But when he entered the dining room and greeted his parents, he learned his son had already eaten and gone out.
“He took me up on the offer regarding the horses,” Papa said while James took a seat across from Mama. “Claimed it would be nice to go for a gallop without having to worry about knocking over pedestrians.”
“Can’t blame him,” James said. He poured himself a cup of coffee and reached for a slice of toast. “Riding is much more enjoyable out here in the open countryside. There’s more room for it. Did Michael say when he’d be back?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Hmm… I had intended to have him join me today.” James piled some eggs and bacon onto his plate and started to eat. “Helping the Hendersons would have taken his mind off Mrs. Petersen. It would have provided us with a common goal which I’d hoped might help fix our differences.”
Mama sighed. “He needs time to accept your reasoning, James. You can’t deny him the love of his life and expect him not to be angry or hurt. But I’m sure he’ll come around eventually. Just give him some time and let him work through this at his own pace.”
“He’s not in love with her,” James grumbled. He spooned a portion of eggs, bacon, and toast into his mouth and chewed. “He may think he is, but he’s wrong.”
“As wrong as you were when you claimed you would die if Clara refused your hand in marriage?” Papa inquired.
“Exactly. Which is why it is up to me to make sure he doesn’t make a similar error in judgment.”
“We tried to protect you too,” Mama reminded him. “But you did as you wanted anyway.”
“Yes. I recall.” James sipped his coffee. His parents had warned him that Clara did not seem as smitten with him as he was with her. They’d claimed she wanted a marriage of convenience while he believed he was getting a love match. He’d ignored them, insisted they knew nothing of how she felt about him. Stupid young fool. How blind he’d been. “Michael isn’t as headstrong, thank God. He’s also got a surprising amount of common sense for someone so young. So as long as Mrs. Petersen isn’t nearby, infecting him with infatuation and lust, I dare say he’ll see reason soon.”
“I’m sure you’re right, dear.”
James frowned. His mother did not sound the least bit convinced and when he looked at Papa, James saw he was doing his best to force back a smile. Clearly neither believed Michael’s feelings for Mrs. Petersen could be banished with the ease James described. Well, he’d show them. Michael had little experience with women. Of course he would fall for the first one who returned his interest.
“Say, are there any dances scheduled at the assembly hall anytime soon?” He stuffed more food into his mouth and glanced at his parents.
“I believe the next one will be in three weeks,” Mama said.
James sighed and finished the remainder of his meal. So much for introducing Michael to some of the local gentry. A practical country girl would have cured him of Mrs. Petersen’s hold. Ah well. Back to the idea of physical exercise and fresh air it was. He downed the remainder of his coffee and stood. “I’ll see you both later.”
“Good luck with the digging,” Papa called after him.
James raised one hand to acknowledge the comment while striding from the room. He collected his hat and gloves and put on his greatcoat. Warren handed him the luncheon he’d ordered from the kitchen the previous evening. It would prevent him wasting precious time by having to come back at midday.
Once ready, James left the main house and went to the stables. As always, his father kept an enviable selection of horses. James picked the same one he’d used the last time he’d come for a visit – a golden Arabian stallion named Jupiter. After the saddle and bridle had been secured by the head groom, James swung himself onto Jupiter’s back and left for the Hendersons.
Seven hours later, he felt as though he’d taken a beating from a champion bare-knuckle bruiser. Everything hurt. Muscles he’d not used in months screamed in response to each move he made. A reminder he might need to exercise more on a regular basis. Sitting at his desk all day was not good for his constitution. It didn’t feel like shoveling dirt was either, but he knew from experience he would feel better in a few days if he kept up the work.
“I’ll be back again tomorrow,” he promised Mr. Henderson when he prepared to head back to Clarington House. “If my son comes with me I reckon we’ll finish the job in less than five days.”
“Thank ye, Mr. Dale.” Mr. Henderson extended his freshly washed hand and James shook it.
They were both grubby from head to toe, but at least Mrs. Henderson had been able to give them clean water and soap. Still, James longed for a hot bath and a change of clothes. With the promise of such fine luxury no more than a hard ten minute ride away, he took his leave and started across the fields, which was faster than taking the roads.
At just after five in the afternoon, the daylight was starting to fade into more muted tones. The sun dipped low against the sky, spreading a flare of magical light across the rippling hills. Taken by it, James drew his mount to a halt for a moment and let himself savor the beauty. A gentle breeze cooled his face while a flock of siskins chased each other across the sky. He recognized them by their yellow plumage.
Inhaling deeply, he nudged Jupiter into an easy gait. This was Suffolk. No court case waited for him in the morning. He had no reason to rush besides his own desire for cleanliness. But that could wait. Of greater importance was taking time to stop and look – to truly admire the beauty of his surroundings – and to appreciate just how privileged he was to be able to come here.
Perhaps burying himself in work was the wrong approach. He’d done it as a means to escape the memories of the war and of Clara, but maybe there ought to be more of a balance. Maybe he should pay more attention to Michael – figure out who he was besides being his son, and offer more guidance.
James blew out a breath. Was he to blame for this business with Mrs. Petersen? He’d taken Michael to the Pennington ball, but since the scandal, he’d stayed away from social functions. Michael had been left to the company of friends he’d known from university, and whoever else he’d met with when he wasn’t at home. And without James really being aware of what his son got up to, it had been nearly impossible to guide him. Certainly not with regard to romance. In fact, the more James thought on it, the more he decided he’d done his son a terrible disservice. He should have taken him out more and made sure he recognized what sort of woman would make a good match.
After all, his closest female role model had been his mother.
Christ.
James shook his head. It was time for him to pull himself together. He needed to push his work aside and give his son the attention he obviously needed.
A feminine laugh, bubbling with mirth, intruded upon his thoughts.
Instinctively, James swung Jupiter toward it and frowned. It was probably one of the farm girls who lived nearby since the nearest gentry were a good five miles in the opposite direction. And if she was frolicking about with a local lad, it was none of James’s business. She’d laughed, after all, not screamed or shouted for help.
He prepared to resume his homeward trek when a body popped out from between the tall grass. James’s heart jolted. He’d recognize Michael anywhere, even at a distance of roughly twenty yards. And if he’d decided to work through his frustration by taking advantage of one of his father’s tenants, James would give the boy a thrashing the likes of which he’d never experienced before.