Allana glanced up at him. They were far too close for comfort. She could feel her cheeks redden. “Yes, but I welcome it.”
Declan looked confused. “Would you welcome Connor’s interruption?”
“No. He knows me far too well. My pride as well as my wrist would have been injured had he been the one to see…er…to witness what happened,” Allana answered honestly. Humiliation burned within as she recalled the language she’d used on Cherry earlier. Lord Cunningham had seen the fall, and that meant he’d heard those words as well. She couldn’t let it pass without an apology. She sighed. “My Lord?”
“Please, Declan,” he reminded her.
She struggled saying his name. He was always Lord Cunningham or my Earl in her mind. She’d never used his first name before. She hesitated before finally saying his name aloud. “Declan.” Saying it was actually quite pleasant. “I must apologize. I…,” she cleared her throat uncomfortably. “You should not have been subjected to my outburst from earlier.”
He chuckled lightly. “I believe the tears were acceptable. They tend to occur when one is injured as you are.”
Allana’s cheeks flared more. Of course he would think of that instead of what she truly meant. “Thank you for understanding, but that is not the outburst to which I was referring. I was thinking of the language I used after Cherry threw me. It was inappropriate, and I apologize for it.” Allana exhaled slowly. The apology was made. Hopefully there was nothing else left to cause embarrassment.
He laughed this time. “Ah, I see. I had forgotten it actually. Hmm. I will make a bargain with you.”
Allana looked at him curiously. He hadn’t accepted her apology. Instead he was bargaining with her. What could he possibly want from her?
“I will forget said incident if you promise to forget my weakness in kissing you earlier. If Connor learned of it, it could cause problems with our friendship,” he explained.
Allana nodded. “I see. So you wish my silence for your forgiveness?”
He laughed. “There is no need to forgive because I was not offended. However, I will forget it and never bring it up again if you promise the same.”
“Oh…very well. I promise the same then,” she replied. He looked rather relieved. Why was he so worried about Connor? Perhaps he had heard how protective Connor had been with her and Lucas. Of course, that would mean he knew who she was, and aside from her name, she wasn’t certain he did.
“Good. We have an agreement then.”
“Yes, it seems we do,” she answered. He smiled at her, and it seemed she lost her heart even more to her Earl.
Chapter 12
Connor stretched. Paperwork was tedious. He would have preferred to be riding with Allana. He wondered how she was handling that horse. He shook his head. The beast had been acting up lately. Lilly gave her far too much slack, but if anyone knew how to handle a stubborn horse, it would be Allana.
“Marcus!” Lilly’s voice cried through the house. “Marcus, come quickly!”
Connor jumped as did his father. His father even cursed before darting out of the office. Connor followed right behind. Lilly’s voice was urgent. A sinking feeling entered Connor’s gut. Something was wrong, and his gut told him it had something to do with Allana.
Lilly was in the main entrance hall of the house. “Marcus!” she shouted. She was heading for the front door as if ready to charge out of it with or without Connor’s father.
“What is it?” Lord Tananguard asked.
“It’s Cherry. She’s back and without Allana!” Lilly said frantically. “I saw her running in from the east without a rider.”
“Oh no,” Connor said. He ran for the front door followed closely behind by his father and Lilly.
The three of them ran to the stables, Lilly slightly slower. She made it there by the time Connor and his father had thoroughly examined Cherry for injuries.
“Well, she’s dirty, but uninjured. Could Allana have sent her home so she could walk?” Lord Tananguard asked.
“She’s never done so in the past,” Lilly answered. “Why would she start today?”
“I agree,” Connor added. “Something must have happened.”
Lord Tananguard nodded. Then he called out, “Fredric!”
The stable boy was hovering just within the stables. “Aye, my Lord?” he asked, stepping forward from the shadows.
“How long has Cherry been back?”
“Just moments, my Lord.”
“Lilly said she came from the east. Did you see more than that?”
