.s of wine a footman offered him, turned, and held it up in toast. "To a pleasant evening."

Her brows rose skeptically. She picked up her gla.s.s and held it out, like him. "To a pleasant evening."She drank, put her gla.s.s down, and clasped her hands behind her back. "I should like to speak to youabout a very important matter," she said, her voice strong and clear.

Jared took a seat and crossed one leg over the other. "Would it be about your lady's maid?" he asked casually.

"Yes. My lady's maid. I should like her returned to me as soon as possible."

Frankly, Jared didn't care if her maid was here or in London or riding a star. He did not agree with Miss Hillier that a bit of foolishness with a footman necessitated her immediate dismissal. He did not condone such behavior, of course-at least not in public, where lovers risked discovery-but neither did he condone throwing a young woman to the wolves for one misstep.

What he chose to reveal to Ava, however, was something else entirely. He looked at the footmen and

dismissed them with a nod. When they had quit the room, he looked at his wife and asked simply, "Doyou condone such behavior?""Of course not. I will speak with her.""And do you suppose she will heed what you say?""Of course!" Ava said, clearly agitated. "And I certainly won't require Miss Hillier's a.s.sistance in speaking to my maid."