by Aileen Fish
“My, it sounds striking. I wonder if I could find the right shade of gold silk for a turban to match the topaz pendant my dear husband left me. What do you think? A matching gown and hat to draw out the amber in the stones.”
Joanna grinned. They enjoyed seeing who could design the more outrageous costume. “I wish Mama would allow me to wear red. I would dress in it from head to toe, with ermine at the sleeves and around the train. Do you think I should borrow Mama’s rubies or emeralds to wear with it?”
Mr. Lumley coughed beside her. She smiled at him. “What do you think? Should I have a red gown made this Season? Or wait until winter?”
He cleared his throat. “If a red gown would make you feel like a Diamond in the Water, I say you should have it.”
She tipped her head and studied his eyes. Was he laughing at her or with her? “Very well. I shall ask Mama to take me to Bond Street tomorrow. Will you come, too, Aunt? You may inquire if they have gold satin in stock.”
Just when Joanna was running out of inane conversation, Lord Westbourne took his leave, promising to call on Aunt Ophelia soon. Joanna turned away and covered her mouth with her hand to contain the laughter bubbling up. Too late, she realized she was practically nuzzling Mr. Lumley’s shoulder. The crisp scent of his soap filled her nostrils.
Joanna sobered instantly, and lifted her gaze. He looked down at her, his nostrils flaring briefly. She quickly flung open her fan and brought it between them, fluttering away the heat that overtook her. That motion only brought another wave of his fragrance to her. Her shoulder brushed against his firm chest, making her hands itch to explore the muscle there.
What was she thinking? Her thoughts became so wicked when he was around. Another wave of warmth overtook her.
Mr. Lumley’s mouth pulled back on one side. “Yes, red becomes you.”
The music started up. She straightened her shoulders. “I believe this is your set, sir.” She took his arm and followed him to the center of the room. He looked so handsome tonight, although his dark green waistcoat and black jacket were nothing unusual for him. The wave in his hair had been tamed, the chestnut color slightly darker in the light from the multitude of candles and lamps than when they stood in the bright sunshine. His eyes looked more golden than green, burning with some emotion she couldn’t name.
That heated glow caressed her, sent ripples through her middle. She had to tear her gaze away for fear of bursting into flames in the middle of the dance floor. Besides, everyone was bound to see the way they held each other during long, passionate looks. She didn’t need to be the object of gossip and innuendo. It was bad enough Mr. Lumley and Sir Frederick had been so close to blows in front of everyone. She couldn’t let her own behavior be called into question.
Yet her smile must have touched each ear, she was so happy dancing with Mr. Lumley. This was what she’d hoped for from her Season. This was what she wanted in her life.
After their set, they joined Lady Hannah and Trey for a brief walk outside. The cooler air made Joanna aware of how damp she’d become while dancing. She shivered as a breeze danced across the bare skin of her back above her gown.
“Are you cold? We can go back inside,” Mr. Lumley offered.
“The cold is refreshing, actually. I’d prefer we remain out here.”
“Then we shall.” He led their group to a stone bench and motioned for the ladies to sit.
Lady Hannah tucked a lock of hair into the twist on the back of her head. “You are so lucky your brother doesn’t accompany you to these affairs, Lady Joanna.”
She laughed. “I should think the guaranteed dance partners would be a boon.”
“It’s embarrassing to have to dance with one’s brothers. Everyone knows who they are, so everyone knows you had no other offers to dance.”
“But it allows you to demonstrate your grace, so others might see and wish to stand up with you.” Oh, dear, she sounded just like her mother.
“I suppose.” Lady Hannah sighed. “By now, the gentlemen should know who I am, and watched me dance at every assembly and ball. I don’t understand why I’ve so few offers.”
Trey piped up. “Perhaps they also saw the scowling watchdog hovering nearby.”
Mr. Lumley growled. “I do not hover.”
Joanna laughed. “But you do not dispute the growling watchdog claim?”