“No, my Lord.”
Lord Tananguard nodded. “Take Cherry inside and clean her. Connor and I will saddle our own mounts to go in search of Allana.”
“Aye, my Lord,” Fredric said.
“And me?” Lilly asked. “What of me?”
“You will stay here,” Lord Tananguard ordered.
“But Marcus—”
“Please, Lilly. Someone needs to stay here. You are the most logical choice, my love,” Lord Tananguard said tenderly.
Lilly sighed, but nodded in agreement.
They saddled their horses with speed. Connor was tempted to go bareback, but he knew the extra time saddling the horses would be worth it. They could travel faster and more comfortably.
“Hurry back with news,” Lilly begged.
“We will,” Lord Tananguard promised.
The two men took flight, pushing their horses east toward Cunningham’s land. They were nearing the border when Connor heard Allana’s laugh. A few moments later he spotted her. His jaw dropped. This was not terrible. This was marvelous! Allana was with none other than Cunningham himself. She was abroad his horse with Cunningham walking in front, guiding, and they were both smiling.
“Do you see what I see?” Connor asked his father in astonishment.
“I do. I wonder if she’s injured,” Lord Tananguard replied. “Cunningham!” he bellowed. The man on foot waved. “Is she injured?”
“Nothing serious!” Cunningham called back.
Connor’s father sighed in relief. “Blasted girl. Scared me to death. I assume the two of you can get her home without incident. I am going back to inform Lilly all is well.”
Connor nodded. His father turned his mount around and headed back toward the manor.
* * *
Declan Cunningham could not have been happier and more disappointed when seeing Connor Tananguard approach. There hadn’t been a woman in nearly ten years who had caught his eye the way the woman atop his horse had. And she belonged to another man. That she had made perfectly clear. The situation puzzled Declan though. She didn’t seem like a woman in love when she spoke of Connor Tananguard, and there were several times he was certain she was showing interest in him. But she’d told him she was Connor’s. Not in those words particularly, but what other conclusion was there? And because she belonged to Connor, Declan was forced to ignore his desire to pursue her. Thus, he needed to dump her in Connor’s lap and be done with her before he became attached. Unfortunately, the latter was already occurring. He shouldn’t have kissed her. What had he been thinking? It must have been the tears and the faith in her eyes when he told her he would take care of her. She had looked at him so trustingly with those lovely, green eyes. Even covered in mud, she’d been tempting. And so he’d done the unthinkable. He had kissed her, a complete stranger. It was madness, that’s what it was.
The woman was very different from any he had encountered before. She actually laughed with him—not the dainty, shy giggle most noblewomen used, but an actual laugh. She was spirited—stubborn—but spirited. And she was quite lovely, mud included. He wanted to know more about her, but he’d kept his distance when he realized she belonged to Connor, keeping to small talk and simple things. Yet he found himself laughing with her more than once over something either one had said. It was far too pleasant being in her company.
Once they had come close to the border of his and Tananguard’s land, Declan suggested he guide the horse fr
om foot so as not to cause suspicion. He didn’t want to appear too friendly with another man’s intended. And he was right in doing so. Connor and Marcus had arrived sooner than he had anticipated, both looking rather concerned.
“Connor,” Declan said to the approaching man. “Where has your father gone?”
“To relieve Lilly’s worries. She was the one who spotted Cherry returning without her rider,” Connor answered. He glanced up at Allana, and then did so again, truly taking in the sight of her disheveled form. “Allana?” he said in astonishment. “What happened?”
Declan tried not to smile as he heard a quiet groan come from the woman. For some odd reason, she didn’t want Connor to know she’d been thrown. It was curious. She didn’t run to Connor to cry on his shoulder of her misfortune. She simply seemed reluctant.
