Read Online Lord Nick's Folly by Emily Hendrickson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Emily Hendrickson
Tags: Regency Romance
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experienced a strange compulsion to protect Miss Herbert from any attentions Milburn cared to send her way. What had he said to her to make her chuckle in such an engaging manner? He'd give a monkey to know.
* * * *
Morning brought Nympha bright eyes and curiosity about her surroundings. With the sun shining, albeit through clouds here and there, she wanted to explore outdoors.
Once she had finished her chocolate and rolls, she bade Annie help her dress—which was becoming easier as Annie's wrist returned to normal.
"I don't hear anyone downstairs, miss. House be as quiet as a tomb."
Nympha donned her cloak with haste, tying the tapes with eager fingers, then pulled on gloves. "I wish to explore a little, see something of the gardens. I shall return in time to partake of a light breakfast."
She skimmed down the central staircase. No matter it was early, Foley materialized to open the front door for her. "The early tulips are to the left, miss. Quite nice, they are, too."
With a word of thanks, she marched down to the gravel path, then turned to the left. It didn't take her long to find the enormous beds of barely opened tulips. The first bed was of red tulips for the most part, with two stripes of white dividing it. Oh, how her mother would have enjoyed seeing this display. She wandered on to admire a bed of early pink, still in bud, with the greenery of later-blooming tulips around them, and a border of hardy blue pansies. Another bed of short yellow tulips interspersed with white were quite showy, even if short of stem. Purple pansies bordered this bed. She bent over to pick a few of the fragrant blooms.
"Good morning, Miss Herbert. Out and about early, I see."
"Mr. Milburn! Fancy seeing you here." Nympha shot up, staring at him with surprise. On their journey north she had the impression that Mr. Milburn had a difficult time waking and took his time dressing. He did not believe in the simplicity of garb that Lord Nicholas did. However, his cravat appeared hastily tied, and he had the look of one who had been in a rush. In a hurry to see her? She found that difficult to believe. Clutching her pansies in uneasy fingers, she took a step toward the house.
"It is a lovely morning. Why not see a little of the grounds as long as we are out and about?"
She felt flustered. If Annie were here, she would not hesitate. Then, spotting a gardener up ahead, Nympha nodded agreement. Naturally, Mr. Milburn would not do anything out of line, but she felt better knowing someone else was around.
"I suppose that accustomed to living in a village where nothing exciting ever happens, you are finding this trip to be delightful," he said.
Nympha imagined that most people who lived in London or a larger town would think the same. "The trip has been lovely, but you must not think that village life is always dull. Why, not too long ago we had a murder in the village. Or, I should say, on the golf links that Lord Nicholas created. It caused quite a sensation."
"I heard a rumor of the violent end to a life. Tell me, did anyone see who did the deed?" He took hold of her arm to guide her around a wheelbarrow that had weeds and dead leaves heaped in it.
If Nympha thought this was an exceedingly peculiar conversation to have early in the morning while walking in the gardens, she didn't say so. "No, and that was frightening. But Papa said whoever killed the person was likely long gone by the time the body was discovered."
"So, they have no clue as to who might have murdered him?"
"Not really. Oh—did you happen to see any strangers about when you were talking to that man? I saw you out near the links that same day, only earlier. ‘Tis such a lovely area, with the trees, ponds, and neatly scythed grass, that I go there often simply to enjoy it—much like a park."
"Ah, no, not in the least. The chap I spoke to was an old acquaintance, and we chatted briefly before I returned to my lodging. And," he continued with a smile, "I remained in
* * * *
Morning brought Nympha bright eyes and curiosity about her surroundings. With the sun shining, albeit through clouds here and there, she wanted to explore outdoors.
Once she had finished her chocolate and rolls, she bade Annie help her dress—which was becoming easier as Annie's wrist returned to normal.
"I don't hear anyone downstairs, miss. House be as quiet as a tomb."
Nympha donned her cloak with haste, tying the tapes with eager fingers, then pulled on gloves. "I wish to explore a little, see something of the gardens. I shall return in time to partake of a light breakfast."
She skimmed down the central staircase. No matter it was early, Foley materialized to open the front door for her. "The early tulips are to the left, miss. Quite nice, they are, too."
With a word of thanks, she marched down to the gravel path, then turned to the left. It didn't take her long to find the enormous beds of barely opened tulips. The first bed was of red tulips for the most part, with two stripes of white dividing it. Oh, how her mother would have enjoyed seeing this display. She wandered on to admire a bed of early pink, still in bud, with the greenery of later-blooming tulips around them, and a border of hardy blue pansies. Another bed of short yellow tulips interspersed with white were quite showy, even if short of stem. Purple pansies bordered this bed. She bent over to pick a few of the fragrant blooms.
"Good morning, Miss Herbert. Out and about early, I see."
"Mr. Milburn! Fancy seeing you here." Nympha shot up, staring at him with surprise. On their journey north she had the impression that Mr. Milburn had a difficult time waking and took his time dressing. He did not believe in the simplicity of garb that Lord Nicholas did. However, his cravat appeared hastily tied, and he had the look of one who had been in a rush. In a hurry to see her? She found that difficult to believe. Clutching her pansies in uneasy fingers, she took a step toward the house.
"It is a lovely morning. Why not see a little of the grounds as long as we are out and about?"
She felt flustered. If Annie were here, she would not hesitate. Then, spotting a gardener up ahead, Nympha nodded agreement. Naturally, Mr. Milburn would not do anything out of line, but she felt better knowing someone else was around.
"I suppose that accustomed to living in a village where nothing exciting ever happens, you are finding this trip to be delightful," he said.
Nympha imagined that most people who lived in London or a larger town would think the same. "The trip has been lovely, but you must not think that village life is always dull. Why, not too long ago we had a murder in the village. Or, I should say, on the golf links that Lord Nicholas created. It caused quite a sensation."
"I heard a rumor of the violent end to a life. Tell me, did anyone see who did the deed?" He took hold of her arm to guide her around a wheelbarrow that had weeds and dead leaves heaped in it.
If Nympha thought this was an exceedingly peculiar conversation to have early in the morning while walking in the gardens, she didn't say so. "No, and that was frightening. But Papa said whoever killed the person was likely long gone by the time the body was discovered."
"So, they have no clue as to who might have murdered him?"
"Not really. Oh—did you happen to see any strangers about when you were talking to that man? I saw you out near the links that same day, only earlier. ‘Tis such a lovely area, with the trees, ponds, and neatly scythed grass, that I go there often simply to enjoy it—much like a park."
"Ah, no, not in the least. The chap I spoke to was an old acquaintance, and we chatted briefly before I returned to my lodging. And," he continued with a smile, "I remained in
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