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He made to stretch an arm along the back of the sofa and subsided at her aggrieved look. “I know nothing of the sort. I have never had such a thrilling partner.”
“You would be the first to claim such.” She would tear that sash did she not desist in worrying it.
“I will throttle any and all who would have you believe the contrary.”
Miss Templeton laughed, or tried to. “You would find no sport in taking on my cousins Rollo and Cecil, who would break into tears did you challenge them.”
“They sound revolting.”
“They are Odious and Querulous, respectively.”
A shared smile. “I shall vouch for your dancing. Do you sing? Play the pianoforte?”
“Music to soothe the savage breast—beast—uh?” She leapt up and fled to a window, the cart teetering in her wake.
“Just that.” He rose, as she had risen, but held his place.
“I have no talents in either direction.” She fiddled once more with the sash that showed off her delectable waist. “I sketch,” she allowed. “I am fond of drawing animals.”
“Animals?” He pretended to scoff. “A lowly subject.”
“I disagree. I find there is nothing nobler than the beasts of the field, the birds of the air. I admire their freedom to be themselves, despite many species having been domesticated by humans. I commend the way they take care of one another in their groups or herds.” She peeped at him, hesitant. “I speak of horses, in the main.”
“There is little that is natural regarding man’s treatment of the horse.”
“I do not disagree. Man owes civilization to horses and often repays them with mistreatment. I believe we can show true gratitude to the horse with conscientious husbandry. I believe our diligence in this matter will make the whole world a better place.”
“A bleeding heart.” He was baiting her, of course, and her defense of creatures both great and small thrilled him to the core.
“A beating heart, a heart that acknowledges the dignity of all sentient beings.” Her hazel eyes glowed like topaz with her passion.
“Had they any will of their own, they would not allow themselves to become subjugated by us.”
“I do not deny that there are many who would seek to subjugate so-called inferior creatures,” Felicity allowed, “but those who are sensitive will garner only the best from the animals in their care. If only we would learn from them.”
“A radical, bleeding heart.”
“Better a radical than one who stands by and does nothing. Better a bleeding heart than one that has turned to stone.” Miss Templeton scowled at him. “I know your kind, looking down on all around you, full of your position in life that was nothing more than an accident of breeding. Little separates you from the animals, Your Grace.”
“Oh, very little indeed,” he agreed, struggling to keep his composure. “But come, such a fuss over mere animals.”
“Mere animals?” She very nearly shrieked.
He went to meet her fury. “For why would we, who have speech and independence, care for beasts of burden or common house pets?”
“If it is speech that elevates us, only recall the numberless times that words have caused ill. Only think what is being said about me at this precise moment and tell me that language is something to be proud of.” Miss Templeton forgot herself so far as to fist her hands on her hips. “And as for free will? Those such as you, Your Grace,” she spat, imbuing a world of spite in his title, “those in the upper echelons of society may consider free will their birthright, but the majority do not have that luxury. Why must one species be found superior to the other? Why can we not live in harmony? Why must our own baser instincts cause our animals to be abused? How simple it would be to change our behavior, to make a difference.”
“It is all well and good my dear, but one woman? Make a difference? In the larger world?” By the Goddess, whatever she wanted, he would ensure she achieved it.
“Yes, one woman. One woman, who has the knowledge and the will. Knowledge and will are not the sole provinces of men.”
“And what do you speak of, then?” he challenged. “Training house cats? Bringing dogs indoors?”
“Well,” she hesitated. “Just for the sake of argument, mind. Horse breeding.”
“A gentleman’s time-honored pursuit—”
“A pursuit that has resulted in inbred mounts that, more often than not, do not live up to expectation and must be destroyed. Or result in unreliable beasts that end up hurting their riders or themselves.” Miss Templeton stood near enough to him to bite him on the chin. “All it would take is the cross of stock in such a way that would guarantee the best of both will out.”
