Heart of Fire. Kat Martin

discovered a thing, except that Grayson Forsythe had a very worrisome effect on her.

      She turned so that Allison could work the buttons at the back of her gown. “The earl was there. He didn’t go to supper with Rebecca and his brother.”

      Allison’s head snapped up. “You spoke to him out in the garden?”

      “Why, yes.”

      “That is the second time you’ve met him. What is he like?”

      Corrie bit her lip. How to describe the earl? “He is…the earl is a most unusual man. Besides being handsome in the extreme, there is something about him…. I cannot quite grasp what it is. He is very intense and has a decided air of mystery about him.”

      Allison helped her out of her dress and tossed it onto the bed. “Do you think he might commit murder?”

      A shiver ran through her. “I am not sure. But he is a big man and clearly strong enough to accomplish such a feat if he wished. He is a man of the world, and certainly the sort to attract a woman. I’ll need to investigate him further, and of course, we must find some proof that he and Laurel were involved.”

      Allison began to loosen the strings of her corset and Corrie drew in a welcome breath.

      “You are just arrived,” her companion said. “In time, you will find out the truth.”

      “I certainly hope so.” Time was what she needed. She had to find answers about Laurel, answers about the earl.

      Which meant spending more time in his company.

      Corrie ignored the odd rush of heat that thought filtered into her stomach.

      The morning was blustery, the breeze whipping the newly leafed branches on the trees outside the windows. Needing a moment to fortify her courage, Corrie stood outside the door to the breakfast room she had been directed to by one of the servants, a small, very thin, dark-skinned man.

      Speaking with an accent unlike any she had ever heard, he’d told her his name was Samir. When she asked him where he came from, he’d said he was from the Oudh District of India, that his family was no longer living and he had come to England with Lord Tremaine.

      A manservant from India. More and more the earl intrigued her. She could think of no one of her acquaintance who was anything like him.

      Corrie walked into the breakfast room, a cheery place done in yellow and peach, with a table loaded with gold-rimmed porcelain and gleaming silver. Delicious smells rose from an elaborate sideboard covered with silver chafing dishes and steaming urns of coffee and tea.

      “Good morning, Cousin.” A handsome blond man spotted her and rose from his chair. Charles Forsythe was shorter than his brother, and as fair as his wife instead of dark like the earl. Tremaine followed suit and rose as well, but more slowly, with a casual sort of insolence that seemed to be part of his nature.

      “I’m your cousin Charles,” the blond man continued. “You’ve already met my brother, Gray, and my wife, Rebecca.”

      “Why, yes. It’s good to meet you, Cousin Charles. Good morning, everyone.” She didn’t look at the earl. She didn’t like the oddly disoriented feeling she experienced whenever she did.

      “Do join us,” Charles said. “You must be hungry. You missed supper last evening.”

      She managed a smile. “Yes, I discover I am ravenously hungry this morning.”

      She dared a glance at Tremaine, saw his eyes darken with something she couldn’t read, and continued over to the chair Charles pulled out for her.

      “You’re beginning to settle in?” he asked. “Your maid has found the kitchen and acquainted herself with our servants?”

      “Yes. It is very kind of you to allow me this visit.”

      Charles smiled. He had very white teeth and hazel eyes, and though he was not as imposing as his brother, he was a very attractive man. “I’m sure Becky will enjoy the chance for female companionship.”

      But when Corrie glanced at Rebecca, the tight smile she received made it clear that Cousin Becky wished Letty Moss had never arrived at Castle Tremaine.

      Breakfast continued with pleasant conversation, Charles being as charming as his older brother was not. Tremaine said little, but she could feel his eyes on her, and the sensation sent nervous tremors through her core. There was something about him…. And yet the more she was around him, the less she could imagine her sister enjoying his company, let alone falling in love with him.

      Laurel had always been sweet and terribly shy. A man like Gray Forsythe would have frightened her, not charmed her. But perhaps there was another side of the man that Corrie had not yet seen.

      The earl had arrived earlier than the rest of his family and was nearly finished with his meal by the time a servant filled a plate for her and set it down on the table. Obviously, the man was an early riser. He finished the last of his eggs, cast her a final glance and excused himself from the group. The minute he disappeared from the breakfast room, the pressure in Corrie’s chest began to ease.

      She took a deep breath and released it slowly, fixed her attention on Charles and Rebecca, and joined in their light conversation.

      “I’m afraid I have a prior engagement this afternoon,” Rebecca said. “Perhaps tomorrow we’ll have a chance to get to know each other a bit.”

      “That would be nice,” Corrie said, not at all looking forward to the event. Still, getting to know Rebecca Forsythe might lead to information about Laurel and the earl.

      As the meal continued, neither Charles nor Rebecca mentioned Letty’s missing husband, Cyrus—a blessing, since Corrie knew almost nothing about him.

      As soon as everyone finished, she excused herself and returned upstairs. Since Rebecca had dodged her company, Corrie intended to take advantage of the time she had to herself and walk to the village. It wasn’t that far, and she was ready to begin her investigation. She hadn’t been to Castle-on-Avon since she was a girl. No one would recognize her and she was anxious to discover what she might find out.

      Changing into a day dress of apricot muslin, and grabbing her shawl, straw bonnet and reticule, Corrie set off for the village.

      Six

      A blustery wind blew the fringes of her shawl, but her full skirts and petticoats kept her legs warm. Corrie was enjoying her walk along the trail more than she had expected, noticing how green the fields were, how the wildflowers seemed to dance in the breeze. She was shading her eyes to get a better view of the copse of trees on the horizon when she saw him, a tall male figure mounted on a huge black horse.

      Silhouetted against the sun, dressed in the sort of riding breeches and full-sleeved shirt he had worn yesterday, his hair tied back as before, the earl seemed out of time and place, as if he should have lived a hundred years ago.

      The moment he spotted her walking along the path, he turned the stallion and began a leisurely gallop in her direction. The beautiful horse effortlessly climbed the rise to where she stood, and the earl drew the animal to a halt a few feet away.

      “Mrs. Moss. I thought you would be spending the afternoon with Rebecca. Instead you are out for a stroll.” He smiled, but it didn’t look sincere. “You appear to be enjoying yourself.”

      “Why, yes I am.” The words came out in an embarrassingly breathy voice and she stiffened her spine. “Your sister-in-law was busy and I was glad for a chance to get a little exercise. It’s a bit windy, but the sun is warm, making it a perfect day for a walk in the countryside.”

      He frowned, his sleek black brows drawing together. “Where is your maid?” His voice held a hint of disapproval that sent her irritation up a notch.

      “The village isn’t that far, and need I remind you, my lord, I am a married woman.”