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“Perhaps it was too much for this first time,” Kitty added.
“I do think that I enjoy it, though my heart keeps racing at the thought of climbing on and off the beast. I believe I’m over my initial trepidation.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” Michael grinned. Even though he knew she only meant the horseback riding, he imagined her innuendo, picturing her straddling his hips. He had to remind himself not to stare, undressing her in his mind.
“How was your trip to Wexford yesterday?” Kitty asked.
“Mr. Weller is a most enduring man,” Lydia said happily. “I believe I’ll be very happy to call him brother-in-law by the end of the Season.”
“Your mother must be delighted,” Joseph said.
“I haven’t heard from her yet,” Lydia said. “My sister Trinity has been keeping me up to date on the happenings in London. Of course, you remember her letter, yesterday.”
“Has the viscount prompted a discussion on the marriage settlements yet?” Joseph asked Michael.
“I think he has been thoroughly occupied by Lionel and Ranora. I think he has forgotten his purpose of being in Marigold altogether,” Michael laughed. “Before long, the fortnight will have passed, and he will realize that it’s too late.”
“Did you put your uncle up to it?” Lydia asked.
“Ask him to distract your uncle? No, I did not. However, I did very much encourage their friendship.”
“It’s been nice to have both mother and father thoroughly distracted as well,” Joseph added. “They have been much more solitary as of late, so it is well to see them out and about. My lady, are you fond of your uncle?”
She shrugged, saying, “I do not know him very well. He lived in the country until my father passed away last year. He is not very social, either, and has not been very understanding with my mother and sisters in our current situation.”
“Those are harsh words,” Kitty said, dabbing her lips with a napkin. “Especially for a man that has offered charity to your family.”
“Charity?” Lydia asked, taken aback. “He has threatened to throw us out on the street if my mother will not marry him. How is that charity? I would call it blackmail.”
Joseph interjected. “I can see how that would not endure you to him. He is not cruel, though, is he?”
“No, not that I have seen,” she answered as she picked up a dessert. “These puddings are delightful.”
“I wouldn’t allow any cruelty to stand,” Michael said sternly, seeing Lydia’s shocked expression at his tone. Trying to be softer, he added, “I would seek justice for anyone that experienced cruelty, no matter how small or my relationship to the person.”
“You are terribly kind to the less fortunate,” Kitty cooed. “I remember the time you punished a man in the village for beating his wife. You were quite the hero.”
He tried to ignore the mooing eyes that Kitty made at him, distracting himself by taking a long sip of wine.
“What sparks such generosity in your heart for such matters?” Lydia asked, turning towards him. He saw Joseph and Kitty exchange a knowing look, while Lydia faced him with an innocent expression on her face.
“My father was not a kind man,” he noted. “And he was very powerful, such that no one could stand up to him. So, with my title and authority, I do what I can to protect those that cannot protect themselves.”
Seeing her expression change from interest to admiration, he looked away. He disliked when a woman mooned at him as though he was a hero for his actions, when he simply felt that he was doing what he should. Worse, he hated when people pitied him for the violence that he endured.
“A new subject, please,” he begged. “Or shall we head back to Marigold?”
