“I see.” He skidded a little, and a grunt emerged as he caught his balance on a branch and tugged on the gash in his side.
“Are you all right? Did you open that wound?” She was at his side immediately, tugging him to a stop.
“I’m quite well. I merely slipped for a moment, and it pulled for a second.”
“We’ll get it properly tended to at the house,” she promised. “Our housekeeper has years of experience tending to all sorts of minor injuries.”
“Got into trouble a lot, did you?” He had to ask.
“Not just me,” she replied. “I have one brother, Ashe, he’s the eldest, an older sister, Cherry, and a not-identical twin sister, Willow. So you can imagine the sorts of injuries four children can experience, especially when loose in the woods in the summer.”
“What’s a not-identical twin?”
Her head turned and her eyebrows rose in disbelief. “It is just what it sounds like. I have a twin, but we’re not identical.”
“Oh.” Richard battled the urge to brush snowflakes off her shoulders.
“It’s much easier to say she’s my sister, but then there are all the ‘who’s the eldest?’ sorts of prying questions.”
He grinned. “Let me guess. Those would come from older ladies anxious to know which one of you is the most eligible?”
She sighed. “You are indeed correct. It is really quite lowering to be regarded as nothing more than breeding stock.”
“You are not alone in that situation, Miss Trease. I have met more than a few eligible ladies in my time, and yes, they were indeed paraded around very much like fine horses at Tattersalls, only with fortunes attached, rather than reins.”
She laughed, a lovely sound muffled a little by the large snowflakes. “Now that would be something, wouldn’t it? Young ladies led into Almack’s by reins, in order of rank, fortune, and bloodlines.”
He shook his head, enjoying her, watching her. She almost glowed with life, he thought, rather whimsically for him. Her intelligence was obvious, her interest in the world engaging, and she had a unique kind of beauty that would stand out in any crowd.
“Have you been to Almack’s?” He had to ask.
“No.” The reply was firm. “I have no desire to go to London, and although Mama is rather disappointed, she has promised not to press me about it.”
“And yet someday you will wed, will you not?”
“I don’t know.” She straightened her shoulders. “I haven’t really thought much about it.”
“Your not-twin sister…is she married?”
Holly stopped and turned around, facing him. “What is all this interest about our marital states?”
“I’m just making casual conversation, Miss Trease. You are extending the hand of hospitality to someone you’ve just met, so it behooves me to learn a little something about your family before you introduce me.”
“Hmph.” The sound was an interesting blend of irritation and disbelief. “Well, for your edification, my oldest brother, Ashe, is married, and he and his wife live in their own apartments here. At the moment, they’re visiting Cherry, my older sister, who wed the Duke of Belcaster not long ago. The plan is for everyone to come here for Christmas. And Willow…” she paused. “Actually, I’m not sure where Willow is.” She shrugged. “But I’m sure she’ll be here before the day itself.”
“Christmas,” muttered Richard. “God, I’d almost forgotten.”
“I assume you have family you’ll be seeing at that time?”
“Er, yes. Possibly. I think so. I’m not sure.”
Fortunately, before Holly could pursue that line of questioning—as he felt absolutely sure she would—lights appeared through the now heavily falling snow.
“Ah. Would this be our destination?”
“It is indeed,” she said. “Welcome to Forest Grange, Mr Hawkesbury. Be prepared for a thorough inquisition by my Mama.”
He sighed. “Of course, Miss Trease. Whatever you say.”
