He gave Hiscock strict instructions that he was not at home especially to any lady callers, and he ignored the flurry of letters bearing feminine handwriting that dropped constantly through the letterbox.
Then one morning at breakfast, there came a fateful missive that caused the Countess to drop her cereal spoon with a clatter.
“No!” she cried with a low moan.
“Mama, what is it?”
“It is Alec. He has fallen off a horse and broken his leg! Darling, we must both go at once to Ledbury Hall!”
Inwardly the Earl groaned.
‘Blast Alec!’ he cursed as he tried to comfort his mother.
He rang for Hiscock and told him they would be returning to Worcestershire and everything should be made ready for the journey.
His mother looked up at him gratefully and patted his hand affectionately.
An hour