“I am an elder brother. I have a duty to watch over my siblings.”
“I do not see you observing Trey’s partners between sets. Don’t you worry about him?” Joanna didn’t feel the need to hide her flirting from his siblings.
Mr. Lumley looked up at his younger, slightly taller, brother. “I worry more for his partners, than about them.”
Trey punched Mr. Lumley in the arm and they all laughed. Joanna enjoyed seeing how they acted with each other. They were so close. And seeing Mr. Lumley’s concern for his sister was touching. Did Robert worry about her in that way? He almost never accompanied her in the evening, and when he spoke of her finding a husband, his role in it sounded more like a duty than a concern.
Mr. Lumley truly cared for his sister’s safety. He’d never consider an offer from the likes of Sir Frederick.
Joanna realized her friends were preparing to return to the ballroom. She rose and took Mr. Lumley’s arm. She wished she could see into the future and know if Mr. Lumley would make an offer for her. She couldn’t imagine marrying anyone else.
Chapter Sixteen
David arranged for a picnic on the Friday before he was due to leave for Bridgethorpe Manor. Hannah was disappointed to learn she and Trey would be the only other people invited, but he’d insisted he needed time with Lady Joanna without all the interruptions a larger party provided.
Hannah smiled knowingly. “Oh, I understand.”
“Don’t read too much into this. I’m still not certain where I stand with her.”
“Take a measure of advice from your little sister, then. Your picnic will be much more enjoyable if you sit with her.”
Waving an arm in a pretense of hitting her, David fought not to laugh. He’d arranged for a meal to be prepared and the basket loaded into his curricle, along with some pillows, and a carpet to sit on. He made certain a nice bottle of wine and stemmed glasses were included.
After handing Lady Joanna into the curricle, David drove to Richmond Park. Trey and Hannah rode in a second curricle, and their servants traveled in a cart with the supplies. The park was a short distance from London, and the rolling meadows were an escape from the city. He followed a path to one of the ponds and chose a spot under a tree where they could sit. They disembarked, and the servants set up the picnic.
“This is lovely.” Lady Joanna spread her arms and spun on her toes, taking in the scenery. “Look, there are deer.”
David glanced where she pointed. “It’s difficult to imagine we’re so close to the noise of the city, isn’t it?”
“We should—that is, I should come riding here one day. I imagine there are no rules against galloping here.” Her cheeks flushed, and he was pleased to hear her slip and let him know she thought of them as a couple.
He looked in the distance, where a pair of horseback riders loped up a gentle rise. “It appears not.”
Hannah also looked in that direction. “What fun. It would be like being home at Bridgethorpe.”
The carpet, spread under a tree, held the baskets and a pile of pillows. David motioned for Lady Joanna to join him on the carpet. “Are you hungry? My father’s cook outdid herself and will be very concerned if we return with any of this food.” He unwrapped some cheese and located the knife to cut a piece.
Kneeling nearby, Lady Joanna looked over the tins and bundles. “She must have imagined you invited a much larger party. How are we to eat so much?” She gracefully rolled to sit on one hip, her legs curled close.
“Perhaps we can take a turn around the pond later and work up our appetites for a second meal.”
“I should have to dance all night to
be that hungry. But it looks delicious, so I’ll at least sample everything.”
“That should satisfy the cook. Would you care for some lemonade?”
After he poured their drinks, they ate and made small talk. Surprisingly, Hannah and Trey ate without joining in the conversation. David made a mental note to thank them later.
Birds sang in a stand of trees nearby and the tension in David’s muscles melted away. He hadn’t realized just how relaxing it was to be outdoors in a quiet setting. He spent so much time in the paddocks at Fernleigh, it was just a natural part of his day. “Are you outdoors with the horses much when you are in Hampshire?”
“As much as I can be. Mother insists I spend a good portion of my day behaving as a lady should. I easily escaped her notice, though, and put Patriot through his paces each day. I often rode one or two of the other colts around the paddocks. If I had my way, I would spend my entire day with the horses.”
