‘We will not be too long will we my lord?’ she asked when he promptly arrived at two, looking very smart again. This time the carriage was being pulled by his Arabian greys.

‘Do carry a spencer madam? Although we will be back before the sun will set, but I have a basket of refreshments,’ he smiled so courteously, she almost mistook him for a gentleman.

‘My lord this is Harriet, one of the young adults in Mother Agnes’ care.’

‘Good afternoon my lord,’ Harriet curtsied, her eyes slyly blushing as she met his.

‘A pleasure to meet you Ms. Harriet,’ he briefly kissed her wrist and almost immediately released her hand, and while he was indulging in the greeting, Sybrina hurriedly entered the carriage, so the Earl would not attempt to greet her.

His eyes locked with hers as if telling her he saw through her ruse. She looked away, and the Earl held the carriage door, so Harriet could climb in. Harriet took the seat next to Sybrina, the earl comfortably to the middle of the seat opposite Sybrina. The phaeton was large, comfortable and spacious, yet the Earl’s knee still managed to touch her leg. She shifted away sliding to the edge of her seat, as close to the window as she could get. Harriet was chirpy and eagerly engaged the Earl in trivial talk. She was talking to him about the theatre, and the circus that had just come into town, and about an art festival that the orphanage was raising money for. He listened attentively, making appropriate comments when he deemed it necessary.

Sybrina sat quietly. Too aware of the Earl’s presence, not adding to their conversation. She looked out the window pretending to admire the scenery, but saw nothing as her mind was sharply in tune with the passenger who sat directly across her with his knee opportunistically knocking against hers every time his greys took a sharp bend around a corner. He was dangerous was this excuse for a gentleman, good looks, well bred, extremely wealthy, an irrefutable lineage.

Women considered it an honor to have the attention of this rake and surprisingly, every mother who’d given birth to a lass had aspirations of ensnaring the Earl, in the hope he’d offer for one of their daughters. It was a slight blessing in that regard Sybrina reflected that she did not have her mamma around, nor did she wish to be wed to him, or to any other male, gentleman or not. Not if her excuse for a parent or the vile old men he paraded in front of her were considered husband material. Her father’s only interest was to expand his wealth and estate.

No, she shivered, rubbing her palm across her elbow, best she keep her distance from this dangerous gentleman.

‘Are you cold madam?’ the Earl had his coat out and extended towards her before she could respond.

Keeping her distance was going to prove easier said than done she realized, as his eyes locked with hers challenging her to reject his chivalrous act.

‘Thank you, my lord,’ she spoke softly, making sure not to touch his fingers as she took his jacket, and draped it over her chest. He still would not release her eyes, as she tried with difficulty to tear hers away. Sybrina instinctively sought to graze her cheek against the shoulder of his jacket, as the aromatic scent of his cologne tickled her nostrils. She wanted to close her eyes and take her fill inhaling the scent of him__.

Sybrina jerked herself up and looked out the window, vaguely noticing some new trees sprout their shoots, the warm afternoon sun penetrated the window still teasing over her skin. It was a wonderful day, just the day for lovers__.

Count Hail Mary’s, or mentally try to balance the books of the orphanage __

‘Madam’

‘I’m sorry?’

‘We will stop at the brook ahead, and take some refreshments,’ the Earl informed Sybrina with an annoying grin creasing his eyes.

‘Thank you my lord,’ she replied politely, not knowing what else to say.

‘I like your straw silk bonnet,’ it’s very becoming,’ he smiled at her.

Is he teasing me?

‘It’s my favourite hat my lord,’ she smiled at him acidly. The hat was not her favourite. It was the first hat she’d yanked from her chest of draws.

‘Indeed!’ he intoned knowingly.

‘Do you go to Bath often my lord or do you prefer your residence in London?’ Sybrina questioned, needing to get that arrogant smirk off his face.

‘The Countess prefers to spend winter in Bath. She prefers the warmer weather there to the cold temperatures in London. Off course I prefer the livelihood of the ton, especially in season,’ he grinned.

Why am I not surprised.

