They walked back to the parlour to join the ladies. Holbrook was in conversation with Kendall so Will walked with Dearne and Augustus.
“I’m thinking of riding first thing in the morning,” Augustus said as they walked. “Would you gentlemen care to join me?”
“How early?” Dearne said. “I am not an ‘early’ kind of a person,” he added with a laugh. Augustus sent him a fond look. “No different then?”
“Absolutely not.” Dearne turned to Will. “This boy used to plague the life out of me at the crack of dawn before I left for the army,” he said.
Augustus blushed and laughed as he brushed his dark hair out of his eyes. “Well, perhaps if we make it a little later. Mr. Marsden?” he said.
Will found himself grateful Augustus didn’t probe, or try and use his former name. “I would be happy to. Thank
