He leaned against the doorframe. “You’re not the first person to pay me that compliment.”
“And yet it took you several questions before you came to a conclusion.”
He smiled bemusedly. “Yes, well. A man can never be too certain of a lady’s mind.”
“Seeing as you are now informed, you had best leave me to pack. If Papa and I are to reach the inn by nightfall, I must make haste.” I turned my back to him and gazed at the contents in my trunk. My riding habit sat atop the pile. “It is a shame this will go unused,” I said to Nora. “I was so looking forward to riding the hills.”
On my previous visits, Ollie and I had been too young to do anything more than trot in the open pastures, but now that we were all grown, I’d dreamed of riding the hills together at a gallop.
“Perhaps you should stay then.”
I glanced up and found Damon still at my door. “No,” I said. “Now if you will excuse me?”
“I think not.” Damon crossed his arms.
Had he nothing better to do than goad me? “What is it you want, Damon?”
“Originally, to inquire as to why you didn’t join us in the breakfast room this morning. But seeing as that question has been answered, I’m now here to stop you from leaving.”
“My mind is made up.”
“We shall see.” Damon turned to Nora. “Is Miss Kent looking a little . . . fatigued to you?”
Nora glanced at me. “No, my lord.”
Damon tapped the toe of his boot against the doorframe. “I must disagree with you. I do believe your mistress is about to faint. You must trust me in this matter; I have experience with swooning women.”
Nora smiled. I shot her a look of disapproval, and she quickly sobered.
Damon stood tall then, filling the doorframe with his form. “Will you be ever so kind—I’m sorry, what is your name, miss?”
“Nora, my lord.”
“A lovely name.”
She blushed, and I frowned at Damon.
“Nora, won’t you please bring a tray for your mistress?” he asked.
Nora’s gaze moved from Damon to me. She looked unsure, but I couldn’t tell if she was questioning the propriety of the situation—leaving Damon and me alone was not strictly proper—or trying to decide whether her loyalty should lie with her mistress or with Damon, future lord and master of this estate.
Hating to see her in such a position, I said, “Lord Jennings is correct. I’m suddenly quite fatigued from this conversation and require refreshment if I am to endure.”
“Yes, miss.” Nora bobbed a curtsy and quit the room.
I turned back to my open trunk, knowing Damon could—and likely would—carry on the conversation without any effort on my part.
“I had hoped after last night we’d made some progress repairing our relationship,” Damon said.
“Asking me to dance was the act of a gentleman, and I thank you for that.”
“But . . . ?”
“You made me eat frog legs, and I should never forgive you for that.”
His lips lifted at the corners. “Which is precisely why I can’t let you leave. I must make amends. My reputation cannot endure the least bit of tarnish.”
“I have never known you to care one whit for your reputation.”
