Miles looked up from his plate. Every time he looked at the green-eyed beauty, he was mesmerized. She was witty and charming, a singular lady the likes of which he’d not encountered before. Not only was she quite beautiful, but she wasn’t afraid to express her opinion. It was her refreshing honesty that he liked the best, although he longed to let down her hair and run his fingers through her golden locks. He wondered if they were as soft as they looked.
To know that she didn’t wish to live the life of a titled lady in some London townhouse, only interested in fashion and gossip like so many young ladies of his acquaintance, made her even more appealing to him. It was unusual for Miles to be so captivated by a young woman. He’d had his share of affairs with willing women and widows, but he’d never been attracted to an innocent before. Emma was the first young lady that he looked forward to conversing with about a number of different subjects.She was a wonder and offered a stark departure from the tepid conversations he’d had with debutantes while attendingtonevents with his friend, the Earl of Robinson.
“I do apologize, Miss Bent. I’m very worried about Mr. Hughes. I’ve not received word yet about how his uncle is faring, and it concerns me greatly.”
“That is rather concerning. Perhaps a letter will arrive soon.”
“I hope you’re correct.” If he didn’t receive any word from Noah in the next couple of days, he’d give his apologies to Lord Fleming and ride to Oxfordshire to check on the situation personally.
“I was planning to go for a good gallop after breaking my fast this morning and was hoping you might care to join me,” Emma said.
Miles smiled. He would like nothing better, especially knowing that it would allow him to have time alone with Emma. Ever since he met her, he couldn’t stop thinking about her, wondering how soft her lips were and how well she would fit in his embrace. For the first time since Noah left, he felt happy. “I’d very much like to join you, Miss Bent. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Excellent. I’m sure there’s a suitable mount for you in my father’s stables.”
“There’s no need. I rode my own horse here.”
Emma turned to the footman standing near the door. “George, please inform the stablemaster that Mr. Walker and I would like to go riding this morning.”
“Right away, Miss Bent,” George said, exiting the room.
Miles felt better now that he had a lovely distraction to enjoy for the next hour or two and began to dig into his eggs and bacon. Would today be the day he’d steal a kiss from the lovely lady? Would Miss Bent welcome his kiss? She seemed to enjoy his company as much as he enjoyed hers. He rememberedRobertson telling him about a secluded spot just beyond the tree line.
Today would be the perfect time to investigate it.
After breakfast, Miles went to his bedchamber to change into his riding breeches, get his hat and gloves, and returned to the foyer to find Miss Bent waiting for him. She wore a form-fitting hunter-green riding habit that highlighted her eyes and showed her womanly curves to perfection. A stylish hat with a single jaunty feather of the same color completed her outfit. Miles had never seen a more beautiful young woman. He extended his arm, and together they walked to the stables.
“Good morning, Miss Bent, Mr. Walker. Your mounts are ready,” the stablemaster said, leading Vulcan and a white mare out of the stables.
Miss Bent walked to her mare and rubbed her nose. “Good morning, Daisy girl. Are you ready to stretch your legs?” She moved to the mounting block, but Miles was beside her in an instant.
“May I?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you.”
He lifted her with ease into the saddle while inhaling her tantalizing scent. Was that a hint of orange or more of a vanilla scent? Whatever it was, Miles liked it very much. His hands stayed on her trim waist a moment longer than necessary.
“Thank you, Mr. Walker.”
“My pleasure, Miss Bent,” he said, vaulting onto Vulcan’s back. He patted the horse’s neck and led them toward the meadow.
“Shall we race to the trees?” she asked after the horses had walked past the formal gardens.
Before Miles could answer, she took off like a shot. He chuckled before tapping Vulcan’s sides. “Come on, boy. Let’s show the ladies how fast you can run.”
Vulcan soon overtook the mare and reached the tree line first.
“We almost beat you!” Emma cried.
“Yes, you did. You ride very well, Miss Bent.”
“Thank you. Come, I want to show you a nice spot where the horses can quench their thirst,” Emma said, leading him on a small path through the trees.
Miles wondered if it was the same spot that Robertson had told him about. He kept that thought to himself, just thrilled to be in Miss Bent’s company. She’d momentarily distracted him from his worry over Noah.
When she finally stopped, Miles was certain it was the secluded spot Robertson had mentioned. He jumped down from his horse and went to Miss Bent. “May I?” he asked, not wanting to assume she would welcome his assistance.
“Yes. Thank you, Mr. Walker.”
