"Ready for some lunch?" Roddy asked, guiding his horse closer to Florian's. They'd been riding for two hours and they were both ready for a break. "There's a pub close by. The food is simple but delicious and I'll even throw in dessert."
"Sold," Florian replied with a laugh. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so relaxed in the company of a relative stranger. Despite Henri's teasing, Roddy was proving to be an informative and entertaining tour guide. He laughed easily and seemed to enjoy Florian's company.
The Striped Cat Pub was housed in a weather-beaten stone building, but the inside was warm and inviting with well-polished wood and a cheerful host who greeted Roddy by name and served them plates of the daily special without being asked. There was a basket of bread still warm from the oven to accompany the meat and potatoes and a good local ale.
"Sorry about that," Roddy said as their server walked over to a group of new arrivals. "Would you prefer something else?"
"Not at all," Florian assured him. "The food looks and smells delicious." He looked around at the eclectic décor and boisterous diners, taking it all in. "I've never been in a pub like this. It's almost like something from a novel."
"Don't you have a local?" Roddy asked, surprised. "I've been coming here since I was a lad. My father and I would ride the grounds much as you and I are doing, and we'd stop here for our lunch."
"I have a few favorite cafes, but nothing like this. I like it." Florian gave him a smile and picked up his fork. "Bon Appetit." Roddy took that as the hint it was meant to be and dug into his meal, not surprised to see that, although he was slender, Florian had a healthy appetite.
"I'm sure it can't compare to what you're used to, but their food is always good." Roddy laughed at Florian's emphatic agreement, delighted to see that Florian had managed to clear both his dinner plate and the plate of apple pie that followed.
"I don't think there's a need to compare. Good food transcends borders." Florian lifted his tankard and saluted his host. "Thank you for the excellent meal."
"You are most welcome." Roddy gave him a warm smile. "It's been a long time since I had the opportunity to show off my home. I admit that I'm biased, but I think it's beautiful."
"Perhaps a little biased," Florian teased, "but it is beautiful here. I could almost imagine living in a place like this. It's so peaceful."
"I'm glad that you like it." Roddy leaned in closer and lowered his voice, aware that he was surrounded by people he'd known all his life. They were good, hardworking souls but they could be a bit overprotective of him, especially since the accident that took his wife and child. "It makes asking this a bit easier."
Roddy cleared his throat, then took a swallow of ale as he watched Florian's easy, open manner shift to guarded in the blink of an eye. He'd learned some of Florian's history from Henri (and Noel) and a bit from the man himself, but the rapid transformation made Roddy choose his words more carefully than he might have a minute earlier.
"When I was eighteen, I had plans to travel Europe and possibly beyond before returning home to assume my responsibilities. My parents encouraged me and helped me choose what cities to visit and what distant relations I could see along the way. My first stop was a cousin's home in Belgium. I was there just three weeks when I received word that my father had taken ill. By the time I returned home, he was beyond hope. I assumed my title and responsibilities and never finished that trip." He leaned just a bit closer, urging Florian to understand the importance of what he was about to ask. "On the first of next month, I've decided I am finally going to finish what I started so long ago. I've spent too much time alone this past year and I can't bear the thought of being alone in foreign lands. I know we've just met, but I am hoping you would come with me and perhaps teach me a little French so I don't completely embarrass myself?"
Roddy knew the moment he'd asked the question that he'd muddled it. There was something unreadable in Florian's expression, and a feeling of distance that hadn't been there a moment earlier.
"Damn it all," he swore under his breath before blurting out anything he thought might fix his mistake. "Henri told me I should write it down; I've never been good at words. I mean that I want to see some of the places you've been and I'm hoping that you might be willing to be my guide. Formally. Expenses and a salary and all that; a job."
"We've only just met," Florian pointed out, a little of his reserve softening at Roddy's obvious discomfort.
"In person, but I've been hearing about you from soon after you took Noel in and protected him from his stepmother and her villains. Henri wrote me often and Noel's adventures with his Florian were always a highlight. I feel as if we are friends already."
"I… I'll consider your offer," Florian replied, pushing back from the table. "But first, I believe you were going to show me more of your estate?"
"I am indeed," Roddy took the hint and rose from his seat, waving at the publican as he led Florian out to their horses and held Florian's until his guest was safely mounted. Settling into his own saddle, Roddy guided his horse forward through the small village, pointing out the various shops before taking a left towards home. There was another hour's ride and Roddy dutifully played guide, but he let Florian set the tone of their conversation and fought the urge to fill in the long silences.
"Lord Wilhaven," a young man hurried to meet them as they returned to the stables at the end of their ride.
"What is it, Evers?" Roddy asked as he dismounted. He took the paper Evers offered and read it, frowning.
Florian dismounted and thanked the groom who would see to his horse. He patted the animal one last time and turned his attention to Roddy.
"Bad news?" Florian asked, unable to read his host's expression.
"More so for you than me, I'm afraid. Henri's great aunt is quite ill. He's taking Noel and they may be gone for several days. He's sent your luggage here, hoping that you don't mind my company until they return. You're welcome to stay at Henri's, but he was worried that you would be lonely."
"Henri mentioned that he had a relative in ill health." Florian said. His easy manner of a few hours ago was completely gone, replaced by rigid formality. "I apologize for imposing, but it appears that I am your guest for a few days."
"Nonsense," Roddy said with a laugh, "consider this a test run. It may help you decide if you can tolerate me well enough to be my traveling companion."
"I believe I already know the answer to that." Florian softened giving Roddy a smile that was small but genuine. Roddy was delighted to see it. He gestured grandly towards the house and set off at brisk pace, trusting Florian to keep up.
"Noel tells me you enjoy long baths," Roddy said as they neared the front door. "It's not exactly bribery, but there is a guest suite with a particularly nice tub. It's yours if you'll join me tonight at seven. A friend is coming from London to discuss business and he never leaves until I've fed him."
"I'd be glad to join you," Florian assured him. "As long as the tub is as nice as promised."
"It is," Roddy assured him. "Noel tested it and told me that you'd like it."
"Noel is an expert," Florian said with a laugh, remembering the epic bath-time sea battles they staged when Noel lived with him and Ray.
"He is indeed," Roddy agreed, but he wasn't talking about bathtubs.
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