He fought against smiling at her incredulous tone. Since he’d sat at the table that night at the Dragons, getting a rise out of her was fast becoming his favorite thing to do. He’d always thought her worthy of sitting at the side of any lord, but now it was a matter of only a few being worthy of sitting at her side. He shifted his gaze over to her. When her hackles were raised, she was a gorgeous sight to behold—but then she was under any circumstance. “When will you see him next?”
It was difficult to tell if she was piqued because he’d ignored her question to ask one of his own, but she’d pursed her lips, obviously not wanting to answer.
“Nothing formal has been arranged,” she finally responded.
“Mmm.”
“What does that little condescending groan of disapproval mean?” she asked tartly.
“I’m simply surprised he didn’t arrange for you to be in each other’s company. At the park or a museum. Or a ride over your grounds. Do you still do that in the mornings?”
On more than one occasion he’d been waiting for her beyond sight of the manor, and they’d raced over the meadows and through the forests.
“I don’t think he’s much of a horseman.”
“What about your daughter? Does she ride?”
“Not yet. But she will.”
“Does she have a pony?”
“Is there one in your basket?”
Grinning, he wondered if she might ever address him without a cutting edge lacing her words, her tone. Yet, he couldn’t help but admire the strength she projected. He’d once thought her in desperate need of protecting, but the woman standing before him now protected herself—and all she held dear.
Which obviously was no longer him. The sense of loss that washed over him threatened to take him under. He’d thought he’d known the price he was paying. What he hadn’t considered was the value that years added to a masterpiece. She was precisely that. Rare and remarkable.
“I know a horse breeder who is skilled at matching equines with the appropriate rider. When you’re ready for her to have a mount, I’d be happy to provide one for her through him.”
“Just because she gave you an invitation, don’t think you’ll be remaining in her life.”
“Once you are wed, I suspect you—and she—will never see me again.” It would be too painful to watch another man enjoying the fruits of a family Knight so desperately longed for and would forever deny himself.
Regina refused to be charmed by the sight of Knightly sitting on the tiny chair, his legs splayed so he was within easy reach of his platter and glass, his knees nearly touching his chest. She’d taken great delight in the horror crossing his features when a footman had brought out the cake and set it upon the miniature table and Knightly had realized they’d be celebrating Ari’s birthday with the dolls.
“Did your invitation not mention the dining arrangements?” she’d asked smugly.
“I somehow overlooked that particular detail.”
He had, however, been incredibly gracious when her daughter had pointed out that he was to sit in the chair beside her. Because of his cordiality she’d ordered a footman to “fetch his lordship a glass of scotch.”
“So you’ve agreed to a truce,” Knightly had murmured, leaning forward to where she sat across from him.
“For an hour.”
Ari had introduced him to her dolls, and he had assured each one that he was pleased to make her acquaintance. Regina was left with the resounding conviction he would make a wonderful father, and that perhaps she should have had Chidding on hand to compare them. But such a contest would serve only to leave her discontent with a choice that must be made.She needed a man upon whom she could rely, not one who even now still possessed the power to make her yearn for his touch, his scent, his kiss.
The pup, no doubt striving to recover from the earlier exuberant play, slept at Ari’s feet. She’d fair worn her out, although she still maintained an abundance of energy. “Sir, what should we name her?” she asked, just before shoving cake into her mouth.
While she hated to do it, Regina knew it was never too early to begin teaching manners and etiquette. “Ari, you should address him asmy lordrather thansir. He’s an earl, you see.”
“What’s an earl?”
“It’s a rank within the nobility.”
“What’s nobility?”
“It’s...”Something you should not have been denied.
