“That is how you were able to look at the drawing and know there was a problem, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, if the drawing is properly to scale.”

She nodded, her eyes wandering back to her plans.

“Do you have a tutor for your son?” That was a question that had not come from his list, either.

“Not yet. I have been teaching him myself, but I have reached the end of what I can offer when it comes to many subjects. He is of an age where he should go off to school, but that is not,” she hesitated, “possible.”

Gareth wondered why that was. Money? Emotional attachment? Naturally he did not ask.

“He will meet us at the stables after finishing his breakfast in the schoolroom. I’ve told him this is not a holiday, but an opportunity to learn. I believe he will greatly appreciate the calculations that go into building a dam. Besides,” she smiled, “he was delirious with joy when he heard there was a horse waiting for him.”

Gareth looked down at his plate, his stomach tight. He was glad to have pleased the boy—he had liked his quiet, thoughtful way immediately. But he did not wish to be the recipient of effusive gratitude from either Oliver or his mother.

He pushed back his chair with a loud scrape. “If you will excuse me, I’ve forgotten something I meant to take care of.” He bowed. “I will meet you at the site.” He turned before she could answer, nodding to the footman who opened the door and facilitated his escape. He knew his behavior was rude, but he did not wish to be trapped in the stables and forced to endure an emotional scene. Just the thought of facing such a situation made him feel ill. He realized he hadn’t eaten much and knew that might be part of it. He tended to forget food when either immersed in thought or some other interesting activity. How interesting that he’d forgotten about eating in the woman’s presence. He could not recall that happening before.

***

Serena half-expected Mr. Lockheart not to be at the dam when they arrived. She couldn’t help wondering if she had said something to drive him away. But she’d gone over her words a dozen times in the past half hour and had come up with nothing—at least nothing rude or offensive. And she knew he liked Oliver, so it couldn’t have been that he would be joining them. No, the man was an enigma.

The horses he’d brought for Serena and her son were by far some of the finest they’d ever ridden. Thanks to the generosity of his grandparents, Oliver had been riding since before he was breeched.

Serena had ridden a lot as a girl, mostly her mountain pony and astride. On a side saddle she was an adequate rider, but she took no great joy in the activity, only in the sense she was able to get from one point to another that much quicker.