‘You’ve not found a débutante yet, whom you wish to offer for,’ Sybrina boldly challenged.

If the earl found her impertinence unwelcome, his impeccable manners hid that quite well.

‘I have not been looking for one madam,’ his eyes locked with hers.

‘Surely the Countess desires you to produce an heir,’ she continued to needle him.

‘Would you be interested in making an application?’ he spoke softly, to which Harriet giggled amusedly.

Sybrina squirmed in her seat. She was thoroughly put in her place. ‘I’m sure there are a string of them that are eagerly awaiting your offer. I’m still young, and in no haste to be in marriage just yet,’ she threw at him.

‘Like you madam, I’m in no haste to be tied down either,’ he knocked on the roof, indicating to the groom to make their stop.

This time the Earl was rather ubiquitous in tactically first escorting Harriet out the carriage, and then without seeming to make quite an elobrate display of holding on to Sybrina longer than was necessary, he assisted her out the carriage, when she tried to hastily remove her hands from his, he would not immediately release her, not before his thumb caressingly slid over her wrist, and moved in a circular fashion, sending an exciting pulse racing up her arm.

Nervously, she found her tongue snuck out and licked over her suddenly dry lower lip, and when that did not provide any comfort, she lowered her head, so he would not see in her eyes, that which he should not see.

‘Look! Aren’t they the most handsome deer you’ve ever seen?’ Harriet cooed rushing to the lake to have a closer look at the adorable pair drinking from the refreshing water.

No! don’t leave me alone with him!

‘Harriet don’t wander off to far,’ Sybrina called out, hoping her pleading voice did not give her away.

‘Afraid of the big bad wolf madam?’ he taunted.

‘There are none in these parts,’ she deliberately ignored his innuendo.

‘Not even ones in sheep’s clothing?’

‘I have seen more than my fair share of those in my life my lord,’ her eyes held his steadfastly, ‘but as you can witness, I survived.'

Only I don’t feel the inclination to tell the tale.

Oh she remembered those lustful looks of those vile gentleman friends of her father’s in her early teenage life. Those men who had maidens of their own older than her, those filthy men who looked at her as if she had not a scrap of clothing covering her adolescent body.

‘You will tell me of it one day.’

Sybrina was shocked to find the Earl was whispering so close to her ear. He’d already spread their picnic mat out, the basket was opened, delicious flavours of freshly baked bread, ham, cucumber tinged her nostrils.

‘Thank you,’ she accepted the glass of wine he held out for her, ignoring his soft command for her to bare her soul to him.

Needing some distance away from him, Sybrina shifted away, and turned her back on the Earl to admire the lake and the rich arable agriculture around them.

Fine chaperone you are Harriet. What good are you that far away practically feeding the deer the water?

Sybrina wondered if they were on private property. Could this belong to the Earl? The land as far as she could see was pristine and well looked after. Something about this place told her it and him had a lot in common. It seemed to scream his name, just as he carried himself in that regal form, so to did this lush surroundings of this estate scream majestic in the same vein. It looked like a hundred people nursed the gardens with love and care. A beautiful oyster coloured tree, stood smack in the centre of the lake with those wide reaching branches like an octopus spreading out its tentacles looking scenic.

And didn’t Sybrina know all about nurturing and tendering the lands? Didn’t she slave like a labourer on her father’s estate. Didn’t she pour over her father’s journals, studying and absorbing information about increasing the productivity of the soil? How to avoid soil degradation, monitoring the use of the land. Learning what impacts environments, and human action had on harvests.

And hadn’t it been unreserved pride she’d seen beaming in the eyes of her father’s estate’s foreman, when she’d started the process to produce their own fertilizer as a source of much needed energy for their agricultural products . Sybrina had also banned the use of pesticides, rather favouring genetic and sterile male techniques, biological control and resistance breeding, as an alternative to chemical use.

‘Ah nothing like the wholesome, untainted beauty of natural soil,’ Sybrina murmured, grabbing a handful of soil and watching it seep through her fingers.

‘How would you know?’ the Earl sat down next to her, facing her, his back to the lake, he stretched his long legs in front of her.

