"I noticed their interactions recently, and I suspect they will not be agreeable to extending their betrothal for any length of time."
"Considering I felt the same way barely a month ago, I will not offer any objections. If they decide to set the date soon, I shall extend my blessings."
"I have never understood the point of a betrothal. If you have already come to an agreement with the lady as well as her father, why have any delay at all?"
"I suppose it's in order to make the wedding preparations, as well as settle any other matters women feel the need to."
"Yes. Their little frivolities must be taken into consideration," Greyson agreed, brushing his thumb and forefinger along his jaw.
Richard studied his friend's thoughtful expression and felt positive the man was planning something. Greyson was meticulous, and Richard silently wished his friend luck in whatever venture he decided to undertake. He was a good man who had been dealt a bad hand of cards, and he deserved happiness like the rest of them.
"Now that our business is settled, we should check on the ladies. They are no doubt at a loss without us." Richard put his hands on his desk as he lifted himself out of the chair.
Greyson nodded and followed suit. The two men headed out to join the other guests for breakfast. Loud voices could be heard as they made their way to the dining room, and Richard was pleased the guests were already enjoying themselves.
Once he entered the room, he felt as though he had been struck in the chest by the blindingly beautiful smile Brianna bestowed upon him. He had risen early and left before she awoke, so he didn't have an opportunity until now to determine her mood. She had not appeared this happy in quite a while, and he felt pleased to have been the one to make her so.
"Good morning," Richard announced brightly and accepted the well wishes from the assembled guests.
"Is everything prepared for the hunt today?" Jonathan asked as Richard settled into his seat with his plate.
"Yes. I approved the details just this morning."
"I'm anxious to demonstrate my superior skills." Jonathan's teasing grin fastened on Brianna. When he winked at her, Richard instantly felt his fingers tighten on his fork, but he willed himself to relax. He knew his friend meant no harm, but if Richard found out otherwise, it would be Jonathan he hunted this afternoon.
"We will be lost without you gentlemen today." Elizabeth turned her love-stricken gaze to Winsler.
Richard shook his head at the concerned look his mother shot in Winsler's direction following Elizabeth's confession.
"Nonsense," his mother chimed in. "We shall be perfectly content in their absence."
Her concern proved unnecessary as Winsler only appeared to be aware of Elizabeth, and was obviously pleased by her statement. If they had their say, Richard imagined the day would be filled with wedding plans.
The meal passed in idle chatter, and then the guests went their separate ways to prepare for the activities of the day. Brianna was the only one who held back, and by the looks she cast him, she wished for him to stay as well.
"Richard, could I have a word with you?" she asked after the last person left the room.
"Would you care to join me in my study, or would you prefer to speak here?"
"The study would be perfect." She beamed up at him. Since her mood remained jovial, he wondered what she wished to speak to him about that would require privacy.
After leading her to the study, he allowed her to precede him as he closed the door.
"What would you care to discuss?" he asked as he crossed the room. Leaning on the edge of his desk, he crossed his ankles and gave Brianna his full attention.
"I have decided where I would like to take Grace today, so I'm here to ask your permission," she said the last word as if it were distasteful to her.
Immediately he understood her need for privacy. Although she was obviously displeased with having to ask, he didn't feel the necessity of requiring her to obtain permission was unreasonable.
"Where are you planning to go?"
"I thought it would be nice to take Grace to the stream you took me to a week ago."
"I have a better idea. Why do you not choose another location to go today, and I'll take you both there at a later date. Preferably when we have fewer guests." He hated denying her, particularly when she was making an effort to appease him. However, there was no way he could allow her to go so far unescorted. Putting aside the less likely situations, she could get lost even while following clear instructions.
"I would much rather take her there myself. We will not go anywhere else, and I promise to return at the first sign of danger."
"You could get lost, either on the way there or coming back. The majority of the terrain appears the same if you don't know what you are looking for. It would be too easy to make a wrong turn."
"We can follow the stream. I'll begin at the mill and keep to the water. Then once we are done with our visit, we will take the same way back," Brianna assured.
She had obviously taken the time to perfect her argument before approaching him.
"That would not be easy or practical with the wagon, and I will not have you on horseback in your condition," he said.
"Then we will take the wagon as far as we can, and stop there."
"I can't have you two going out alone in unfamiliar territory. The rain the past few days has moistened the ground, and a wheel could easily get stuck."
"Please, Richard. I know I can do it without any harm to myself, Grace, or the wagon. The sun this morning surely dried up anything that could pose a problem, and I'll avoid any potential pitfalls."
"I will not allow it," Richard proclaimed, his tone final. "There are many beautiful places nearby that the two of you could visit."
Although her points were valid, he could not have his wife wandering around the countryside unescorted. Not only did he fear for her safety, but it was not proper behavior for a marchioness.
"But-"
"No!" he bellowed, his voice ringing throughout the room.
Brianna shrank back from him, but he could not allow himself to regret his tone. It was time she learned that as her husband he would be obeyed, not argued with.
"Yes, my lord," she whispered, and then fled the room without looking back.
He knew he angered her, but before long she would forgive him and return to her wild antics. Sighing, he circled around his desk and sank into the chair cushions. He closed his eyes, not wanting to think about Brianna or the ache he felt knowing he upset her.
Opening his eyes, he looked down at the papers on his desk in disgust. He knew once the old paperwork was handled, his job would be much easier going forward. There was over an hour before the hunt would begin, and he had no desire to see anyone at the moment. Selecting one of the papers, he forced himself to concentrate on the words, hoping to keep his mind occupied.
The knock at the door startled him. Glancing at his pocket watch, he noted that not more than thirty minutes had passed since he sat down. Settling back into his chair, he granted the visitor entrance.
As the door swung open he worked hard to keep the surprise off his face. Lady Grace's governess, Miss Ashley, stood in the doorway. He never had an occasion to speak more than a few words to the girl, and he wondered what could possibly have brought her here now.
"I-I'm sorry to bother y-you, Lord Stonemede," she stammered, stopping only inches into the room. "I was sent to find Lady Brianna, and I believed her to be here."
"Has she not returned to the drawing room to join the other guests?" he asked, concern clouding his voice. Had she disobeyed him and taken Lady Grace to the stream?
"No, I searched the rooms downstairs but didn't find her."
He stood so quickly his chair nearly toppled over. Steadying the frame with his hand, he took a moment to calm his anger before speaking. "Is Lady Grace missing as well? I understand it was my wife's intention to take her sister on an outing."
"It was Lady Grace who asked me to locate Lady Brianna for her."
"Have you spoken with Harris, the butler? Typically he is helpful in locating people."
"I did talk with him before seeking you out. He was not informed of her whereabouts, but he did tell me no one has left the manor."
"I'll find her. Don't worry," Richard assured, although, strangely, the girl looked far from worried.
Leaving her standing in his study, Richard set off to check the marchioness' chambers. Considering Miss Ashley didn't mention checking upstairs, he hoped to easily find Brianna.
Climbing up the stairs two at a time, he hurried to her door. Grasping the door handle, he was relieved to find it locked. She was inside. Knowing she had a reason for isolating herself, he refrained from going through his bedchamber and entering unannounced. Lifting his hand, he rapped his knuckles on the door.