Samuel liked Thomas Lytton immediately. There were twelve people in total at the dinner party. Six in the Witherspoon group. The Lytton party consisted of Thomas and Rebecca, the Dowager Stephenson, her two granddaughters Matilda and Vivian, along with the local priest Father Hampton.

The Dowager couldn't control her excitement at finding two young men amongst the people invited. Though her granddaughters were only fifteen and sixteen and hadn't yet come out, she felt there was no time like the present to start introducing them to potential husbands. Then, to discover one of the young men was the son of His Grace the Duke of Irvine, was an added bonus. After the introductions she took her granddaughters aside, fluffed their hair and pinched their cheeks.

Samuel, however, had eyes for Maree only. Three nights he had spent with her and each night the pleasure intensified. He couldn't believe some of the things he was learning and the more he learned the more he wanted. He craved her in every waking moment. Samuel stared across at her, his penis pushed hard against his trousers. He hadn't heard Thomas ask him a question.

Edmond kicked him under the table. Samuel jerked in his seat and peered at Edmond. "Your attention is required at the other end of the table," Edmond said under his breath. "And stop staring at my cousin. Your infatuation is on display."

"Oh." Samuel turned to see all eyes on him. He had no idea who had addressed him.

Thomas saved him from embarrassment by saying, "Mr. Witherspoon says you have a great interest in horses, My Lord."

"Samuel. Please call me Sam or Samuel." Why did he have to constantly ask this of people? "Yes. I love horses. It is my dream to have a stud one day."

"What breed do you favour?" Thomas leaned forward and rested his forearms on the table. It was clear the young earl had eyes for Lady Holliston. He glanced at her. She would be at least seven years older if not more. He looked at her husband, his head lolled against the high back chair. Well, Thomas thought. Every young man had to learn the ways of women, and who better to teach him, than an attractive married one.

"The Arabian, sir," Samuel said with interest at this change of topic.

Thomas chuckled, "You're in luck. I too, have an affinity for these magnificent animals. If you would like to come over one day, I'll show you my stable."

"You have Arabians?" Samuel's eyes lit up. "I would love to see them."

"Then let's organise a day. I'm home for the holidays, and will be very happy to have someone to talk to who has an interest the same as mine." Thomas patted the back of Rebecca's hand. "My lovely wife finds the subject of horses a bore."

"That's because I have other interests to fill my time." Rebecca tweaked one eyebrow at Thomas and smiled. "As in, our five children."

"Oh, yes." Alice Witherspoon beamed. "How are the children? Hannah must be eleven now."

"Twelve, Alice. She's twelve and growing so fast." Rebecca loved talking about her children. "Julia is ten, Thomas junior eight, and the twins, Andrew and Izzy, we call Elizabeth Izzy, are six." She would have loved to tell them she was expecting again, but didn't want to announce the news this early in her pregnancy.

"Talking of children." Father Hampton directed his question at Thomas. "Is it true you found a stray in the woods?"

Thomas didn't like that Shay was referred to as a stray. He knew the staff called her this and could only guess one of them had informed the priest of her arrival.

"Yes, Father." Rebecca picked up on Thomas' tension, so to deflect any angst she answered, "Her name is Shay. Thomas found her in a very dangerous situation. We have now given her a home. She's around the same age as Hannah, though smaller. They have become firm friends in just a few weeks. The poor mite had been very ill-treated. She's helping Martha with the children."

"Shay," the Dowager huffed. "What sort of name is that?" She turned up her nose. "You be careful. These street urchins can be cunning. It wouldn't surprise me if she was planted in the woods by her parents to hopefully win your favour. Give it a few more weeks and I should not be at all shocked if you find your silver going missing."

Rebecca noticed Thomas clench his teeth so she clutched his hand as he said, "If you must know, Dowager Stephenson, the child was with a peddler who had beaten her black and blue. He was then in the process of sel..."

"Thomas." Rebecca shook her head. "There are young men and women present. This isn't a nice topic for the dinner table."

"Yes. I'm terribly sorry. Please forgive me. The subject makes my blood boil." Thomas took a breath and smiled. "The main thing is, she is now safe and well." He kissed the back of Rebecca's hand. What would he ever do without her? A subject change was needed. He smiled and announced, "I think it's time for dessert."

There's always one mean old judgemental woman, isn't there? 

Next week, Shay and Samuel meet for the first time.

Photo copyright. Donna Hatch