She glanced outside to see sunshine. “Oh my goodness. Yes, we must be off.”
“Still want to set tongues wagging? I can send you home with a footman, you know. Nobody need be aware of our morning rendezvous.”
She rose and gave him a look of disbelief. “You think I would back down?”
“Forgive me. I should have known better.”
Shaking out her skirts, she snorted. “You barely know me at all, so I shall let it pass. It’s unlikely you’re aware I never renege on anything.” Moving to the door, she glanced over her shoulder. “Well, come on then.”
She didn’t see his grin as he rose and followed her.
“No I don’t know you well, stubborn chit.Yet. But I will.”
She didn’t hear that, either.
*~~*~~*
The drive back to town was accomplished in a companionable silence, which was acceptable to Max for several reasons.
Mostly because it gave him time to collect his impressions of Kitty Ridlington; to consider their private breakfast and review the things he’d learned about her over tea and toast.
He guessed she was busy with her own thoughts, since her eyes wandered over the countryside and yet seemed more focussed inward than on the changing landscape through which they drove.
For himself, he let his mind absorb several facts about her. She was a great deal more intelligent than others of her status. The young women near her age, most of whom were already married, showed none of the intellectual capacity, wit or humour, that were an integral part of Kitty. She could hold a conversation, return jest for jest, and showed a ready grasp of concepts and ideas, to the point where she would voice her own opinions without hesitation.
He had to wonder if she had not been bored to tears during her London tenure.
He also admired that lift of her chin. It came in to play when she was making an assertion, defending some point of view, or in response to something she perceived as a challenge.
He admired her honesty in that there was no pretense or prevarication in her manner. She looked one straight in the eye without hesitation.
In short, Max realized she was indeed close to his ideal woman. Would he do well to wed her? The thought crossed his mind, as it had done several times in the past when he’d met someone slightly out of the ordinary run of things. Someone interesting enough to intrigue him.
Unfortunately, those experiences had not survived the hints he’d dropped about some of his personal preferences. A couple of ladies had frowned in confusion and moved away from his circle. Others had been shocked or perturbed at his veiled suggestions.
He wondered what Kitty’s response might be.
“Do you think anyone will be abroad?”
Her voice interrupted his thoughts at an inappropriate moment. He was just about to imagine her naked and lashed to his bedposts. “Abroad?”
She frowned. “Yes, Max. Abroad. As in riding up and down Hyde Park.”
“Oh.” He chastised himself. “Sorry, my mind was elsewhere.” He glanced at the sky. “I believe we shall be in luck and find at least a few carriages out.”
“Well that’s good.” She folded her hands. “One cannot create scandalous gossip if the only things to observe the event are pigeons.”
“Indeed.” He grinned. “I’ve also found that any time single gentlemen like to enjoy a good gallop early in the day, which is of course quite inappropriate, there will be more than a few ladies managing to accidentally be there observing the disgraceful behavior.”
“It sounds as if you speak from experience,” she flashed him a quick smile.
“Me?” He managed to sound shocked.
“Oh really, Max. Give over, do.”
“Well, all right then. I have been known to take the air at dawn in Rotten Row. Along with the grooms and jockeys. If the weather’s right, it’s a most appealing gallop.”
She sighed. “I’m not a good rider, so I’ll take your word for it.”
