Page 34 of Christmas Comes to Little Valentine

She made a slight sound, like a muffled shriek, and clutched hold of the horse’s mane to steady herself as she glared down at him.

“Sorry,” he said, suspecting he did not look the least bit sorry, certainly if her expression was anything to go by. “I couldn’t help myself.”

Rolling her eyes at him, she smacked his hands away when he went to help her with her stirrup.

“I can do it,” she said tartly, proving her point with dexterous efficiency and twitching her skirts into place.

She sat perfectly, looking as if she had been born in the saddle and giving Nat that odd sensation of pride again, that felt both right and strange as it settled in his chest. Once he too was mounted, they trotted down the drive and out of the gates. They kept the pace up until they reached the church, where Meg slowed her mare to a walk so she might admire the building as they passed by.

“Did no one else wish to ride today?” she asked, bending to give her horse’s neck a pat.

“I think the others are going out shortly. They are being discreet and giving the lovebirds a little time to themselves,” he explained upon seeing her confusion.

“Oh!” She blushed and looked away.

“Well, it’s only natural that two recently engaged persons might wish to find time to be alone. Perhaps to find a quiet corner and—”

“Yes, I thank you, Mr Ashford,” she said, giving him the benefit of a chilly scowl. “I am not a complete ninny, and I do know when you are set on provoking me and putting me to the blush.”

“But you blush so prettily, Miss Bancroft, what is a fellow to do?” he asked her with a plaintive sigh.

“A fellow is to behave himself lest he wishes to find himself in a very dangerous situation,” she remarked.

“Females are dangerous,” he agreed conversationally.

She snorted. “You ought to know.”

He looked across at her in surprise. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“That you have exceptional taste and have always had an eye for a pretty girl, as your mama and your uncle felt bound to remark. One wonders how many pretty girls have fallen victim to your fatal charm,” she said dryly.

“Oh, not fatal, surely,” he retorted. “I may have given the odd heart a gentle bruise, but never did I give false hope or make promises I did not intend to keep.”

“How gallant you are.”

“I am, actually,” he said, nettled. “And before you go throwing aspersions at me, I never flirt with innocent girls.”

“You flirted with me!” she shot back, and then turned away, blushing.

Nat opened his mouth and closed it again. He had, hadn’t he? And was still doing so. He frowned, wondering what to say.

“Oh, don’t look so appalled. I know you mean nothing by it,” she said impatiently. “To men like you, I suspect it is as natural as breathing. I don’t expect you even knew you were doing it.”

He wanted both to demand what the devil she meant by ‘men like him,’ whilst admitting that he had not, but he had the irksome sense it wasn’t true. He had known full well and known he ought not to, but he’d done it anyway.

“I suppose you must do so,” she added uncertainly, slanting a glance at him. “For… verisimilitude.”

“Oh, yes, that’s the reason,” he muttered darkly. “Verisimilitude. I do know what that means, by the way.”

“I never doubted it!” she exclaimed crossly. “You’re the one that lets everyone believe you’re not very bright, not me. I know it’s just an act.”

He looked away from her, an odd sensation in his chest. If only that were true. If it were true, he might feel less unnerved by her, less… wrong-footed, or whatever it was she made him feel. He had no intention of giving the matter too much thought. Having spent his entire life ignoring things that made him feel uncomfortable, he was not about to start turning stones over now. Heaven alone knew what might crawl out and bite him.

He heard her sigh and turned back towards her.

“Let’s not quarrel,” she said. “I did not mean to vex you, I promise. I am having a splendid time, Dormouse is a perfect lady, and… oh, the town is so pretty. May we go down to the sea, do you think, and canter along the sand?”

“Of course,” he said, his uncertain mood disappearing in an instant now she was smiling at him.