“Oh. Of course.” Anne’s face flamed at her presumption. How foolish he must think her!
Clearly noticing her unease, he groaned. “I’m an idiot.”
“No, I am. I knew they were medicinal. I don’t know why I jumped to the wrong conclusion.”
No doubt to ease their mutual embarrassment, he said, “Well, I’m sure you already know chamomile makes a soothing tea and aids with inflammation. Also, lavender-scented bed linen is said to aid sleep. I thought we might try a few additional remedies and perhaps in time cut back on her nightly laudanum.”
“I see, yes. Very considerate. Thank you again.” She picked up the pestle and looked down into the mortar to hide her blush. She continued grinding until his footsteps retreated and the herbs were all but dust.
Later that morning, Lady Celia asked Anne to take Louie for a walk—one of her new duties, apparently. Anne didn’t mind. She liked dogs, and she liked the out-of-doors.
Anne clipped a lead to his collar and took him downstairs and outside for a walk around the extensive grounds—down stone steps, over manicured lawns, past trees, gardens, and a few outbuildings. She glanced up and noticed Lady Celia’s small balcony overlooking one side of the house and the gravel drive and wondered if she ever used it.
On her way back, Anne heard strange sounds and familiar voices and followed them. Rounding the corner of the house, she heard more distinctly thethwackof arrows striking targets and the companionable conversation between Colonel Paine and Miss Fitzjohn as they practiced with good-natured competitiveness.
Two archery targets were mounted on straw bales and set up on the side lawn near the woodshed, where the equipment was apparently kept.
While his cousins shot, Mr. Dalby was reclining on a nearby bench, looking sleepy or perhaps the worse for too much drink the night before.
Between shots, Colonel Paine pulled arrows from a quiver staked into the ground at his feet. Katherine retrieved hers from a hip quiver hanging from a belt at her waist. They took turns nocking arrows into position, taking aim, and releasing, both of them hitting quite close to the center of their respective targets.
Thwang. Fuhht.One by one the arrows flew into the targets with asnap.
Anne was not surprised to see the colonel’s skill but was impressed that Miss Fitzjohn’s seemed to equal his. Anne had seen her practice alone, but this was the first time she’d seen her compete with someone.
Jasper looked over and noticed her. “Ah, Miss Loveday.” He raised a hand in greeting. “Have any archery experience?”
“I am afraid not.”
“Come and have a go.”
“That’s all right. I’ll just watch for a few minutes before I take the dog in.”
“Try one arrow.”
“Oh, very well.” Anne walked over, handed Louie’s lead to Mr. Dalby without a word, and then joined Jasper, who extended his bow to her. He showed her how to hold it and how to position the arrow.
“Now, pull the bowstring back.”
Anne tried but could not do so. “Goodness! This is harder than I would have thought.”
“Don’t feel too bad,” Miss Fitzjohn said. “I could not do it either when I first began. I was sure Jasper would give up on me as a pupil before I finally mastered it.”
“That was years ago, Kat, and now your skill surpasses mine.”
“I’ve had more time to practice while you were away fighting wars.”
He winced at that but made no reply, once again focusing on Anne. “Try once more,” Jasper encouraged her. “I’ll help you.”
He stood beside her and placed his hand beneath hers on the grip. He reached around her and helped her pull the bowstring.
“Elbow up, like this.”
Anne felt her neck heat, self-conscious with him standing at her back. Quite close.
Mr. Dalby teased, “If that’s how it’s done, perhaps I ought to take up the sport just so I might teach young ladies.”
“I think you’ve taught enough ladies as it is,” Jasper muttered.
