“I did with help from my brother-in-law.” Georgie straightened her skirt. “Shall we go?”
“Er, yes.” He went back to his horse, Lochinvar, and swung up onto the saddle. “Where do you want to ride?”
With a mere shift in her legs, Georgie coaxed her mare to walking. Gavin had had no idea she was such an experienced rider.
She glanced around as if trying to decide, then shrugged. “You know the area better than I do. I shall follow your lead.”
Knowing women, that was probably the first and only time he’d hear her say that. “Would you like to have a good gallop?”
The smile that lit her face combined the sun and all the stars. If he had known how happy being on a horse made her, he’d have insured she had a chance to ride in Town. “That would be lovely.”
Johnson followed them out of the stable yard. “Mind now, miss, none of your tricks unless you let me know.”
Tricks? What the devil did the groom mean by tricks?
When Gavin slid his eyes to her, she had a guilty look on her face. “I shall be sure you have prior warning.”
The groom grunted, but fell silent as they quickened to a trot.
Still, she must have done something she should not have. “What was he talking about?”
Georgie’s deep blue eyes opened wide. “Nothing very much. Lilly and I practice certain things I have trained her to do. Johnson was just a little uneasy when he saw them the first time.” She pulled a face. “I have promised to warn him when we do them again.”
Things?“Such as?”
“Hawksworth, my brother-in-law, wanted to teach me how to make myself safer when I was riding.” Her evasiveness did not ease Gavin’s mind.
“Perhaps you can show me.” He’d like to see what sorts of contrivances she was talking about.
“Perhaps I shall.” Her lips tilted up slightly, convincing him that she had definitely not told him nearly what he wanted to know. “However, now I would like to gallop.”
He was leading them over a meadow of tall grass that was still resplendent with wildflowers. “There is a path that goes through the wood and thence to the town that has a nice straight piece that is long enough to race without worrying about one’s horse stepping into a rabbit hole.”
The day was rapidly growing warmer and they took their time crossing fields of newly harvested crops until they reached the path. Georgie and her mare rode as if they were one. Gavin had never seen a lady with a better seat and very few men. A stream ran along one side of the road and they stopped to water their horses.
Jumping off Lochinvar, Gavin ran to Georgie before she could make Lilly kneel again. “Allow me to help you.”
Her sharp and wary blue eyes searched his face before she inclined her head. “Very well.”
As soon as she unhooked her leg from the pommel, he clasped his hands around her waist, making sure her foot was not caught in the stirrup. Gavin felt her breath quicken as he slowly lowered her feet to the ground. That was what he’d wanted, to feel her response to him. Georgie might not want him as much as he desired her, but she would if he had anything to say about it. The lacy scarf tucked into the habit’s bodice didn’t hide the rapid pulse in her throat. She tilted her head up to look at him, and he began to lean forward. Their lips were only inches away from each other’s. He could almost feel the softness of her mouth—
“Good day for a ride,” Johnson said in his laconic tone.
Blast it all!
Gavin had completely forgotten the groom was with them. With the spell broken, she stepped back. “Yes, it is.” The mare swung her head around to look at him as if accusing him of doing something he should not. “Are you done, girl?”
Georgie backed up again and waited while Gavin got his horse. “Shall we race?”
He was relieved to see her smile again. “I would love to race. Adeline may no longer ride and Frits is always busy.”
That was the best piece of news Gavin had had since he arrived. But, once again, before he could reach her, Lilly kneeled and Georgie mounted the mare. He’d need to be much faster if he hoped to get to her before she mounted by herself.
* * *
Georgie was not going to let Turley hold her again. At least not until they had worked out what was going on between the two of them. The feel of his palms still burned into her waist, and if Johnson had not been there Turley would have kissed her and, drat her, she would have allowed him. It was definitely not safe to be alone with him. She did not think he would attempt to compromise her. She could not have fallen in love with him if he was a rogue. Still, it was better not to allow herself to be put in a position where she might be tempted to do something she ought not do. On the other hand, he had never before attempted to kiss her. And part of her, well, a great deal of her hoped he’d try again. Her sister had once said that a marriage needed passion, and she wondered if she would enjoy his kiss.
She led Lilly back to the path, trying not to look at him, but good Lord, he was a handsome man. She bit down on her lip before turning to face him. “I take it this is where you wish to race?”