Declan glanced up at her briefly. There was a look of despair upon her face. Shouldn’t she be joyous to see her beau? Perhaps she truly feared losing her freedom. Was Connor so protective of her? That didn’t seem like the Connor Declan knew, but one tended to be different when one was in love. Perhaps he should spare Allana the inevitable outcome of losing said freedom should Conner learn the truth of her fall.
“I witnessed the entire event,” Declan answered Connor. “I was too far away to make speech without shouting mind you,” he explained first. “From where I was, though, I watched Lilly’s horse casually stroll into a bog. It was as if our dear Lady Allana was not truly paying attention until it was too late. I tried to make my way to her before she was forced to dirty herself, but I was too slow. She dismounted and proceeded to guide the horse through the mud. She slipped, landed incorrectly upon her wrist, and the horse darted away, leaving her stranded. It was my duty to assist.”
Allana was gaping at him, her beautiful eyes growing larger than they already were.
“Is that not correct, my Lady?” Declan asked.
She quickly shut her jaw and nodded. “Indeed it is.”
“That damned horse! I tried to warn you. You should have waited for me,” Connor said in disapproval. “And now you’re injured.” He’d dismounted and was by Allana’s side. He held his arms up to her and slid her down off the horse. “Let me see.”
Connor pulled at her left hand without her consent. It was rather familiar behavior even for a couple betrothed, and Connor was usually quite respectful toward women. What was different about this one? She had said Connor knew her too well. Had they grown up together and been promised to each other as children?
“Connor, it’s nothing. Please, stop fussing. I am well,” she said, pushing aside his touch.
Another strange reaction. Shouldn’t she want Connor’s touch? No, she did not like being fussed over. Declan had done the same to her earlier and had received a similar reaction. But he was a stranger, and Connor was her beau.
Allana sighed as Connor fussed over her nonetheless. He examined her wrist to his own satisfaction then the rest of her.
“There are no other injuries. I am fine, Connor.”
Connor ignored her, continuing his examination. That is when Allana finally showed her affection. Gently, she touched Connor’s face with her uninjured hand to force him to look at her then graced him with a beautiful smile. “Connor,” she said patiently. He met her eyes, and Declan wished he could trade places with the man. “I truly am fine.”
Connor just stared back with concern. Declan was certain were he in Connor’s place, he would have swept her into his arms and kissed her senseless before holding her close to his heart’s content.
“We were just so worried. We were certain something had happened to you,” Connor said tenderly. He touched her face and pulled her into the embrace Declan would have given her moments ago. Connor looked at Declan over Allana’s head. “Thank you. What would she have done without you?”
Allana pushed away from Connor and laughed. “I would have made it back eventually. My wrist was injured, not my leg.”
He laughed in return. “Of course. What was I thinking?” He ruffled her hair.
An odd form of affection, Declan thought.
“Just the same, though, thank you Cunningham,” Connor was saying.
“It was my pleasure. I shall leave her in your care, then,” Declan said.
“Yes, but won’t you come to Tananguard and join us in a late lunch? It is the least we could do for your timely rescue,” Connor said.
“I have…things that need tending. Another time,” Declan replied. He needed to be away from this woman. The yearning he felt for her was unnatural.
“I understand. Will we be seeing you in the days to follow?” Connor asked. His arm was draped around Allana’s shoulder, and a pang of jealousy hit Declan.
“I will see what I can do, but I may not be able to,” he lied. He didn’t wish to visit her, not if he couldn’t have her.
“Then we will see you next week for the hunt,” Connor said.
We? Did that mean she would be joining them on the hunt as well? Declan was frantically trying to think of an excuse to decline.
“You will be there, won’t you?” Allana asked sweetly.
She looked…hopeful. What did that mean? Did she want him there? Declan was receiving far too many mixed signals from this woman. Perhaps her attachment to Connor was not as it seemed.
“Yes. I will be there,” Declan committed himself.
“Good. We will see you then. Come Allana. We must get you home.” Connor gave her a brief kiss on the forehead before urging her toward his horse.
