Chapter 6 #2
Before he could call out, warn her that the lake was deep and Lucifer had no experience of swimming, she patted the stallion's neck and they plunged in. He kicked Rufus into action fully expecting to have to dive in to save her but again he'd underestimated her courage and ability.
Lucifer was enjoying the experience as much as she was. In seconds his horse was swimming strongly towards the other side of the lake. James laughed – he enjoyed a swim himself but he was damned if he was going to ruin his garments.
He dropped to the grass, untacked his horse and removed every stitch of his clothing. After wrapping his hand in the chestnut's mane for the second time he vaulted onto Rufus's back.
'Right, let's see if you enjoy swimming as much as your stablemate.'
The gelding had seen Lucifer and was eager to catch up with him. Sofia finally realised she wasn't alone and calmly turned her mount in a wide circle so she could see him. James had deliberately stripped off intending to shock her, she deserved to be shaken after the fright she'd given him.
'James, isn't this the most excellent fun? I suppose I should have removed all my clothing as you have as I'm going to be extremely uncomfortable on the return journey.'
'Thank God you didn't, one of us in the buff is quite bad enough.' Her joy was infectious and he joined in her laughter. 'Shall we see which is faster in the water?'
'Oh yes please. Shall we race to the far side of the lake?
I think we're less likely to be seen by any of your staff so far away from the house.
' Then she pulled a face which made her even more attractive.
'Although I'm beginning to believe your household runs by magic as I've seen only one footman and one stableboy since I arrived. '
He guided Rufus alongside. 'Are you ready?'
She didn't answer but leaned forward and urged the stallion on. Within seconds they were ahead of him and she won by several yards. Lucifer scrambled out of the water almost unseating her, but she remained on his back laughing all the time.
He didn't join her on the bank. He was regretting his decision to swim unclothed and was relieved that his lower half was not on the view.
She wasn't aware that the thin cotton of her shirt was clinging to her breasts showing every enticing curve quite clearly.
This meant that even if he'd wished to, he couldn't possibly emerge from the water.
'I'll return the way I came, for obvious reasons, Sofia. I suggest that you go directly to the stables. I'll bring your things and the saddle back with me.'
She nodded and carefully kept her gaze averted. 'I intended to do that; I'm not a numbskull. I'll see you at dinner, sir, I've no intention of missing that. Your housekeeper failed to provide us with any refreshments and we've not eaten since breakfast.'
Then she was gone, Lucifer eager to return to the warmth of his stall was soon galloping across the acre of grass. The fact that she was riding bareback appeared to make no difference to her, she was as solid this way as she'd been in the saddle.
He dressed quickly, embarrassed now that he'd done something so stupid. She was an innocent girl; he knew better than to have behaved like this. He dried himself on her discarded waistcoat and coat as she'd not need them again.
He then rubbed his horse down as putting the saddle on a wet horse was asking for saddle sores.
He tied her boots together, put her clothes around them knotting the sleeves to keep the bundle secure.
This time he mounted by lowering a stirrup iron.
Having the heavy saddle over one arm and a bundle of clothing and boots under the other meant he was riding with little control.
'Right, Rufus, let's get you back to your stable.'
The horse somehow sensed his master wasn't as secure as he might be and allowed himself to be guided by knees alone.
James had much to think about as he cantered back but what bothered him most wasn't her reckless borrowing of his stallion but the fact that Bedford had failed in her duties by not providing luncheon for the girls.
He arrived at the stables, tossed the saddle to a waiting groom and dropped to the ground.
There was no need for him to express his anger that the horses had been left unattended thus allowing Sofia to risk her life.
The fulminating look he gave those waiting nervously was enough for now.
He'd deal with them when he'd dealt with everything else.
His hair was dripping onto his collar. Instead of summoning his housekeeper immediately he decided to return to his apartment and restore his appearance.
