More kisses.
More of him.
As she waited by the property line on that third morning, she saw him riding toward her, and her heart fluttered. Once again, he looked magnificent in the saddle as he rode Zeus up to her. “Good day, Lord Hartley,” she called out.
He tipped his hat. “Lady Harriet.”
Harriet had decided to treat the earl no differently than any other man of her acquaintance, and before he had time to replace his hat, she said, “Race you to the tree line.” She kicked her heels against Meribelle’s side, and the mare took off, leaving the earl in her wake.
She looked back over her shoulder to see his face—it was frozen in shock at first, and then his competitive spirit kicked in, and he raced after her. Even though she had a head start, Meribelle was no match for the stallion’s stride, and Jon and Zeus overtook her before she’d gotten halfway to the tree line.
She pulled back on the reins. “Easy, Meribelle,” she said, patting the mare’s neck.
The earl slowed his stallion and came to her. “Did you think your mare could beat Zeus?”
Harriet chuckled. “Not at all. I was merely in the mood for a good gallop, and the horses seemed to enjoy it.”
He grunted.
Harriet wasn’t going to let him slip back into his habit of just a grunt or two. She wanted a real conversation with him. “I do hope Mr. and Mrs. Seaford are doing well.”
“They appear to be.”
“Mrs. Seaford told me you gifted them the dower house. That was quite thoughtful of you.”
“It was nothing. Better than having the house empty and falling into ruin.”
“Still, it was a very generous gesture.” Harriet wanted nothing more than to inquire about Jon’s attack at the weddingbreakfast, but she refrained, knowing it might embarrass him. He probably didn’t want to be reminded of how weak he’d looked in front of her. It didn’t matter to her. She wanted to be with him no matter what.
Would he kiss her today? She desperately hoped he would and wanted to stay in his company longer, so she said the first thing that popped into her mind.
“Did you know that I met Mrs. Seaford at the modiste shop when we first came to Bath? I had no idea your valet was sweet on her. Did you know of their attachment?”
“I shall accompany you back to your grandmother’s house,” Jon said rather abruptly.
She was disappointed that he was calling an end to their conversation so quickly today, but she had to be satisfied for the day. Even when she had tea at his home with her grandmother, he hadn’t spoken much besides ordering them all to leave when they first arrived. She didn’t want to push him beyond his limit for conversation, so she nodded and turned Meribelle back toward the manor. “Thank you. That would be lovely.”
When they were within sight of her grandmother’s manor, Hartley tipped his hat again. “I’ve enjoyed our ride. Good day, Lady Harriet.”
Harriet gave him a brilliant smile. “It is indeed, my lord. By the way, I shall attend the next Assembly Room dance.” She nudged Meribelle forward, and as much as she wanted to look back at the earl to see how he reacted to her words, she kept her eyes trained forward and rode for home.
Such a formidable man! Do you wish for my presence as I do yours? Please say you do. I long to be in your arms again and for more of your sizzling kisses.
Back at the manor, Harriet ran into Lord Spenser as she walked up the stairs to her bedchamber. “Good day, Lord Spenser.”
“Lady Harriet, I do hope Hartley was civil today.”
“What? I—”
He merely smiled. “I shall see you at luncheon, my lady,” he said with a wink before walking on down the stairs.
Harriet should have realized that Lord Spenser would have noticed she rode out every morning and made the connection that she was hoping to meet Hartley. He was quite observant in his laid-back way and had surmised correctly—she did ride out to see the earl every morning. Hartley wasn’t always there, but she waited for him anyway.
Did Lord Spenser approve of her association with his friend? It appeared he knew of her growing attachment to him. When they’d spoken about it earlier, he’d been concerned for her reputation if the earl rejected her. That was sweet of him, but he had to know that she had no intention of giving up her morning rides. Seeing the earl was the highlight of her day.
As Harriet soaked in the tub, she couldn’t help but smile. Hartley had seemed pleased to see her today, and she wondered if he’d started to develop feelings for her. He wouldn’t ride out to see her if he only wanted his solitude, right? It had to mean something that he continued to meet her, and what about those kisses? Even though he hadn’t kissed her today, she thought she saw longing in his eyes today.
Did you also see the longing in my eyes?
