I set my gaze on the stable ahead. It had never seemed so far away. Wanting to change the subject, I blurted, “I told Amelia of our arrangement.”
“I gathered as much,” Damon said. “Though I cannot guess at your strategy. May I askwhyyou told her?”
“She was kind to me at the ball, and we became fast friends,” I explained. “It did not feel right keeping this information from her, not after she confided in me.”
“What did she confide in you?”
“You must know she has set her cap for you.”
“Ifthatis your criteria for deciding who should know of our plan, then I fear you will have to tell every young lady in England of our scheme.”
I rolled my eyes, and I did not even care that it was unladylike. “You are the most arrogant man with whom I have ever conversed.”
Damon said nothing in response. I couldn’t guess at his feelings. After some time had passed in silence, I grew uncomfortable.
I cleared my throat. “Are you angry with me for telling Amelia?”
“Anger is a rather unbecoming emotion,” Damon said.
“You did not answer my question.”
“I am not angry, but I do hope Miss Atherton is a better liar than you have proved.”
As did I.
When we finally reached the stable, Damon stopped before we turned the corner to the entrance. He studied my face and frowned.
“What is it?” I touched one hand to my cheek.
“That expression will not do. You must at leastpretendyou are enjoying my company. Perhaps you could smile.”
“Perhapsyoucould say something worth smiling about.”
He laughed lightly. “I am no Wordsworth, but I could allow you to admire the cut of my coat again. Would that tempt a smile from you?”
My face warmed, and I pressed my lips firmly together.
“Notquitethe expression I hoped for, but the rosy color in your cheeks should serve our purposes well enough.” Damon tucked my hand into the crook of his arm and led me inside the stable house.
Just as Damon predicted, Ollie stood in the long corridor. He didn’t look up when we entered. He must not have heard us over his conversation with the groom.
“Brother,” Damon called.
Ollie turned. His gaze landed first on Damon, then shifted to me. “I forgot you were riding together today.”
Damon’s gaze slid to the horses saddled and waiting for us. “I’m surprised our readied horses didn’t serve as a reminder.”
Iwasn’t surprised in the least; Ollie had never been very observant. He was always in much too great a hurry to execute whatever mission he was on to give regard to the things around him.
“Yes, well.” Ollie cleared his throat. “Seeing as there are twostallionssaddled, and no gentle mare, I could hardly have been expected to remember.”
The groom took a step back, as if worried he had made an error.
“I see no issue,” Damon said.
Ollie frowned. “Are you daft? Hannah cannot ride a stallion.”
“Whyever not?” I asked.
