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house, arranged in a U-shape around a central yard. There in the yard stood a large bay stallion, saddled and ready. The groom at his head struggled to control the animal, which appeared full of oats and eager for some exercise. Mr. Kerre looked at the beast with satisfaction. “I planned to go into the village to find some breakfast. Richard’s already gone with Lord Hareton and his brother on their mission to collect their prophet.” He grinned. “But I think a good breakfast was more of an enticement than the opportunity to meet the fabled minister.” Much of Lord Hareton’s conversation the previous evening had been of this man, who obviously inspired his lordship to adopt his present way of life. Would you ladies care to accompany me?”
    I shook my head. “I’m afraid we didn’t bring any horses.” I would have loved to ride out. At home, I often did so, in the morning.
    “That’s no problem. Miss Cartwright and her aunt sent their hacks ahead with our mounts. If you feel you could give them some exercise while you’re here, they would greatly appreciate it. My brother’s intended doesn’t spend much time on horseback, although she likes to travel in state.” His comments made it clear what he thought of the beauteous Miss Cartwright. And horses needed exercise.
    I opened my mouth to refuse but Lizzie forestalled me. “That’s very kind, sir. It would be a pleasure.”
    Bloodstock was expensive and clumsy riders could ruin a good horse. However, since Lizzie had accepted with such alacrity I had to accept too, and thanked him. The propriety of such an action troubled me, too. Before I could think it through, Mr. Kerre turned and gave the groom an order. The man went off to prepare the horses.
    “I’m told the village is only four miles away, and boasts a comfortable hostelry,” Mr. Kerre said. “I’m not sure we can expect much here, and I need sustenance, especially in the mornings. The others have quite a head start on us. They set off nearly an hour ago.”
    “I didn’t think Lord Strang would keep such early hours,” Lizzie said lightly. It was a forward comment, but Mr. Kerre didn’t seem to mind.
    “He’s a law unto himself. He has few habits, changing from day to day. Indeed, I hardly recognised him when I returned from abroad, he’d changed so much. Besides, he had a poor night of it last night. He said he’d ordered every stitch of bedding he had brought with him put on the bed. Even then, he couldn’t sleep, so he gave up and got up.”
    “We doubled up,” Lizzie confessed. “The bed was large enough, but the bedding too thin.”
    Mr. Kerre smiled again. “I wish we’d thought of that.” I found it difficult to imagine the haughty viscount sharing his bed with anyone except, perhaps, Miss Cartwright after they wed. Then, they would be at either side of a very large, grand bed. I couldn’t imagine him with his brother in the same fashion as Lizzie and I had scrambled our bedding together last night.
    In a remarkably short time, the groom had found the two horses and tacked them up with ladies’ side-saddles.
    “The groom is very efficient,” I remarked. “More than I expected of this place.”
    “He’s my brother’s groom. We brought him with us.” Mr. Kerre called to the man, “Did you sleep well, Bennett?”
    “No indeed, sir,” the man called back. He didn’t seem to care who overheard. “It’s very draughty, up by the roof in the main house. I’ll try to find somewhere nearer to the stables, I think.”
    Mr. Kerre nodded to Bennett and helped us mount the horses, which were very well kept animals. The side-saddles must belong to the Kerre party too, as they were of good quality and not at all worn. I thought sadly of my well-used gear left at home, waiting for me to save enough from my pin money to replace it.
    “We owe you our thanks for the loan of the horses and saddles,” I said, when I’d settled my mount.
    Mr. Kerre, now also mounted, held his