I’d hoped not to have to tell him that I had let Amelia in on our secret, but now it was inevitable.
“I suppose a ride would be fine,” Lady Winfield agreed.
“Well then. It’s settled.” Damon tucked the crop under one arm and held out the other to beckon me. “Miss Kent?”
I rose from my seat to join him, and as we left the drawing room, he leaned close. “I believe you have some explaining to do, Miss Kent.”
Chapter Nine
I did not hurry tochange into my riding habit. The longer I took to get ready, the more I delayed explaining to Damon why I’d told Amelia about our charade.
When I finally emerged, Damon already waited at the bottom of the grand staircase. “Ah, Miss Kent. There you are.” He wore shades of gray and brown that might have looked plain on another man, but not on Damon; the earth-toned clothes complimented his dark, thick hair and highlighted the unusual warmth of his blue eyes. “I was beginning to think you’d changed your mind about joining me for a ride.”
“Not at all, my lord. A woman just needs time to prepare.”
“Napoleon could have prepared an entire regiment for war in the time it took you to get ready.”
“Napoleon.” I gaped at Damon’s vile comparison. “You don’t truly mean to compare me to such an abhorrent man asNapoleon, do you?”
Damon’s mouth quirked into an amused grin. “The analogy felt appropriate.” He gave me an unrepentant shrug.
With a frown, I turned on my heel to walk back up the stairs. We’d agreed to help one another, but that didn’t mean I had to tolerate his poor manners.
“You don’t want to do that,” Damon said.
I slowed my step but didn’t stop. “Don’t I?” I tossed the words over my shoulder.
“No. I’ve had a stallion prepared for your particular use.”
Excitement bubbled within me, but it wasn’t enough to overcome my pride. He’d compared me to Napoleon, for pity’s sake!
Damon cleared his throat. “And if that’s not enough to tempt you into joining me for a ride, I have it on good authority that Ollie’s had a groom prepare his horse.”
“Oh?” I stopped.
Damon nodded. “I expect my brother should be in the stables this very moment.” He held out his arm. “Shall we?”
It would take all my forbearance to endure this day in Damon’s company, but for a chance to see Ollie, I would endure. With a nod, I descended the stairs and begrudgingly took Damon’s arm. And as he held open the door for me to exit, his muscles flexed beneath my hand.
His strength surprised me. As a boy, Damon had not been athletic. He’d never even shown interest in sport, preferring to read books instead. It had been Ollie who climbed trees, swam in the river, and wrestled in the grass. But now, Damon’s strength was obvious; his breeches clung to his well-defined calf muscles, and his finely tailored coat fit snugly across his broad shoulders.
“Are your baskets full?” Damon’s voice startled me as we passed through the rose garden.
“Pardon?”
“You were woolgathering,” he said. “What has commanded your attention so completely?”
“It is nothing.” I set my gaze straightforward on the vast expanse of lawn before me, hoping he’d take no notice of my embarrassment, but my cheeks heated as if I had forgotten my bonnet on a midsummer’s day.
“You are a terrible liar.” He brushed his gloved fingers across my cheek.
I swatted at his hand, pushing him away.
Damon only laughed.
“If you must know, I was only admiring the fine cut of your coat.”
Damon glanced at the lapels of his coat and smiled. “Truly terrible.” He shook his head. “You should not even try.”
