“Not a battlefield, not a battlefield, not cannon shot, not cannon shot. Home safe, home safe.”
It was intended for his own ears only. After a few minutes, his breathing settled, and the shaking eased. Still muttering to himself, he forced his muscles to unclamp, and uncurled himself, back to a normal sitting position. When there were no further loud noises, he cautiously reached out and poured himself a small glass of brandy. He sipped it slowly, letting it spread warmth through him.
He could do this. If there weren’t too many more crashes.
Moments later there was a gentle tap on the door. Graves was a good man. The Butler had quickly recognised that Lord Barton was not comfortable with loud noises and sudden movements, and adapted his approach, without ever saying a word about it. Bart was utterly grateful for the man’s courtesy.
“Enter.”
“My Lord, Mr Tideswell is here – shall I show him in?”
“Yes, thank you Graves. And have cook send up some tea, if you would.”
Graves nodded, and closed the door, giving Bart a chance to swallow the last of the brandy and put the glass aside. The shakes were, blessedly, gone. Pray that Tideswell had good news about Gallowbridge House. If the owner would sell, Bart would move there as fast as possible, and supervise the renovations from there. Whilst supervising the work for Oliver Kentworthy, Marquess of Dartworth, he had initially lived in the gatekeeper’s house, until enough of the Abbey had been restored to be habitable properly. It had been far quieter there, if rather small.
He was not sure how much more of the unexpected noises he could take, yet he was certain that there would be more. Workmen could not restore a centuries old building without dropping the occasional beam or large stone block.
Still, even with the noise, it was far better to be here, than living in his family’s home. Hawkford Park contained his father, and his brothers, and was, as a consequence, also full of expectations about how Bart should behave – expectations which he could not meet, and was no longer willing to even try to meet.
Oliver’s offer of a lengthy stay at Dartworth Abbey, and free use of its stables and fields to begin his horse breeding enterprise, had been a godsend. Here, at least, he did not have to explain himself every day, nor was there anyone to sneer at his weakness.
Graves tapped on the door again, and showed Mr Tideswell in.
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Claiming the Heart of a Duke
Intriguing the Viscount
Giving a Heart of Lace
Being Lady Harriet’s Hero
Enchanting the Duke
Redeeming the Marquess
Finding the Duke’s Heir
Winning the Merchant Earl
Healing Lord Barton (coming soon)
Kissing the Duke of Hearts (coming soon)
Loving the Bitter Baron (coming soon)
Rescuing the Countess (coming soon)
Attracting the Spymaster (coming soon)
Restoring the Earl’s Honour (coming soon)
The Earl’s Unexpected Bride
The Captain’s Compromised Heiress
The Viscount’s Unsuitable Affair
The Count’s Impetuous Seduction
The Rake’s Unlikely Redemption
The Marquess’ Scandalous Mistress
The Marchioness’ Second Chance (Coming Soon!)
Lady Theodora’s Christmas Wish
The Derbyshire Set Omnibus Edition Vol. 1 (the first three books all in one)
The Derbyshire Set Omnibus Edition Vol. 2 (the second three books all in one)
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Winning the Merchant Earl: Sweet and Clean Regency Romance (His Majesty's Hounds Book 8) Page 20
