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He set the wheel down and tipped his peaked hat at her. “Oi’m grateful, half’lin.”
She laughed and said, “Good luck, then.” She remounted her horse and threw over her shoulder as she started off, “And maybe you will smile the next time we chance to meet.”
So saying she rode past him, hurrying her pace, for by now, Nanny would be ready with her wagging finger!
~ Nine ~
THE EARL STOOD in his stirrups and stretched. A fingerpost sign indicated he was nearly at Wharton Place; however, he did not want to turn off until he was certain that Max was not far behind.
More than a few moments had already passed b
y, and with a thoughtful frown the earl started back down the road in search of his carriage.
Just about then, the earl rounded the bend in the road. His young gelding spooked at the sudden emergence of another steed coming right at him and veered sideways. As it happened, the earl had been relaxing his leg from the long ride and was caught off guard and nearly unseated.
As he recovered himself, Kitty slowed to apologize, but at that particular moment the earl’s temper got hold of his throat, and he thundered, “What in blazes do you think you are doing, you young scoundrel?”
Kitty’s chin went up. “Riding my horse, sir. And you?”
It was at this juncture that the earl realized that the young scoundrel was a female. He frowned and looked her over, thinking she was probably a servant and no doubt rushing to return to her duties. He immediately felt remorse but said, “Riding, eh? Is that what you call it, woman?”
Her green eyes narrowed, and he had a moment to discover that they were very fine eyes and that, in spite of her odd manner of clothing, she was a veritable beauty. “Yes, it is what I call it, though I am sorry for startling your prime gelding there. He is lovely, isn’t he?”
She certainly did not speak like a servant. What was this?
“Is it? Well, it is not very good riding!” he answered in what he thought was a bantering tone.
She evidently did not find him amusing and answered sharply, “Indeed. I can see from your loose seat why you might not recognize an accomplished rider, sir.”
He almost choked and did in fact laugh out loud. Fair-minded, he thought he rather deserved that. Right then, what sort of servant spoke to the gentry just so? This woman had a blade for a tongue. He would have prolonged their discourse had the young woman not gathered her reins, set her mare up for a jump, and lightly, easily flown over the ditch at the side of the road and then the fence-line at the field before vanishing out of sight.
The earl was both intrigued and amused. She certainly was an excellent rider with a fine seat as well as a very fine body, amply displayed in her tight britches. Lady Caro had donned britches and taken to horse, and on a public road, but … a servant? Who was this chit? Who the devil could she be? Well, he didn’t have the time to wonder about it, for he had to find Max and his carriage.
* * *
“So!” Nanny tapped her foot and folded her arms across her ample bosom. “You have decided to come home, have you?”
Kitty hurried across the library carpet and took Nanny’s shoulders in hand. “Don’t scold, Nanny. It is too lovely a day to be cross with me.” She sealed her words with a fond kiss on her nanny’s cheek.
Nanny, however, did not appear mollified, as she frowned and sniffed and said, “Don’t go blinking your pretty lashes at me, young lady. Tch, tch, not this time. Here I wait, alone, living in dread, ever since Mr. Harkins’ visit. The dowager and the Earl of Halloway could descend on us at any moment, and here you are in dirt and britches! I shan’t have it.” She sniffed. “They would think me totally inadequate of the job of duenna for you and no doubt turn me off … and I can’t bear it. How could I be separated from you? How—”
Kitty hugged her. “No one shall turn you off. Never. Over my dead body. You are with me, Nanny, for life. So free yourself of such a notion. I do, however, see your point. I would not like anyone to criticize you, and I shall immediately go up and bathe and change and be the demure country wench you wish me to be.” She made a face. “And honestly, I don’t see what all the fuss is about. I am only riding over my own land—”
“That is just it,” wailed Nanny. “It isn’t your land … is it?”
That was a depressing fact.
Kitty’s shoulders drooped a bit. “No … that is the sad truth.” She braced herself. “But Uncle did stipulate that I should be allowed to live here until I was married.” She snorted, apologized as Nanny glared at her, and hurriedly added, “Who knows if I will ever be married, so that could be forever.”
Nanny threw up her hands. “La, child … I don’t understand the way you think. Not get married? Nonsense.”
“Never mind. As you say, the earl and his grandmother could arrive at any moment, of any day, so I shall do the polite when they do, but first, I suppose I must call for a bath and my best day gown just in case today is the day. Which will it be? The yellow or the blue?”
“The green with the lace at the bodice.” Nanny smiled. “I do so like the look of it against that creamy skin, and do brush your hair until it looks like silk.”
Kitty inclined her head. “Yes, indeed … silk hair … why don’t I just cut a length of yellow silk and wear it?”
Nanny allowed her a restrained smile and, calmer now, said, “Go on, minx.”