Sybrina looked up quickly. She had not realized she’d spoken aloud. A look towards the lake saw Harriet very stealthily trying to edge closer to the deer.

Damn it Harriet, you need to come back here!

‘The colour,’ Sybrina breathed softly, picking up some soil again, and smiled as she looked at the Earl. ‘It’s virgin soil,’ she avoided his eyes, ‘untainted by chemicals, ‘ she dropped it again, and quickly gulped from her glass.

Like you Sybrina, wholesome, and untouched perhaps?

‘So what have we to feast on my lord? Sybrina escaped him again to inspect the food hamper.

‘Just you seat yourself there madam, and I shall do the honours,’ the Earl lifted himself up effortlessly.

Sybrina poured some drinking water into a cup, washed her hands thoroughly, letting the water fall into the well manicured shrubs and awaited the Earl with baited breath. He served her a plate with thinly shaved slices of ham, a chunk of bread, slices of apples and cucumber.

‘Harriet we’re about to lunch!’ Sybrina called waving to the young lady, who waved in return and made her way back.

‘Thank you my lord. It looks beautiful,’ Sybrina’s stomach growled. It had not seen food since breakfast this morning at the crack of dawn.

‘Not as beautiful as you madam,’ the Earl sang out, making Sybrina blush, just before Harriet plonked herself on the mat.

‘I wish I could take them home,’ she gushed, unaware of the palpable tension between Sybrina and the Earl.

‘They’re meant to roam free. Why would you want to deprive them that?’ Sybrina spoke, wanting to say anything to diffuse the simmering atmosphere, Harriet seemed oblivious to.

‘Oh just to love on em,’ she moaned.

‘If you take them home, I dare say they’ll end up in the cook’s pot,’ Lord Alexander grinned.

‘Oh no,’ she grimaced, as the Earl handed her a plate.

‘And what abouts you m'lord? We should be serving you,’

Sybrina was about to put a forkful of ham into her mouth, and realized she’d forgotten her good manners that was expected of a lady and serve a gentleman. He really unnerved her, did this man.

‘I consider it an honour to serve you ladies, he included Harriet, yet his eyes stayed on Sybrina, but she refuse to meet his, instead she focused on the cheese on her plate. Excruciatingly aware of him gracefully perched on the mat across from her, blatantly studying her , Sybrina quickly sliced a piece of cheese and elegantly lifted it to her mouth, more for something to do, and less for the fact that she was hungry.

She’d been so nervous about going anywhere public with this Rake that she’d not had a stomach for luncheon. He continued to look intently at her, Sybrina drew her glass to her lips. Mmm the wine was good, strong, warm, very palatable, of good stock, surprisingly even better than her father’s and her father was mighty proud of the products of his cellar. He was more prone to be proud of his cellar than his daughter, Sybrina reflected.

‘What makes your eyes that sad madam? The Earl's eyes danced with mischief.

‘Sad? No my lord. I’m just telling myself this wine is the most delicious I’ve tasted.’

The Earl studied her face, sure that it was not her appreciation of his good wine that was responsible for that look in her eyes, but he will get his answer, he was a patient man.

She did not know just how patient, and succumb to him, she will, like every other beauty that caught his eye, only this one made the blood in his veins burn with a consuming desire to have her soft gentle body beneath his, and to sink himself in the depths of her sensuous flesh.

The Earl watched in fascination, as her lips moved as she chewed, he followed the movement when she swallowed heavily, he watched her throat as it beat nervously. Brazenly he let his gaze roam down over her bosom, they were firm, beautiful, upright. The nerve ends in his fingers tingled just from imagining his fingers curling around those luscious breasts.

Sybrina groaned inwardly, she was infuriatingly aware of the Earl’s gaze raking over her from head to toe. She wanted to bring up the light lunch she had indulged in. How dare he look at her in that cheap way? Really the rake had no shame!

‘This is your property m'lord?’ Harriet asked what Sybrina was too well mannered to give voice to. ‘I think I noticed your family coat of arms on the wall of that shed,’ Harriet pointed to a tiny building that Sybrina only now noticed.