He nodded. “It doesn’t seem fair we have to do those other things, like eating and sleeping.”
Laughing, she agreed. “It’s quite inconvenient, isn’t it? Although I imagine the horses need their rest, too.”
“I’m lucky my father has Fernleigh.” David leaned back on one arm. “I can’t imagine what I’d have done if I’d been required to find work. Managing Fernleigh isn’t work, it’s a joy. Trey seems to feel that way about his law studies. While I’m happy for him, I just can’t imagine spending the day with my nose pressed to a page as I scribbled proceedings.”
“No, I can see where that would be dull, although some of the cases must be quite interesting.”
Hannah rose from the carpet. “I’m going to walk by the pond.” Trey followed when she walked off.
Lady Joanna nibbled like a mouse at her piece of cheese, and David popped a strawberry covered in cream into his mouth. “Tell me something about you.”
Her brow creased. “Like what? Hmm. I love horses.”
“No, something I don’t know. Something no one else knows.”
She peered at him from the corner of her eye, and he wondered if she trusted him with such intimate knowledge. They knew each other so little, yet entire lifetimes had been born of such short acquaintance. She lowered her hand to her lap. A small grin pulled at her lips. “I hate peas.”
He burst out laughing. “Now we are getting somewhere. I love peas, but hate turnips.”
“We are in agreement there. I love the color green and hate red. It’s so bold.”
“But what of your ermine and red silk gown?” he teased. “Weren’t you and your aunt to shop for such a garment?”
“Oh, I’d forgotten. Maybe I’ll discover a quiet red.”
“I believe that would be pink,” he suggested.
“I look horrid in pink. I was thinking more of mauve. I believe I could tolerate mauve.”
“The blessings of being a man. I may wear black and navy and never look unfashionable or pretentious.”
Lady Joanna nodded. “Robert is much the same in his wardrobe choices. Very safe, unadventurous.”
So she thought him safe. That was a promising sign. Or did safe equal dull in her mind? “Safe and unadventurous are not the qualities of a good horse breeder. Perhaps I need a red waistcoat.”
She turned to contemplate him. “I cannot imagine you being afraid to take a risk with your stable. You seem to have the ability to know what risks are worth taking.”
He smiled and tipped his head. “I thank you for the compliment.”
“I didn’t mean it as flattery. I’ve seen the skill in you. A good quality to have in your type of work.”
Noticing she’d stopped eating, David rose. “Shall we take a turn about the pond?” He held out his hand to her.
“Thank you.” She brushed the wrinkles from her skirt and took his arm.
David kept their pace slow, to keep the distance between them and his siblings. How pleasant it was to stroll beside her like this, an easy, relaxed moment where they had no duty but to enjoy the time together. He inhaled deeply. “Even the air is nicer here.”
“Nicer than the paddocks? Why yes, I must agree.” She slanted him a playful look, her eyes crinkled in the corner.
“I was comparing it to Town, but you are correct, as always.”
“I like that, ‘correct as always,’” she echoed. “How good of you to notice.”
“I fear with my upbringing, I would never say anything to the contrary, no matter how erroneous a lady might be.”
Her lower lip jutted out. “Is that so? And here I thought you so intelligent for recognizing one of my better qualities.”
He turned his head and caught her gaze, his laughter fading as his body warmed. The sunlight fell on her face, bathing her porcelain skin with golden light. He swallowed. “You have many good qualities that haven’t escaped my notice, my lady.”
Her lips parted. David stopped walking, pulling his arm from hers and taking her hand. She hadn’t put her gloves back on after eating. “Your fingers are so soft. Long and slender.” He stroked her skin there, and her hand trembled. Raising his head, he watched her tongue swipe across her lower lip.
He groaned under his breath and lowered his mouth to hers. She met him partway, kissing him back. She clutched his arms as if to steady herself, and he grabbed her shoulders to pull her body against his.
