“Oh, there will definitely be kisses involved.”
“Then I hope you will attend.”
“As much as I wish to spend more time with you, my lady, I need to talk to Wiltshire. Will you excuse us?”
“Of course. I understand.”
Hartley walked them back to the duke and the horses. “It’s been lovely to see you today, Lady Harriet,” he said, lifting her up into the saddle.
“Thank you, Lord Hartley.”
“Wiltshire, may I have a word?” Hartley asked.
“Of course. Lady Harriet, I’ll see you back at the house,” Wiltshire said.
Harriet looked between the two men and wondered if they’d be talking about her.
“You’re looking well today,”Wiltshire said.
Jon nodded. “Today is a good day so far.”
“Lieutenant, you mustn’t live your life trying to anticipate your next attack. You may be surprised; they don’t always appear when you think they will.”
“I’ve lived so long with the anticipation of a panic; it’s hard to relax and just live my life.”
“I understand, but Jon, that’s exactly what you must do. Put that anxiety aside and go about your daily business. You may be surprised how well you do.”
“I’ll try.”
“Have the nightmares lessened at all?”
“Some nights are better than others.”
“I think that’s typical of a lot of the former soldiers as well. I must apologize again for the oversight that you were never told we won the battle where you were hurt.”
“You’re not to blame. I suppose I never thought to ask what happened after I fell. That simple truth did seem to lessen some of the guilt I’ve felt since I came home. I thought I had let down the soldiers under my command and the guilt was overwhelming.”
“Good. I’m pleased to hear your guilt has lessened. You were a credit to the army, Jon, and don’t forget that.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“And now to what we really should talk about. What about Lady Harriet? What are your intentions in regards to my sister-in-law?”
Jon smiled. “She’s unlike any woman I’ve ever met. She soothes my soul.”
“Do you love her?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been in love before, but there’s something about her that I can’t seem to get enough of.”
“Jon, I don’t wish to see either you or Harriet hurt, but you must realize that the more time you spend with her, the more she’s committed to you.”
“Has she said that?”
Wiltshire nodded. “Harriet knows what she wants, and for some reason I don’t understand, she’s chosen to set her cap at you.”
Jon turned and looked at his friend. “I want to openly court her, not merely meet her in the meadow for morning ride.”
“To what end? Will you marry her? If you court her and then reject her, you’ll ruin her chances for a good match next spring. People talk, and they’ll know if you pass her over. That scandal would follow her back to London.”