No, her attachment to Connor was exactly as it seemed. “Good day to you both,” Declan said.
Allana hesitated. She pulled from Connor and came back to Declan. She placed her right hand upon his. The boldness of this woman!
“Thank you,” she said with sincerity.
Declan couldn’t help but smile down at her. “You are welcome.”
He watched her leave and cursed himself for wanting her. Why? She was taken. Even that did not stop his heart for yearning. He mounted Colonel and began preparing himself for the moment he would have to see her again.
Chapter 13
It was a beautiful morning. The sky was clear, a small breeze played across the grass, and Allana prayed she looked as fine as she thought she did in her dark-green riding dress with the silver trimming. The green brought out her eyes, and the dress itself fit snugly about the bodice, showing off her feminine curves, yet it was modest in that the jacket buttoned up to an inch above the base of her neck. Her hair was pinned back with a few wisps down that dangled in the breeze, and covering it was a fashionable hat that tied under her chin, shading her face from the sun.
It was the morning of the big hunt her father had been planning for weeks. Carmon was accompanying her, and Lord Cunningham would be there as well. Allana had been looking forward to this day since her recent encounter with him. Over the past week she’d confined herself to the house and simple strolls outside. She was determined to rest her wrist as much as possible. She would not miss the hunt, not when he would be there. She no longer feared an encounter with him. She had already faced him at her worst. She wanted to see him again. She decided she may not be the woman for him, but she could at least enjoy his company one more time even if she wasn’t the focus of his attentions. Thus, with her wrist tightly bound, Allana found herself riding next to Carmon toward the hunting party trying to look confident.
* * *
Declan was in deep conversation with one of his fellow huntsman, Edmund Russell. Their party had been gathering for the past half hour, hunters slowly arriving at Tananguard from town and the surrounding areas. When Declan arrived, Allana was nowhere to be seen, but Connor was waiting outside the stables with two horses saddled and ready. Declan recognized Connor’s mount, and the other horse looked oddly familiar as well.
“We’re gathering down by the kennels. My father as well as Lord Davenhue and Lord Cowen are already down there,” Connor informed him.
Declan normally wou
ld have stayed and visited with Connor, but instead he made a hasty exit down to the kennels. A short while later Connor arrived alone. He began making his way toward Declan, so Declan dove into conversation with the man closest to him, Edmund Russell. He’d never dealt much with the man, but what did it matter when trying to avoid conversation with Connor that might lead to painful details of his relationship with Allana. Declan was rather irritated with himself for letting a woman he met only once affect him thus. Connor was a good friend and colleague. Declan should not be avoiding him because of a woman.
“Dogs are the only way to hunt the beasts,” Edmund said.
Declan pulled himself from his thoughts. “I’m not disagreeing with you. Simply put, I personally like the challenge of hunting without them.”
“Why would you want to do that?” Edmund asked.
“For the challenge,” Declan explained patiently. Was the man even listening?
“Oh, right. You did just s—”
“Davenhue, did I hear correct? Is your daughter finally spoken for?” Declan overheard Lord Charles Burning ask. It was said loud enough that it pulled Edmund’s attention, interrupting his words.
Lord Davenhue smiled proudly. “She is, and to none other than our good fellow Edmund here.”
“Ah, yes. I did not realize. Congratulations Edmund,” Burning said.
“Thank you,” Edmund said in pleasure.
“And speaking of your young lady, is that not she coming to join us this morning?”
Edmund turned in the direction Burning motioned, causing Declan to do the same.
“Yes it is,” Edmund said with a smile of adoration.
Declan wished he could join in the other man’s joy, but his heart was doing its own bit of yearning at the moment, making him feel just plain miserable. Allana and another young woman were riding their way, and Allana looked far better than he remembered. She was…beautiful.
“And is that young Allana with her? She gets lovelier every day, Marcus,” Burning commented casually to Marcus Tananguard.
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