An Earl by Any Other Name(11)

Lost in thought, she didn't immediately realize she was being a poor companion to him. A lady of good breeding would never let herself get lost in thought in the presence of her future host. She glanced at Leo and discovered he was watching her when not checking the road ahead.

"And your father? How did he meet my mother?"

"At the same event. She seemed to enjoy discussing his paper."

Leo's bark of laughter made her frown. "The newspaperman. Mother mentioned he was coming and is quite looking forward to it."

She hoped her father had the good sense to follow the instructions Lady Hampton gave him and not betray Ivy's true identity by mentioning her mother and Ivy's past at Hampton.

Ivy shivered, now feeling the chill in the air, and rubbed her arms.

"There's a lap rug beneath the seat." His hand bumped into hers as they both reached for it.

"My apologies," he murmured, and withdrew his hand. Ivy's gloved fingers brushed over the blanket. She hastily arranged it over her lap and legs, feeling instantly warmer.

"Thank you, my lord."

He merely nodded. The Stanley rattled and bounced worse than a coach on the road. After a few minutes, Leo spun the wheel and turned onto a gravel drive that stretched toward a massive manor house in the distance.

Hampton.

The vision of it always stole her breath. The tan stones were warm in the September sun and afternoon light glinted off the windowpanes. Fir trees dotted the open grounds in patches like spikes of deep green paint across a lighter emerald canvas. She had forgotten how vast the house was and how beautiful. 

Nature blended with the house and the gardens, making it a private world where anything seemed possible. Memories of early morning mists curling around the grounds like milky tendrils stirred within her. She used to chase the peacocks across the lawn with Old John, Leo's old butterscotch-colored cocker spaniel, the dog nipping at the thousand-eyed plumed tail feathers of the ill-tempered birds. Old John had always been called that for as long as she could remember. Had he ever been Young John? She hadn't thought to ask. The silliness of her thoughts made her smile. Hampton had a way of reminding her of being a child again, in small ways that made her heart tighten in her chest. Like dancing rainbows in the library caught from a spinning diamond chandelier, or digging in the cool soil to plant seeds with the ancient gardener, Mr. Matthews.

A little sigh escaped Ivy as she thought of all the hours she'd spent there, the minutes ticking away, never knowing her mother would soon die and she'd lose part of herself forever. Or that she'd lose Hampton forever. Yet here she was, sitting in an automobile with Leo, coming home.





Chapter 4



The sunlight slanted through the trees, sending shadows across the lawn and the gravel drive as they approached the house. In the late summer those shadows would thicken into pools providing reprieve from heat for guests during garden parties.

When Leo's motorcar pulled up to the main entrance, a dark chocolate blur streaked across the open lawn toward them. Leo parked and leapt out, greeting what appeared to be an energetic spaniel. Definitely not Old John. He ruffled his hands through the dog's fur and it barked and jumped at his legs.

"Easy, lady, easy. Sit."

Ivy pushed up on the seat to see the dog sitting perfectly still, waiting for Leo's next command.

He placed a small piece of biscuit on the tip of her nose. "Wait, wait … " He smiled. "Eat up!" He laughed as the dog flipped her nose up and caught the treat.

Leo turned back to Ivy. "This is Ladybird, Miss Leighton. I apologize if her exuberance is overwhelming. Most ladies do not appreciate her. I simply can't imagine life without her, or any dog really." The indulgent smile he gave Ladybird made Ivy's knees weak.

She laughed. Ladybird was a sweetheart, and Ivy couldn't imagine not liking her. She had a soft spot for animals, dogs especially.

"She's a beauty, my lord. A dog with spirit is a perfect dog."

His eyes darkened, and he gazed at her for a long moment. She didn't dare breathe, but just stared back at him. The soul peering at her through his eyes was the young man she remembered. So he hadn't vanished after all.

"I agree." A crooked grin split his face, and he looked like a mischievous boy ready to steal tarts from the kitchen. That glimpse of the old Leo, the one who'd stolen her heart, made her breath quicken. He came around to her side, opening the door for her, and offered her a hand. She took it and let him help her out, enjoying the touch of their palms even though she wore gloves.

Two footmen collected her valise and coat before dashing off. Ivy wondered where the butler was but didn't ask.

"This way." Leo ushered her inside.

It was a strange sensation coming in through the front door after all these years. It still felt like home. Motes of sunlight stretched through the high windows, alighting on the main staircase's gleaming wooden banisters. Every nook and cranny contained memories of her early childhood and her mother. Her heart clenched, and she bit her lip.