Page 32 of A Game of Hearts

She heard Lord Limnwood’s curse, the thunder of hooves behind her as he gave chase. But all her attention was focused on staying mounted as Shadow crashed through the undergrowth. She tried to turn him, to check his headlong flight, but he simply ran faster.

Through the rush of wind in her ears, she heard Lord Limnwood’s voice. “Emma! Let him run - there’s a clearing ahead!”

She forced herself to relax her death grip on the reins, trusting him. Shadow’s pace began to slow, and soon they burst into an open space - the remains of what might once have been a garden, now grown wild with early spring flowers. Emma took a firm grip, and pulled Shadow into a turn, forcing him to slow even more for balance as they circled the clearing. Every step, she prayed that the horse would keep his footing on the uneven ground, but all was well. The gelding recovered from his fright, and began to respond as he should, training overcoming the moment of shock.

Lord Limnwood’s grey caught up to them as Shadow finally dropped to a walk, blowing hard. Without a word, Nathaniel reached across to place his hand on Emma’s as they brought both horses to a halt.

“Are you hurt?”

His voice was rough with what sounded like genuine fear.

“No.” But she couldn’t quite control her trembling. “Though I begin to think that you were right about Shadow being too challenging.”

“You handled him beautifully.” He dismounted in one fluid motion, moving to help her down. “Most riders would have lost their seat entirely.”

She lifted her right leg over the pommel, and sat fully sideways for a moment. Then, before she could simply slip to the ground, his hands settled at her waist and steadied her as she slid down. When her feet were firmly on the ground, he didn’t immediately let go. Emma found herself pressed against him, her hands on his shoulders, both of them breathing hard from more than just the wild ride.

“I thought...” His voice was barely a whisper. “When I saw him bolt with you...”

“I’m perfectly well, my Lord.” She looked up, and found his face much closer than she’d expected. “Though perhaps it is not entirely proper, being alone with you like this.”

“No.” But he didn’t step back. “Though for once, I find that I care rather less about propriety than about the fact that you’re safe.”

Emma’s breath caught at his words. His hands still rested at her waist, warm and steady, and she could feel the rapid beat of his heart where her palm now pressed against his coat.

“Yesterday morning,” she began hesitantly, “you seemed to care very much about propriety.”

His grip tightened slightly.

“Yesterday morning I was...” He broke off, studying her face. “When I saw Shadow bolt with you...”

“You were worried?”

She meant it to sound teasing, but her voice emerged soft, uncertain.

“More than worried.” His hand rose to brush a strand of hair from her cheek. “Emma...”

The use of her given name made her shiver. His eyes darkened at her response, and she knew that he was remembering their kiss from yesterday, just as she was. The proper thing would be to step away, to maintain distance between them. Instead, she found herself swaying slightly closer.

“We shouldn’t,” she whispered, even as her hands continued to rest against his chest.

“No.” But his other hand curved around her waist, drawing her nearer. “Tell me to stop.”

She couldn’t, didn’t want to. When his lips met hers, she melted into the kiss, feeling his sharp intake of breath at her response. This kiss was different from yesterday’s - slower, deeper, full of unspoken feelings that neither of them was ready to name.

When they finally drew apart, she saw her own confusion and desire reflected in his eyes. Something was growing between them, something that terrified and thrilled her in equal measure.

A distant call made them both start. Reality crashed back - they were alone, unchaperoned, and had just shared a highly improper embrace. The rest of the riding party must be searching for them.

“We should go back,” Emma said reluctantly. “Though... what will you tell them?”

“The truth.” He brushed a final kiss across her lips. “That Shadow bolted, that I caught up to you, and that we are both perfectly well.” His eyes sparkled. “Though perhaps we needn’t mention every detail of what occurred after the horses stopped.”

“And Lady Anne?”

“Will say what she wishes, as she always does.” His expression hardened slightly. “Though she would do well to remember that I have influence enough to make society question her observations rather than your behaviour.”

Emma touched his cheek gently.