His valet, Jenkins, behaved as if there was nothing untoward about his dishevelled and damp appearance. Freshly garbed in dark blue topcoat, snowy white shirt and grey waistcoat James was ready to do battle.
The two footmen that had vanished earlier from their positions in the hall must have heard him coming for they were standing to attention as if they were soldiers waiting to be inspected by their captain.
'Have Bedford attend me in my study directly,' he barked at the nearest.
There was no necessity for him to repeat his orders. They were always obeyed instantly and to the letter. He wasn't a demanding master, preferred not to see any of them. As long as the house was kept immaculate, his meals were served on time, he'd no complaints.
He left the door open and remained standing. What he intended to say to his housekeeper would be brief and to the point. Scarcely a minute or two after issuing his order she arrived in a rustle of bombazine. She curtsied but didn't seem nervous.
'You wish to see me, my lord?'
His expression was arctic. He left her standing for a few moments before speaking.
'If you ever treat members of my family with such disrespect again you will be dismissed without reference. Do I make myself quite clear?'
Something flashed in his housekeeper's eyes that gave him pause. She wasn't cowed by his reprimand and that was odd. She had been in situ when he'd inherited the title, as had the butler and most of the staff. As they were efficient, he'd seen no need to make changes.
'Well? I'm waiting for your response.'
'I wasn't aware that I had treated the young ladies with disrespect. I beg your pardon, my lord, but what is it they've complained about?'
'Why did you not provide them with refreshments when they arrived? Why did you not greet them and personally escort them to their rooms?'
'They did not ask for any, my lord. I was busy about my duties and did not feel it necessary to abandon them for so slight a reason.'
This was the outside of enough. The woman was being deliberately obstructive and her days as housekeeper here were over.
'You are impertinent. You are dismissed from Avon Court. You will leave here first thing tomorrow.'
Finally, the wretched woman showed some emotion. 'You cannot dismiss me for so flimsy a reason, my lord. I've been employed here for a decade and a half, have given my life to this family and have had no complaints until today.'
'I can dismiss you for no reason at all. The fact that you think it wise to argue in so insolent a way just reinforces my decision.' He turned his back on her and waited until he heard her footsteps clattering back the way she'd come.
He walked to the door and yelled for one of the footmen who came running. 'Fetch Foster.'
He paced his study not exactly regretting his hasty action but wondering if his house could function efficiently without a housekeeper to keep things in order.
Foster had also been butler here in his father's time so might well be outraged at his summary dismissal of the woman he'd been working alongside for possibly fifteen years or more.
His butler, despite having been running the house for so long, wasn't an old man. He was of middle age, upright, his grey hair thick and healthy, his eyes sharp with intelligence.
'My lord, might I be admitted to speak first?'
James nodded.
'Mrs Bedford is not popular with the staff; they live in perpetual terror of being dismissed for no reason. As you appeared happy with her performance it wasn't my part to inform you.'
'Was it not? I'm disappointed, Foster, that you have chosen to ignore what you knew to be wrong rather than speak to me about it. Things are going to be different here now and if you wish to stay in my employ you won't disappoint me a second time. I hope you understand.'
Foster smiled which was unexpected. 'I'm just relieved, my lord, that you haven't dismissed me too.
I give you my word that this house will continue to run efficiently with or without a housekeeper.
I'll take charge of Mrs Bedford's duties.
I can assure you that the female staff will be overjoyed that she's gone and rather than being in disarray without her, I believe you'll find that this house will be calmer and happier. '
This was the longest speech he'd ever heard the man make. 'Good, it appears that we understand each other. There will be another housekeeper eventually but if you can keep things running smoothly until then there's no urgency.'
He'd no intention of telling his butler that he hoped his sister and her family would be joining him. If Charlotte came then it would be her task to take over the running of the house and appoint or dismiss staff.
Satisfied he'd dealt with one problem he now had to deal with another which was going to be far more difficult. He couldn't allow Sofia to escape without punishment, but he'd no notion what this should be.