She tasted of the apple slices she’d eaten, sweet and intoxicating. When her lips parted, he almost let his tongue explore, but feared frightening her. Instead, he kneaded his mouth against hers, taking as much as she offered and treasuring it.
He pulled away, suddenly remembering they weren’t alone. “I should not have done that.”
“I’m glad you did.” Lady Joanna smiled, her cheeks becoming pink, then she turned away and continued to walk along the pond’s edge.
David followed, his heart still pounding in his ears. She was so much more than he’d ever imagined her to be. He was grateful he’d come to his senses in time about his foolish obsession with her brother and father.
They caught up to his siblings on the far side of the pond. Trey skipped stones across the surface while Hannah appeared absorbed in studying something beneath the rocks on the shore. Lady Joanna walked over to Hannah and they began to talk.
Trey came over to stand by David. “Shall we race the curricles?”
“No, not today.”
“Stephen wrote that he’d found a good mare for his breeding program. Bought her off Northcotte.”
David was surprised. “I wonder if he discussed it with Knightwick before purchasing.”
Lady Joanna perked up at the mention of her brother’s name. “You don’t think your cousin should have added one of our horses to his stable?”
David noted her use of “our horses.” He considered his words carefully before speaking, not wishing to upset her. “I’m simply surprised he didn’t use one from Fernleigh.”
Trey explained. “He wanted to introduce new blood, and said Northcotte’s Willow came from heavier stock. He’s looking for harness horses, not runners.”
Lady Joanna nodded. “Willow has some plow horses in her background. My brother wanted to add some strength to our line. I think her foals would do well under harness.”
“I haven’t seen Willow,” David said. “I’m sure she’s a sound horse. Northcotte knows his horseflesh.”
Her chin lifted. “He does. It’s apparent in how well Patriot is performing.”
David couldn’t prevent his wry grin. “Yes, he wins too often for my taste.”
Lady Joanna’s features softened, then a flirtatious gleam appeared in her eyes. “Perhaps you should use Patriot to cover one of your mares. The combination of our lines might prove unbeatable.”
His heart raced at the thought of combining their own lines, not their horses’. Something primal awoke in him. He wanted to claim her as the mother of his children, parade their offspring about and proudly display their talents as they grew. He tugged at his cravat, which wa
s suddenly too tight. He cleared his throat after a false start at replying. “Yes, I must speak to Northcotte.”
But he would not be discussing horses.
Hannah let the rock in her hands fall into the water. “I can’t wait to see Stephen and Jane.” She turned to Lady Joanna. “Our cousin is marrying our neighbor and my dearest friend. I wish they could have waited until the Season was over, but Mama and Jane’s mother wanted to avoid the heat of summer. We leave first thing tomorrow and will be gone a fortnight. I hate to think what I’ll miss while we’re away.”
Lady Joanna turned to David. “You are all leaving, then?”
“Yes,” he said. “I’m uncertain if I’ll stay up north for the Chester Race Meeting or return as soon as Stephen is married.”
“Oh yes, you mentioned going to some of the northern meetings.”
He couldn’t decide if she was sad or worried. Could he say something to reassure her? Was it too soon to press his suit? He held out his hand. “Shall we walk back? I find myself growing hungry again.”
She gave him her hand but said nothing. In his thoughts, he began and tossed aside sentence after sentence. Finally, he took an indirect route. “Would you have any objection to me requesting an audience with your brother before I leave Town?”
Lady Joanna peered at him around the brim of her bonnet, then quickly looked down. “No objection whatsoever.”
“I shall leave my card when I take you home. I don’t know if I’m what he would prefer for a husband for you, but perhaps I can persuade him.”
“You are what I would prefer, and that’s all that matters to me.”
His heart swelled and he stood a bit taller at her words. He covered her fingers with his own on his arm. Now all he had to do was find a response for any objection Northcotte might have.
Chapter Seventeen