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The response had the intended effect, as Lockhart’s smirk fell into a frown. “I was merely perturbed at having lost the rare opportunity to cajole the impossible mark I’ve been given. I’m terrified to know what punishment you have in mind in the likely chance of my failure, Thurmont.”
“You’ll have to wait and see at the end of July,” Thurmont replied with a gleeful grin. The man was taking far too much pleasure in Lockhart’s suffering. Deciding to get some air and free himself from any further scrutiny, Nathan set down his cue with a nod to Derry. “I concede defeat. I think we both know the game is a lost cause.”
Derry shrugged. “Very well.”
“I think I might enjoy a walk,” Nathan called to the others. Lockhart and Thurmont were arguing again, but the former gave him a distracted wave to signal that they wouldn’t be coming along.
“The moon is full tonight,” Kirkwood said, pulling the book from his face at last, if only for a moment. “The lake will be beautiful, as you well know.”
“Thank you, Kirkwood,” Nathan said as the marquess shoved his nose back into his reading after nodding. He turned to Derry. “And you?”
“I’m tired from the long journey, but thank you. You look like you need some time to yourself, regardless.”
“Yes, I think I do.” After a last farewell to his rowdy friends, Nathan made his way outside. Deciding to go along with Kirkwood’s implicit suggestion, he walked through the gardens and made his way towards the lake path. The moon was indeed full, and the air crisp. He took a refreshing inhale of the summer grass scent as he walked, the soothing hum of crickets lulling him into relaxation. Andrew had enjoyed night walks, and Nathan often accompanied him as a child. The memories of his brother sneaking into the nursery, cakes hidden in his waistcoat whilst he cajoled Nathan to join him for stargazing, were some of his most precious. It was time taken well for granted by his foolish adolescent self. There was a flash in his mind of the last time they’d spoken, of the harsh, petulant words passed between them, and Nathan took another bracing inhale to keep the wave of dark sadness at bay.
He finally reached the large hill that hid the lake, so similar to the one on his own estate where he and Andrew had stared at the stars. He blinked at the figure standing atop it, and for a moment thought his brain had conjured the spectre of his dead brother. But no, the silhouette was feminine and familiar. He stopped in his tracks at Miss Hughs, her form illuminated by the moon and bracketed by the stars. The mere sight of her sent his despairing heart fluttering, and Nathan had no idea what to do about it.
ChapterNine
Nathan had startedthe walk back for only about a minute before hearing the distinct sound of footsteps following him. He didn’t stop despite the hurried pace with which he was being pursued.
“Milton, wait,” Miss Hughs rasped behind him, her voice breathless from her trot.
Knowing it was futile to ignore her, he stopped and turned around. She wore only a pale walking dress that all but glowed in the silver moonlight. Her hair was uncovered, tendrils falling from her chignon as she took several deep breaths. He watched the rise and fall of her chest, momentarily transfixed by the creamy skin illuminated under the moon. “What is it?” His words came out harsher than intended.
She was close enough now that he could see the details of her face. Her brow scrunched. “I…”
“You?” he prompted, putting an impatient hand on his hip. Her reasons for following him were a mystery, and he almost resented the fact that she’d intruded on his walk and thrown him out of sorts with her glorious presence. Her current behavior was entirely at odds with what he’d assumed her feelings for him were, and he was growing impatient with his inability to know where they stood.
Miss Hughs squared her shoulders and cleared her throat. “I wish to discuss what happened the other day.”
“You mean the kiss?”
There was a pause before she continued, her voice a tad more steady. “Yes. I’ve been trying to speak with you regarding the matter, but you seem determined to avoid me.” She sounded irritated with him, which was perplexing.
“Is that not what you wanted?”
She huffed. “What I wanted was to work out whatever this—” She waved a hand between them. “—thisthingis between us.”
He flicked a brief glance back to the house. They were close enough that one might see their shadows in the moonlight, and considering the gaggle of ladies he’d nearly stumbled into a few minutes earlier, this spot on the path was not private. “This is not a good place to have such a conversation.” Perhaps the course of action he was about to suggest would be a mistake, but Nathan could think of no other solution. “Follow me.”
For a moment, he wondered if she would even do so, but after a few seconds of walking, he could hear her light steps trailing behind him without complaint. He made his way to the back of the house, being sure to stay hidden in the shadows once they got closer to the monstrous structure. It was a path Nathan was long familiar with, having taken part in many a forbidden late night outings with Thurmont and the others during their boyhood. Miss Hughs said nothing as they walked, only her stiff footsteps in gravel as they traversed the side of the house interrupting the silence. He almost wished she would speak, if only to break the awkward tension building between them. Finally, they reached the back gate to the gardens. He undid the latch and held it open with a flourish. “After you.”
Miss Hughs paused on the threshold. “We really shouldn’t meet like this.”
“And yet, here we are,” he replied. The time to return and come and gone. If she was going to give him the opportunity to talk, then he would seize the moment and not give her a chance to run from him again. “No one will come upon on us back here so late in the night,” he assured. The dark, winding paths of Thurmont’s purposefully wild garden would be unappealing for anyone who wasn’t up to some secret business, making the chances of someone coming upon them unlikely. He hadn’t seen any light in the house during their trek, and most others wanting a moonlit walk would likely choose the same path that the other ladies had. Nathan hoped for the frolicking women’s sake that no else had come up with the same idea as he had done.
“I’m not sure if that is a good or a bad thing.” She spoke playfully, but the implication hung in the air between them, forcing him to swallow a swift wave of warmth.
Inwardly berating himself to stay on task, Nathan followed her through the gate as she finally walked through it. “You needn’t worry on that front,” he said. “You made your disgust of me quite clear.”
She stopped, so suddenly that he’d nearly slammed into her back, and whirled on him. “Why in the world would you think that?”
Once more, he couldn’t help but to admire how the moonlight shone over her luminous skin, her paleness emphasizing those wide, mesmerizing brown eyes before the meaning of her words hit him. “You liked it.”
“I didn’t say that,” she replied hotly. Though he couldn’t see it in the dim light, somehow Nathan knew she was blushing.
“You implied it,” he shot back, crossing his arms with a triumphant smile even as his mind reeled.
