That part of the house was over three hundred years old, with the drafts to prove it. In summer, however, it was pleasant enough, with magnificent views over the countryside and down to the village. She could see Oxley and his entourage for miles before they reached the gatehouse.She'd not expected him to come at all. Surely Slade had said it to tease her. Or perhaps he was in earnest and it was Oxley who was joking, by pretending to come when in fact he had no such intention. Yet here he was, riding on his beautiful white horse, dressed in crimson and black with a crimson hat, six servants in tow. They were met by the Slade servants and immediately a flurry of activity surrounded the earl as his vast amount of luggage was offloaded from the cart and carried inside. Oxley himself was met by Slade. The two greeted each other formally. Then Oxley suddenly looked up at her with those ice-blue eyes, as if he knew she'd been there all along, watching him.She stepped back from the window and pressed a hand to her thumping heart.
