[Previously: During an evening fencing practice in their secret tunnel, Cedric has told Jacques that he thinks Lavinia is the love of his life. Lavinia's wounded heart is responding more and more to the kindness and warmth she senses in Cedric. Will these two souls find a way to be together?]

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Lavinia looked for Cedric at the breakfast table the next morning but, once again, much to her disappointment, he didn't join them. She had looked forward to seeing him, to learning of his plans for the day, and to see if she might have a part in them, but his non-appearance had postponed her good intentions.

As she stood on the front steps watching the Fordney's coach drive away the Earl invited her to ride with him. Her father was beaming his approval, so she accepted the invitation as graciously as she could, but wished she could ride with his nephew instead. It was in a despondent frame of mind that she went upstairs to change into her riding habit.

When she reached the stables some thirty minutes later, she was surprised to see the place in a flurry of activity. In place of its habitual state of quiet industry, there seemed to be an extraordinary number of people running about or busily engaged upon some errand or chore. One sweating horse was being led away, while an elegant travelling coach was being pulled out of the carriage house. Two of the stable lads were holding a pair of matched bays, in preparation for harnessing them to this equipage, and other men were entering the stalls of yet two more horses. Off to one side, saddled and ready, the mounts Lavinia and her host often used for their rides were being held by Jack, the youngest stable lad, but the Earl's mind didn't appear to be on riding at the moment. Rather, he was talking to a man Lavinia had never seen before. This man's garments were coated with dust from the road, and he looked worried and tired, but more than that, it was obvious to Lavinia that he had been the bearer of bad news. And, from the sound of things, his lordship wasn't taking the news well.

In fact, Lavinia had never heard the Earl speak that way to anyone, nor had he ever looked that fierce before. For an instant, she was afraid--with a vague, afraid-of-the-dark kind of fear--but then the dusty man noticed her, and the Earl turned to see what the distraction could be. For just a second his cold, fierce eyes were trained on her and then his whole demeanour changed; he was once again his usual urbane and gracious self. He came forward, took her hand and bowed over it, apologising most sweetly for the disruption, excuses rolling off his cultured tongue.

He was deeply apologetic, but he would not be able to ride with her that day. Some bad news from London, he explained. One of his many "interests" needed his attention. Could she ever forgive him? He would be most grateful if she could.

A bit shaken by the expression she'd seen in his eyes, she dropped her own gaze so he would not perceive her dismay. Privately, Lavinia was perfectly willing to forgive him, especially since it meant she would not now have to ride with him. Out loud, however, she was able to accept his apology without a trace of relief in her voice and to even ask how long he would be absent from them.

"A few days only, I trust," he replied. "One of my fellows has made a rather stupid blunder, no more. I should be able to correct matters very soon, but I must be there in person to do so."

At that moment, Cedric rode into the yard from another direction and pulled up his horse, an expression of surprise upon his face at the sight of so much bustling about. Lucius noted his arrival, and saw this as an opportunity not only to make amends to Lavinia for having to cancel their ride together, but also as a way to publicly re-assert his authority over his nephew.

"Perhaps you will not have to forego your ride after all, mademoiselle. Excuse me for a moment." He walked in Cedric's direction, calling out his name in a rather imperious fashion that set Lavinia's teeth on edge. Cedric dismounted, but held onto the reins and moved to meet his uncle.

Lavinia, left standing alone once more, decided to bring Feather the carrot she'd brought for her. It gave her something to do and made her a part of the activity in the yard, instead of a mere bystander. Plus, from that vantage point, she could keep both Lucius and Cedric under discrete observation.

With this notion in mind, she strolled up to the black mare she usually rode and began breaking off pieces of carrot for her. Jack removed his cap at her approach, giving her a shy greeting as he touched his forelock. She acknowledged his salute in her usual friendly manner but she was distracted for, under the guise of petting the horse, she was watching the exchange between the two Laneworth men.

There appeared to be some tension between them, and she devoutly hoped it wasn't because Cedric did not want to take her riding. Beyond mere embarrassment there were her newly minted feelings for Cedric; feelings that were contained within a still fragile heart. For all the brave front she had presented to her father after Claude's treachery, his betrayal had wounded her deeply and left her not quite as sure of herself as she would have liked.

She turned her head, suddenly no longer so anxious to view Lucius and Cedric's conversation and noticed one of the stable lads--an older one who was unfamiliar to her--intently watching the Earl and Cedric. This was peculiar, as most of them seemed to be studiously ignoring the two gentlemen.

As if aware that he was being observed, the man looked in her direction. They stared at one another for just a moment then he touched his forelock and dropped his eyes respectfully, returning his attention to the bridle he was polishing.

Lavinia heard footsteps approaching and turned to see Lucius walking towards her.

"It is all arranged, mademoiselle. My nephew will escort you upon your ride this morning. I must notify my servant--there are arrangements to be made, plans to be altered--and take my leave of your father, so I will say 'adieu' now. I hope to once again have the pleasure of your company before too many days have passed."

She curtsied slightly and thanked him for his attention to her comfort. Accepting this graciously, he bowed low over her hand and kissed it, then moved quickly towards the house, gesturing for the dusty stranger to follow him.

Jack offered Feather's reins to Lavinia and began to lead the Earl's horse back to its stable. Henry Coachman climbed aboard the carriage to drive it to the front door, there to await his master's pleasure. Grooms and other lads scurried off to various tasks and even the nosey bridle-polisher seemed to have found something else to do. The bustle all died away suddenly, leaving only Cedric and Lavinia, facing one another across a short expanse of cobbles.