It might be wishful thinking on his part, but Merrick was almost certain Arabella sought to delay his departure and keep him at Winslette until approaching nightfall made traveling impossible. He poked his head inside a milking shed, noting the care and attention made to keep the stalls clean, and faced Arabella again. She gestured to the next structure and moved in that direction.

Their progress was steadily leading him far away from the house and his waiting carriage. Not that he minded spending even more hours in her company. Speaking with an intelligent woman who never once tossed out lures or flirtations was something of a rarity. And she’d been through a lot in the last days. If she felt safe in his company for the time being, he would be a fool to rush away from her if he was doing some good.

Back at the house, Holland would be fretting by now. They’d sent word to their married half sister to expect them tonight at her inn, and Holland simply hated letting anyone down. However, Merrick found the position he was in quite amusing. When he’d decided to return Arabella home, Holland had insisted on coming to act as a chaperone of sorts and to make good on a promise to their sister. Since Arabella had never once made allusions to intimacies between them, a chaperone hadn’t been necessary.

She was nervous though, and he suspected he knew the reason.

Farnsworth’s behavior still preyed on her mind.

Unfortunately, it preyed on his too. That Farnsworth had come to Wiltshire from London in search of Arabella was no small matter. He might have used the excuse of trespass to trounce the man, but there was always the possibility that he might return once he was gone. When she was easy again he’d return to London and make sure Farnsworth understood that he was not to contact Arabella except to discuss her pension, and then only through her solicitor. She was to be free of him or Merrick would finish their fight.

As the last building inspection was concluded, Arabella scanned the horizon. Ahead, he thought he detected what looked to be a small stream, and across from there a ruin of some sort. He could see nowhere to cross without getting wet, so he concluded his inspection might be over for the day.

Arabella noticed the direction of his gaze. “The ruins were once an old manor house, fallen into disuse long ago. There is a road, barely more than a deer track now, I suppose, leading to another roadway to the south. My late husband told me the house was quite unsafe and forbid anyone to go venturing there.”

“Well, if it’s forbidden, we will stay away.” He grinned. “Are there fish to be caught on the property?”

Arabella smiled too. “Why, yes. I believe there are. Do you enjoy the sport?”

“Not since I was a boy.” He smiled to himself. It was nice his company was wanted so badly that a woman seized on any topic of conversation to keep his interest. “Will you show me?”

Her blush returned. “Of course.”

Merrick could get used to seeing blushes every hour. Arabella wore them so charmingly. The grass was thick and clumped in this part of the property and he caught Arabella’s elbow to steady her as they walked to the stream. In closer proximity, he couldn’t help but notice that the exertion of the inspection was taking a toll on her stamina. The light sheen of perspiration on her forehead reminded him that a pause in their meanderings might be warranted. When the stream came into view, he directed her to the shade of a large tree near the water’s edge and settled her there.

He took a place himself a short distance away. “What is it you want, my dear, and do not say I must be acquainted with every blade of grass I have purchased.”

Instead of answering immediately, she hugged her knees to her chest. The posture reminded him that just a few nights ago she’d been frightened out of her wits by a man she trusted as a brother. She had placed her security in his lap and he would do well not to rush her to the confession he’d already guessed.

She was still afraid. Perhaps mortally. She might always have this fear. It might be that only when she was distracted did she not imagine Farnsworth’s assault.

Merrick plucked a blade of grass and ran it though his fingertips. “He has no right to come back. I made that very plain to him.”

“I believe you, but what if he guesses I was with you the entire time? He might make trouble for you. Tarnish your reputation. It would be very easy to have one of your servants confirm that you lied to him about my location these past days.”

She was worried about his reputation? Merrick had not thought it possible to admire her more, but he did. She was remarkable. “None of my servants would dare.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Holland would dismiss them immediately if they said one word that implicated him in scandal. His half brother had adopted the Ford motto of family first for his own. He’d rather not explain the real reasons for Holland’s loyalty or the others as yet. She’d be rather shocked that she’d been in the company of several bastard brothers these past days. “Because I can.”

“And if Farnsworth deduced on his own and makes trouble for us both?”

He shifted on the ground to face her. “Grayling should have the truth told to him so he is not surprised and can support you. Grayling will understand and ensure your reputation remains unblemished. The worst Farnsworth can say against me is nothing I haven’t heard before. I’ll survive it.”

She laid her head on her knees and stared into space. “I want to be here, but I fear what Farnsworth might do if he comes again.”

Merrick did not want to leave her in such a state, but it was the right thing to do. Every moment he spent alone in her company, regardless of their distance, put her reputation as a respectable lady in jeopardy. Arabella appeared largely unconcerned about that, he noticed. Yet Merrick couldn’t be. He had always held Arabella in the highest esteem, the model for all other women’s behavior. To imagine her brought low by false accusations pained him. Perhaps she was too caught up in her own concerns to notice the implied impropriety of them being together.

He’d have to watch out for both of them. “Speaking of Grayling, have you considered moving to Stanton Harold Hall as a guest until the matter is behind you? You may feel more secure there. His daughters and wife could be a welcome distraction to you and he could ensure Farnsworth stays away. I promise you the house will remain yours for as long as you wish, despite any absence.”

“I don’t wish to impose.”

Merrick pursed his lips. “You say that quite often. Why? I would not offer if I had any hesitations about such a suggestion.”

“Habit, I suppose.” She sighed softly and stretched out her legs before her. “When I was a little girl, my parents impressed on me the need to be compliant, and my husband was of the same mind. I never argued with any of their decisions and that made them happier.”

Merrick frowned at her words. Such a repression of her desires was unnatural. One of the Ford rules came to mind: always repay in kind. From Grayling, he knew she had brought the man’s wife into his orbit and sought to make a match of them. Surely they should not begrudge her aid now? “Friends expect to be imposed upon or they are not really friends at all, are they? It is a balance. Something given, something gained.”

A curious expression crossed her face and she peered at him. “You do not follow your own rules it seems.”

“How so?”

“I cannot imagine what you gain by your assistance to me. You have gone above and beyond the bounds of friendship to aid me. We were not very well acquainted in the beginning, were we?”

“I suppose I imagine I know you better than I actually do. Grayling speaks of you a great deal. I always thought you two would make a match, but you had paired him with someone else. That surprised me.” He grinned. “As for what I gained, my legs have gained the exercise of a walking hither and yon today, and I had the pleasure of throwing Farnsworth out on his backside. Both very pleasant activities, I assure you.”