‘Yes, it is part of the Cavendish estate,’ he seemed not to be able to contain the pride that crept into his voice, as he took in the entire length and breadth of the land as far as the eye could see.

‘As far as your eye can see, ‘he smiled, is lush, untainted forest, with its natural eco system and habitat undisturbed for over two hundred years.’

‘Wow, that is truly amazing,’ Harriet replied in total fascination.

‘You’re welcome to bring the young ones here anytime you feel like,’ the Earl beamed brightly.

‘What say Sybrina? Can we make it a picnic next week?’ Harriet tugged on Sybrina’s arm.

It would be a mission to transport all twenty of them here. The thought of the logistics of it was enough to give Sybrina a headache. Not that they had enough carriages to carry all the young ones, including their food, and they would need at least five adults to look after and serve the young ones.

‘Just say when, and I can arrange all the transportation with my own carriages,’ the Earl spoke as if contemplating her intended refusal.

‘I’m sure it will be fine, I’ll just clear it with Father Timothy,’ Sybrina smiled at Harriet.

‘Oh the young ones will right enjoy such a treat, m'lord,’ Harriet nodded ecstatically.

‘My lord, should we not we making our return?’ Sybrina looked up into the sky pointedly.

‘We shall not be having rain this day, madam,’ Lord Alexander glanced up at the sky, and met her eyes challengingly.

‘We still need to bathe the children. Serve them supper and put them to bed,’ Sybrina argued.

‘Very well,’ he rose, turned and whistled softy, which brought his groom and carriage to an immediate halt right where they were resting. Immediately without being told, and as if he cleaned up often after his master, the groom proceeded to pack away the remains of their picnic.

Whilst the Earl had a lengthy chat to his groom, Sybrina used the opportunity to hop inside the phaeton, and slid to the far corner, hoping the Earl would sit close to the door and keep away from her. She felt like a nervous wreck, all high strung up like a guitar, and keyed up just from spending an afternoon with him. She hoped they’d never have to set eyes on each other ever again. He made her feel things she shouldn’t.

‘Are you a reading man m'lord?’ Harriet asked on the way back home. ‘Sybrina reads a lot.’

‘Yes, I am,’ he grinned lazily, ‘and what does the madam read?’ his eyes locked with Sybrina’s

‘Oh she loves them farming journals, and love stories, and she reads them political stuff too.’

Sybrina slid lower down in her seat, wishing Harriet would shut up.

‘Political stuff?’ the Earl selectively quizzed sardonically.

‘Yeah. Sybrina says if there were never men, we’d never have any wars.’

‘Did she now!’

‘Harriet would you stop talking as if I’m not here! And I’d love to take credit for those words,’ she looked the Earl straight in the eye, ‘but I’m not the author of thst quote.’

‘Indeed!’

Oh do be quiet!

‘So you believe men are trigger happy and just desire to wage war madam?’

I believe men are self serving and their divisive ambitions results in war.

‘Whilst I would advocate the pen before the sword madam, sometimes peace comes only at such a price.

‘We only wage war because we want what’s not ours, I find my lord. We want the land that’s not ours. We want the natural resources that’s not ours, and when we can’t get it we apply bullying tactics,’ her innuendo was not lost on him as to why they were on this outing this day.

‘Oh I can’t wait for the picnic next week,’ Harriet enthused as the phaeton came to a standstill outside the orphanage.

He knew she would be all fire and brimstone and she did not disappoint him at all, no, not one bit. She was an enigma, he planned to unravel, and he will delight in unraveling this delicious mystery, one sumptuous layer at a time.

‘Thank you my lord for a wonderful afternoon,’ Sybrina graciously offered.

‘It was all my pleasure madam and I would like to see the handiwork of my men, before I take my leave,’ he asserted, when she would attempt to wave him off.

‘Fine,’ Sybrina conceded, ‘please excuse me, I have to attend to the children’s’ night routine.

And just when Sybrina thought she got rid of one quandary for the day, there stood the Landlord awaiting the week’s rent, and there also stood Mother Agnes wringing her fingers.

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