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She shooed this away and said breathlessly, “Thank you … dismounting from a sidesaddle is something I am still trying to get the hang of.”
“The sidesaddle was made for a woman to look to a man to help her alight,” the earl said, and Kitty stared, for his voice sounded husky and …
“Come,” he said and took her gloved hand as the groom arrived and took their horses to be watered and pastured. “We have a few things we must do before we make ready to depart.”
“When do we depart?”
“As soon as we may,” he answered and smiled at her.
When, Kitty wondered, had he become so charming? Where had all his censure of her gone? Why was her heart beating so fast?
* * *
It was early evening when Kitty was once again clothed in britches and boots. Her old suede short coat kept the chill off her back as she sat along the edge of the wide, rushing stream and watched the water bubble over the rocks. She loved it here. She loved this creek that ran through Wharton land.
She cast her fishing line, but the truth was she wasn’t concentrating on the sport, one that had given her so much pleasure in the past.
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Life was changing. No more peaceful fishing, no more wild gallops. No more britches. No more sitting with Cook in the kitchen and sampling delicious foods as she bubbled away telling Cook about her adventures.
She had come to see, however, that unlike her first impression, the earl was really a good man. She had broached the subject of the servants to him earlier, saying that they were all wonderful at their jobs and … she hoped he would see his way to keeping them all on when he took over at Wharton.
“Of course,” he had answered, his face displaying surprise and then softening in such a way that she thought she saw … compassion. “Kitty, I mean to keep everyone on and, in fact, increase their wages. Harkins advised me that they have not been paid well in years. The wonder is that they remained, for even from my short visit I find each and every one of my late uncle’s employees quite skilled at their jobs.” He eyed her and added, “And I know you must have formed … attachments. You will always be welcome here at Wharton, you know, always.”
She had been momentarily stunned. She had believed she might never again see the people she loved so dearly. Relief flooded her mind and eased her body, and before she knew what she was doing, she had flung her arms around the earl and told him, “Thank you, thank you, my lord, how very good of you … I … you … I … oh …” and then she had run from the room to have herself a good and happy cry.
After that, she had changed and rushed about telling everyone that their jobs were secure and that the earl meant to increase their wages.
Now, sitting by the stream, she was filled with a series of mixed emotions.
A sound brought her head up and around to find a familiar, tall, and lithe young woman picking her way towards her. She smiled a warm welcome. “Ree, what a wonderful surprise. Whatever brings you here at this time of day?” Even as she asked the question, it occurred to Kitty that her friend was looking blushingly radiant. She moved over some and said, “Here, sit beside me—it’s dry.”
“Oh Kitty, I need to talk to you,” Henrietta said as she dropped down beside her and adjusted her riding skirt.
Kitty glanced at Ree’s horse, who grazed idly near the tree it was tethered to, and, satisfied, gave her friend a raised brow and said, “Do you?”
“You know, both Harry and Clayton escorted me home …” Ree said, her lashes fluttering.
“Yes, I know. We met them as we were returning home,” Kitty told her, marveling to herself at how breathless her friend appeared to be. She gave her a wicked look and said, “What were you doing with the two handsome bucks, my girl?”
Ree laughed. “Kitty, you wretch. It was just a bit gratifying and tremendously awkward to be flanked by two such men, you know.”
Kitty laughed. “However did my shy Ree survive two bucks at once?”
“Well, as to that, it wasn’t so very difficult because one of those bucks, as you call them, was Harry.”
Kitty did not miss the dreamy look that came over her friend’s face and laughed out loud before saying, “Indeed, finally. I have suspected that Harry has a tendre in your direction.”
“Why would you say so?” Henrietta asked hopefully.
“Because whenever the two of us are together, there he suddenly appears and tags along, and it is not for my company but yours. Obvious.” She shook her head.
“I have always believed it was you … who held his interest,” Ree said after a long intake of air.
Kitty choked on a word before she waved this off and managed to say, “Friends. ’Tis all we have ever been.”
“Kitty—do you think he actually does … I mean … do you think … Harry …?”
