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He had not, in fact, even made the smallest attempt to court Shawna, thinking that she would be there waiting when he was ready.
That was then.
Now, a slip of a minx. A terror on horseback. A beauty with flashing green eyes and a tongue that could slice a man to the quick. This confusing, bewitching woman-child had him baffled.
The indomitable Miss Kingsley, whom he already thought of as Kitty, only Kitty, was making his head spin and his damnable cock ache and throb.
This would not do.
He had to keep her at arms’ length, because every time he looked at her he wanted to take her into his arms and kiss her from sun-up to sunset. What the
devil was wrong with him?
Kitty turned, and her green eyes glittered.
What was she thinking? Why should he care so very much?
Everything about her was intoxicating … her body and the way she moved …
He pulled himself together. He was standing in lieu of her guardian whether he was legally one or not, and he could not think like that.
Would such an outspoken creature scare off the lads?
Would she fall in love with any of the London lads presently on the market for a wife? He didn’t think so … and yet? Love?
Love? An irregular emotion that he was heartily glad he was completely and totally immune to feeling. He had never been in love. Close … but puppy love did not count.
Judging by what he had observed thus far in his life, he was well out of it. Time had certainly spared him. He enjoyed being free, even though at times it was wearing forever having to charm various beauties …
Thus far, the ladies whose company he enjoyed were usually widows or wives whose arrangements with their husbands allowed for discreet affairs. He had never dealt with a virgin and hoped he never had to.
He had a hard and fast rule that he never intended to bend. He stayed away from the innocents because he absolutely did not want to hurt a young and hopeful soul.
No. He was many things, but he was not a cruel man. Thoughtless, at times. A gamester, at times; a heavy drinker now and then … but never cruel.
Kitty was an innocent, and he would make damn sure no one hurt her while she was in his care. Where this came from, he wasn’t sure, but he found himself wanting to protect the little termagant. She too was many things. She was all spit and fire, but she, in spite of her personal desire to remain in the country and her dislike of him, had accepted being taken to London. She had done this in order to respect her guardian’s wishes. He also saw quite clearly that she would not stand in the way of his receiving his inheritance. In spite of her rough and tumble manners, the chit had heart and character and honor. He liked that.
She had taken offense at the things he had said, and she had been right to do so. What had moved him to be rude to her, he could not fathom, but he had been—very.
She wasn’t a twelve-year-old to be spoken to the way he had spoken to her. What devil had prompted him to behave in that manner?
They had gotten off to a rocky start, but perhaps he could repair that so they could move forward more comfortably?
* * *
Riding in silence beside one another was taking its toll on Kitty. Thus, when the earl finally spoke, she was ready to fall into conversation if only to relieve the odious tension she had been feeling.
“We must see about getting you a better sidesaddle before we leave for London, so that you may break it in and be comfortable during your rides in the park.”
“The park?”
“Hyde Park,” he said, smiling at her. “I think you will enjoy that as it serves two purposes. It will allow you to be seen and to see the beau monde during the fashionable hour. During the …” He paused to grin wickedly. “… unfashionable hour, you may give way to a little spirit and enjoy a controlled canter.”
“Ugh,” she groaned. “A controlled canter.”
He laughed. “Indeed, and you will have to get a riding habit more suited for the sidesaddle, as well—I see this one doesn’t have a loop you can hook up.”
“Oh, it does. I forgot to do it,” Kitty said innocently.
