But Elizabeth held her ground. Four would be enough for protection in town. She had something pressing to do at home. The debate lasted another minute, then the company parted. Four sisters walked ahead while Elizabeth turned back.
This was my opportunity.
I urged the horse forward to catch her before she reached the house, but she did not continue to her door. Rather, she watched over her shoulder for about ten paces until the others had rounded the hedge, and then she ducked into the woods to my right. Curious!
I slipped out of the saddle and hooked the rein on a tree limb. It would be easier to catch up with her on foot if she was making her way through the trees. I only wished to speak with her, to ask her some frank questions. She was a reasonable woman, or so she seemed. I cut through the brush and found a slight trail, little more than the path made by a deer.
But Elizabeth Bennet had vanished. One moment, she was there in front of me, her green pelisse nearly blending with the woods. The next…
I was seeing stars and sitting on my face, my posterior pointing toward the sky.
“How dare you follow me? Get up! What is the meaning of this?”
I groaned. Had she clubbed me with a whole tree? I spat out bark chips and tried to get my arms under myself, but she kicked me in the breeches. Not hard, but hard enough to topple me to my side, where I lay, shielding my head from the branch she shook over my head.
“I might have expected you to come back! What are you after this time? My mother’s China? My father’s books?”
“A word, madam. That is all. For pity’s sake, stop hitting me with things! Do you often make new acquaintances this way?”
Her shoulders drew back, but she lowered her weapon. Then, upon glancing at it, she threw it into the thicket. “Very well. What do you want?”
Slowly, cautiously, I got to my knees, then my feet. “You are sure you are through injuring me?”
One slim brow arched. “That depends. I thought burglars were used to risk and injury. Part of the job description.”
“Only if they’re clumsy. Miss Bennet, I mean you no harm. I should think our previous encounter would be enough proof of that.”
Her lips curved, and I found my eyes helplessly fixed on them. The softness of them, and the memory of how they had melted to mine…
“Our previous encounter taught me you are an opportunist and have no qualms about taking advantage of my good nature. So, what happened? Did one of your stitches come out? Trying to break into another house, I shouldn’t wonder.”
“Perhaps I ought to apologize. I did not intend to take advantage of you. I was… as surprised at myself as you were, no doubt.”
“Oh, no doubt.” She crossed her arms. “I hear that every day from men who kiss me without warning. How often do you use that pathetic line?”
“Only once, and apparently, not convincingly. Allow me to prove my sincerity, Miss Bennet. I come in peace, and I only want to ask you a couple of questions. I promise you, I will keep my distance, for I have no wish to add to my list of bruises.”
Some eloquence sparked in those brown eyes of hers. Her thoughts flashed quickly across her face, from doubt to curiosity and finally to acquiescence. “Very well. What are you so desperate to know that you had to accost me in the woods by myself? You know you have the most deplorable manners, do you not?”
“And what of yours? You have nearly brained me twice this day.”
“That is different. You are an enormous man, and I am but a defenseless female.”
“Miss Bennet, you are many things, but defenseless is not one of them. Look, I am sorry for frightening you again, but it is important, and I could think of no simpler way to learn what I must know. Will you tell me, if you please, about your father’s artwork?”
Her eye twitched, and for an instant, I thought she was going to reach for her club again. But then, she did something that shocked me even more.
She kissed me.
Eight
Elizabeth
Itissaidthata clever person ought to learn or do something new each day. I am often too willful and obstinate to heed such wise advice, but occasionally, I see its merits. For example, only last week, I learned how to create an exquisitely complicated embroidery knot, which I am certain will come in terribly handy if I ever need to use my handkerchief as a boat anchor.
Today, I learned that a man, even a frightfully stubborn and irritating man, can be distracted from just about anything when one kisses him.
But one must take care to do the job thoroughly. It is no good to go to the bother of kissing a man, only to have him resume his troublesome line of questioning in the next breath. No, to achieve my purpose, I needed him senseless and drooling—just a step or two above comatose. And so, I released his lapels, which I had twisted into my fists to pull him down to my level, and plunged my fingers into his hair.
