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A warm hand firmly landed on Jo’s lower back, and then Richard stepped closer, successfully dislodging Lord FitzWalter’s hand. Jo’s heart fluttered in her chest, and warmth traveled through her left side. He took another step and was now standing between Jo and the botanist.
“Gage,” Lord FitzWalter said unenthusiastically. His gaze flew to Richard’s hand, which now protectively sat on the small of Jo’s back.
“FitzWalter. I hope I did not interrupt a scintillating conversation. Did I?”
“No, absolutely not. I was just inviting Miss Claremont for a walk.”
Richard turned toward Jo, his gaze oddly intent. “Miss Claremont,” he said an octave lower. “I trust you rested well during the night?”
Jo swallowed, her pulse fluttering in her neck. “Yes. Thank you, my lord.”
“What do you think?” he said, not taking his gaze off her.
Jo couldn’t quite look away either. “About what?”
He smiled slowly, his gaze knowing. “A walk.”
“Oh.” Jo licked her lips and smiled. She turned toward Lord FitzWalter, whose existence she had completely forgotten about for a brief moment. “Of course, I would be delighted.”
“Splendid,” Richard said in a low voice, his gaze moving to Jo’s lips. He disengaged from her suddenly and turned toward the rest of the guests on the patio. “Who else wants to join Lord FitzWalter on an excursion? He is promising to share with us some spectacular knowledge about the flora on this wonderful estate.”
Lord FitzWalter grimaced—he obviously intended a more intimate affair—while Jo sighed with relief. The last thing she wanted was to get stuck in the forest with Lord FitzWalter.
A walk with Lord Gage, however, promised to be interesting.
* * *
The party ventured out for a walk immediately after breakfast. Ladies strapped on their bonnets against the harsh sun, gentlemen equipped themselves with their walking sticks, and even Button was excitedly running in circles around the guests. Lord FitzWalter was stopping by every flower and describing to everyone who’d listen the meaning of each and every one of them, how they sprung to life, what kept them alive, why their colors were the way they were, and many other interesting, albeit tiresome details.
Jo listened to a couple of lectures from the man and then disengaged from his followers, seeking her own amusements.
A few people might have been actually interested in learning what Lord FitzWalter had to say, but most of the ladies in his group were just young women pretending fascination in hope that the young gentleman would one day look at them with the same fire in his eyes as he looked upon the flora.
Jo had to admit that he was a handsome man, with his shy smile and awkward advances. He was an agreeable gentleman but was not the kind of man she would find captivating.
Perhaps, to her own detriment, the men she found attractive were forward, arrogant, and with an obvious charm that oozed out of them every time they spoke.
Just then, the low voice of just such a specimen sounded behind her. “Got bored with the old man’s ramblings, did you?”
Goosebumps stole up her arms. Richard’s voice always had such an effect on her. “He is not old, and neither is he boring.”
“Hm, and yet you ran away from him as if running from the plague.” He caught up to her and was now walking beside her, matching her steps.
Jo scoffed. “I did not do such a thing. I find that man quite fascinating.”
“Do you now?” He raised a brow.
“I do.” Jo raised her skirt to step over a fallen log. “For one thing, he is gentleman enough to assist a lady when walking through rough terrain like this.”
“Rough terrain?” Richard theatrically squinted at the clear path. “If you find this terrain rough, I fear for your ladylike sensibilities were you ever to walk through the heart of London. Besides, I rather thought that you preferred independence and not having to rely upon a gentleman in any situation.”
“Well, if I can’t find a gentleman to assist me in a task as simple as this, then what do I even need a gentleman for?” Jo stifled a chuckle. Sparring with the man had her cheeks burning and her entire body heating.
Richard offered his arm just before a small boulder appeared in their path. Jo raised a brow, then skirted the boulder, refusing his help.
“Ah, but when I do offer assistance, you refuse it.”
“Only because you did it reluctantly.”
