“My grandmother would be pleased if I practiced my needlework more, but I find it to be dreadfully boring.”
“I am not surprised.”
Arabella took a moment to admire the dashing figure that Colin made. He was dressed in a dark green riding jacket, dark trousers, and a white cravat. His hair was brushed forward, and she had the strangest urge to run her hands through it.
To distract herself from her own thoughts, she asked, “May I ask why you are out here by yourself?”
“I am catching a poacher.” He paused. “At least, I am trying to.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I found a trap, but the poacher might not return to this spot if he sees us chatting out in the open,” Colin said. “If you promise to be quiet, I will let you join me.”
She smiled. “I promise.”
Colin spun on his heel. “Follow me, then.”
He led her a short distance away and crouched behind a cluster of birch trees. As she did the same, he whispered, “I noticed someone set a trap for small animals over there by the rocks.”
“How do you know this person will show up to check the trap?”
“I don’t,” he replied.
She turned her attention towards the cluster of rocks. “May I ask how long you intend to stay out here?”
“All day, if I have to.”
Arabella leaned closer to him and asked, “Don’t you have servants to handle this sort of thing?”
“I do, but they have failed in this regard.”
She turned her head back towards Colin and realized that their faces were only inches apart. “You have always been rather impatient,” she said, her words sounding forced to her own ears.
“I won’t disagree with you there.” His eyes darted towards her lips, and she found herself hoping that he would kiss her.
She inhaled raggedly, her chest rising and falling with deep breaths as he moved closer. As his lips brushed against hers, she closed her eyes and melted into the kiss. His lips were warmer and softer than anything she could have imagined, but somehow they were fierce and powerful at the same time.
A twig breaking in the distance startled her, and she jumped back. She stared at Colin and was surprised to see him smiling back at her.
“If you want me to apologize, you will surely be disappointed,” he said lightly.
“No, I don’t want an apology.”
“Good, because I am not sorry about kissing you.” He brought his finger to his lips, indicating she should be quiet. As she turned her attention towards the rocks, she saw a familiar figure approach and her heart dropped. It was Peter.
Colin reached behind him and pulled out a pistol. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of it, and he whispered, “It is better to be safe than sorry.”
Peter walked over to the trap and crouched down. As he tinkered with it, Colin rose and stepped out from behind the trees. “Stay where you are,” he ordered.
Peter turned towards Colin with wide eyes, choosing to remain silent.
Colin approached him, his gun pointing at the boy. “Are you armed?”
With a shake of his head, Peter replied, “I’m not.”
“I am going to put my pistol away, but you better not run,” Colin directed before he tucked the pistol into the waistband of his trousers.
Peter rose and stood before Colin with a shaking frame. “I was just here to check my trap.”
