Page 43 of A Lady of Conscience

“We shall consider it,” James said. With that, he took his leave of the farmer, and turning the horses, exited the drive. He didn’t say anything for a long while. Indeed, his countenance was uncommonly rigid.

Hannah steadfastly avoided his gaze. Good lord. What must he be thinking of her? Doubtless he was irritated or possibly even angry. She privately wondered if she owed him an apology for putting him to so much trouble.

But really, how was she to know it wasn’t the right donkey?

“I am mortified,” she declared at last. “Not only have I inconvenienced you, but to think, I accused that innocent costermonger of theft on a public street! I must find him and make my apologies.”

“You don’t owe him an apology.”

“Indeed, I do.”

“You didn’t accuse him of theft outright, did you?”

“No, but I did greatly annoy him.”

“For which he was handsomely compensated.”

“Yes, he was, but⁠—”

“Unless you mean to restore the donkey to him?”

“I most certainly don’t,” she said, appalled at the suggestion. “This donkey can’t go back to a life of service. Not now he knows what a warm mash is and not after he’s experienced a night in a comfortable stable. He deserves to be someone’s pet, just like Sweet William is.”

“Your pet?” James asked.

Hannah frowned. “As to that…I shall have to ask my parents.” She considered the various complications. “Even if they said I could have him, the fact remains that we shall be in Bath for some time. It isn’t a city well-disposed for keeping horses or donkeys. I should think it far better if he could return to the country with someone. Or perhaps be sent back with someone’s groom who would look after him in the manner to which he's become accustomed.”

“Someone,” he repeated. “Anyone in particular?”

She gave him a hopeful look. “You wouldn’t have need of a donkey, would you?”

James burst out laughing.

Hannah started. She’d never seen him laugh before. The action wrought a dramatic change in his countenance. The hard lines of his face softened, the corners of his eyes crinkled, and he smiled—such a smile! It was dazzling and warm, making him at once more handsome and more human.

Her own mouth quivered in reflexive response. Soon, she was laughing too. “Oh, what a muddle. But you must own I haven’t been completely out of order. This donkey does bear a remarkable resemblance to Sweet William.”

“Quite remarkable. He will make someone a handsome pet, I’m sure.” James paused, adding wryly, “That someone being me.”

Hannah’s bosom swelled with gratitude. She beamed up at him. “Oh, thank you, James! You won’t be sorry, I promise you.”

He held her gaze for a moment. “How can I be sorry when I’ve made you smile?”

“I often do smile.”

“Not like that,” he said. “Not at me.”

Her expression was dimmed by a trace of self-consciousness. “Haven’t I?”

“Never.” He turned the horses back onto the Bath Road. “When you came to stay at Beasley Park, I often saw you laughing and smiling with my brothers. I confess, I was envious of them.”

Hannah was certain he was being gallant. Her heart nevertheless skipped a beat.

To think that he’d been observing her even then! That he’d coveted her smiles! It was excessively romantic.

“Yes,” she said, “but Ivo and Jack laughed and smiled too. You never did. Indeed, I’d never heard you laugh at all until five minutes ago.”

This seemed to surprise him. “What? Never?”