The Countess’s Groom
October 1762: Part One
Will Fenmore, horse groom to the young Countess of Malmstoke, watched his mistress as Creed Hall came into view. The Hall crouched on the crest of the hill, a grim building of gray stone with narrow windows and a frowning roof, surrounded by dark trees.
The countess’s hands tightened on the reins. The mare slowed from a trot to a walk, and then halted.
Will halted, too.
The countess’s cheeks had held a flush of color while they’d cantered; now they were parchment pale. Will saw tension in her shoulders, tension in the rigidity of her jaw.
One more night, he told her silently. You can do it.
The countess didn’t move.
The seconds lengthened into a minute.
Will wanted to reach out and touch her, grip her arm, tell her that she had the stren
