“I didn’t intend to make you go as white as a ghost. It’s just that gossip abounds that you have captured his attention.”
“He assisted me with a pebble in my slipper. That’s all. Nothing untoward has happened between us.”
“Pity. I’ve always found him to be far too straitlaced. I thought perhaps knowing you might loosen him up a bit.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Americans, at least the few ladies I know, don’t seem to be as inhibited as many of my fellow countrywomen.”
“I assure you that I always behave properly.”Except when I don’t.
“I meant no insult.”
“None taken.”
“Then perhaps you’ll honor me with a dance at the next ball we both attend.”
“I would be delighted to do so.”
“Splendid. I shall take my leave now.” He leaned nearer and lowered his voice. “From what I understand your mother doesn’t like you wasting time with gents who won’t inherit a title.”
She might run mad with all the gossip and the reputation Mama was giving them with her constant queries about eligible lords. But Leonora also knew what it was to be considered lacking. “I personally have nothing against them and have found the ones I’ve met quite charming.”
“How very kind of you to say so, Miss Garrison. I look forward to our next dance.” He slipped his arm out from hers and tipped his hat toward her mother. “Good day, Mrs. Garrison.”
He mounted his horse and trotted away. Her mother was instantly at her side. “He will not do.”
“I don’t think he was tryingto do.”
“Here is a much better prospect.”
She didn’t have to look long or far before she spotted Rook astride a black steed.
Rook had spied her walking with Lawrence, and it had taken every ounce of self-control he possessed not to gallop over, scoop an arm around her waist, lift her onto the saddle, and race away. The gossips would love that.
He had the errant thought that he would as well. He’d set her precariously between his spread thighs and the pommel. She would wrap her arms around his waist or neck to ensure she didn’t topple. Then she’d offer that gorgeous mouth of hers for the taking.
But he wasn’t one to lose his head over a woman, to lose his head at all. He always remained in control of his emotions and his actions. Therefore, he tightened his fingers on the reins and urged his horse to casually trot over to her. He brought his mount to a halt, slid from the saddle, and swept his hat from his head. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Garrison. I’m hoping you’ll give me leave to stroll toward the serpentine with your daughter.”While you languish behind us, your daughter out of reach of your pinching fingers.
“As long as you’ll keep a respectable distance between you. I’ll not give the gossips any more fodder.”
Fairly envisioning her eyes turning purple, he suspected her words were a lie, that she’d very much like to give the tongue-waggers a good many more reasons to spread rumors. “I shall be on my best behavior,” he assured her. He wouldn’t have had to say that to an English mother because they all knew his behavior was exemplary. Except of late. He hardly recognized the man he’d become in that little nook, when all of his senses had been filled with Miss Garrison.
“I assume you saw the bit of gossip about you and my daughter.”
“I did. I hope it didn’t bring you too much embarrassment.”
“Are you often written up in the gossip sheets?”
“This morning was a first.” And had irritated the devil out of him. “It shan’t happen again.”
Looking more disappointed than satisfied, she pursed her lips and nodded.
He didn’t offer Miss Garrison his arm because if she touched him, he wasn’t certain he’d possess the wherewithal not to embrace her. Her dress was a pale pink, the shade of her lips, not the dark hue of the one she’d worn the night they’d met. It was buttoned nearly to her chin and at her wrists and he considered the pleasure he’d take from granting all those buttons their freedom, and in doing so, give the same pleasure to her. Holding the reins, he clasped both hands behind his back and began walking, grateful she joined him and her mother followed a few steps behind.
“What’s the horse’s name?” she asked.
So they were going to converse about unimportant matters. He wondered if she’d done the same with Lawrence. “Well-mannered.”
