‘I do not,’ she replied quite stubbornly.
‘You’re certainly skilled at it,’ he retorted. ‘Are you simply a natural?’
‘I played with my father, but that was a long time ago.’
‘Before he died,’ Drake said, acknowledging the sad undertone in her voice. He felt a hint of guilt for teasing her. ‘Before you went away to school in Bath.’
‘Yes.’
‘I’m sorry for your loss. I understand the difficulties of grief. I lost my parents when I was quite young. Was raised by my uncle.’
‘I’m sorry for your loss, too,’ she replied.
‘When did you return from Bath?’
‘Two years ago.’
That surprised him. He wouldn’t consider two years as recent, which had been what Chesterfield had said earlier. But there was no opportunity to say more, because they’d arrived at a long table filled with a variety of foods and Alena was instructing them to collect a plate.
Once they’d filled their plates, they found places at a table already surrounded by other guests. Chesterfield made introductions, and Drake greeted each person before he took a seat next to Meridith.
Chesterfield brought up the croquet game and took a fair amount of good-hearted ribbing before a red-headed lady across the table, the Baroness Montgomery, asked, ‘Captain Taylor, am I correct in assuming you are the same Captain Taylor who recently donated the elephant to the zoo?’
‘I am,’ Drake replied, glad for a subject that he didn’t have to pretend to be interested in.
Chapter Two
As hard as she’d been trying to ignore Drake, which, in truth, had been extremely difficult due to his enthusiasm, Meridith couldn’t stop herself from twisting to look at him when he’d replied to the Baroness Montgomery.
She had to swallow away the dryness in her throat, because her entire system was still reacting to the way he’d hugged her, and she’d hugged him in return. It had been brief, but it had happened, and her breathing had yet to fully return to normal. Her cheeks still felt hot, too. Yet, she had to know if she’d heard correctly.
‘You donated Hugo to the zoo?’ she asked, thankful that her voice didn’t crack. The zoo was the one thing that brought her true joy. Peter allowed her to oversee the family donations to this sole charity, and it was an act that she took very seriously. Although the elephant was quite large and imposing, she’d been touched when she’d learned that when he’d first arrived, Hugo would only eat for the man who had brought him across the ocean and to the zoo. Captain Taylor.
Why hadn’t she realised that Drake wastheCaptain Taylor she’d heard about upon being introduced to him? Because she hadn’t been interested in meeting him, that’s why. Wasn’t interested in knowing anything about him, because he was simply one amongst many that her family paraded before her.
One who was far more handsome and more interesting than any of the others, but she couldn’t let that go to her head.
‘I did,’ he answered. ‘But only made the deal after I was sure that he’d be comfortable there.’
‘I can assure you that the zoo takes excellent care of all of the animals,’ she said, knowing that firsthand from her many visits.
‘I’m well aware of that, Lady Meridith,’ Drake replied with the same smile he’d cast her way throughout the croquet game. ‘I was referring to Hugo’s comfort, specifically. He hadn’t been treated kindly in the past, and I wanted him to know that I wouldn’t let that happen to him again. Elephants are quite intelligent animals.’
It felt as if Meridith’s heart doubled in size over the compassion in his voice. He was undeniably as remarkable as he was handsome. His black hair was parted on the side with a portion angled across his forehead, and his eyes were dark blue and filled with pure kindness.
‘Our youngest son, Adam, is fascinated with Hugo,’ the baroness said. ‘He would visit the zoo daily if we allowed it.’
‘Well, allow me to let you know a secret,’ Drake said.
The table went silent, and as captivated as the others, Meridith held her breath as she waited for him to continue.
‘Hugo will soon be providing rides to visitors,’ Drake said.
‘Oh, my,’ the baroness said. ‘Is that safe?’
‘Very,’ Drake said. ‘Hugo is as gentle as he is big.’
Meridith had not heard anything about Hugo providing rides and made a mental note to ask Mr Andrews during her next visit, which could very well be tomorrow, just to confirm what Drake said. She had no reason not to believe him, but surely he had at least one imperfect quality? ‘Do you still visit Hugo?’ she asked.
