She grinned. “Yes indeed.”
With a click of his heels, Harry spurred on his horse and noted that Willow did the same beside him. He kept the pace steady, so as not to wind the beasts too soon, but as the sun emerged from the clouds, he pushed his worries aside and simply enjoyed the sensation of a good horse, a clear road, a sunny morning, and the woman he loved by his side.
A fiery kind of joy billowed up through his heart as he admitted the truth to himself, and settled into the knowledge that somehow he was going to marry Miss Willow Trease, and make their informal union as formal as it could get.
Shooting a quick glance at her, he smiled at her expression of delight; she stayed beside him, her hair blowing around her face, leaning forward just a little as she urged the horse onward. What a woman she was. And how lucky he’d realised that before some other chap snatched her up.
His mind wandered over a variety of topics as they rode, staying together and slowing now and then to rest the horses and let them drink from nearby streams. At least two hours had passed, by his calculations, when they finally reached the outskirts of town, and Harry reined in.
“We have made excellent time,” he smiled. “Not far to go now, but we’ll have to slow down. There will be carriages and wagons ahead.”
Willow nodded. “I think the horses will appreciate going a bit slower,” she patted the neck of her mount. “Do you know the way from here? Through London?”
He gave a quick nod. “We’ll head for the Westminster Bridge, cross the river there, and after that, it’s a short jaunt past Green Park to our destination.”
“And that is?”
“A private home, Willow. We will quietly ride around to the back, and there our horses will be taken and cared for. I expect there’ll be a maid or two for you as well.”
She straightened. “I see. Your wife and your mounts are tended to, while you go on and do your incredibly important business elsewhere.”
“That is correct.”
“And will I ever be allowed to know the nature of that business?”
“Were it my decision, yes. But it’s not. Please understand that.”
She thought about that. “All right. But at some point in the future, when it is safe to do so, will you tell me the truth?”
“Perhaps,” he smiled. “And that’s the best I can do for now. Let’s move on and put an end to this ride.” And this business.
Chapter Twelve
In Which Important Matters are Concluded with a Surprise Revelation
Willow hated to admit she was tired, but in reality she knew she was exhausted. So when Harry finally led them to a modest home on Audley Street, and they rode down the mews beside it, she could only heave a sigh of relief.
At one doorway, two men stood ready, and although they took the horses, and rendered assistance to both herself and Harry as they dismounted, it was pretty clear that neither were stable hands.
However, she kept her thoughts to herself and simply thanked them as she found her footing on the bricks that paved the yard.
“Come along.” Harry held out his hand. “I know you’re tired. So am I. But soon we’ll be done here.”
She nodded and instead of his hand, took his arm. “We’re in London. Best we observe the proprieties.”
He led them both into the house.
Unlike a regular home, there were no servants waiting in the entryway to relieve them of their coats. That didn’t happen until they had climbed a set of stairs and ended up in the formal foyer, where another footman nodded and took their outerwear.
His silence and efficiency made her a tiny bit uncomfortable, and she stood uneasily by as Harry shed his coat and straightened his jacket.
A door opened and an older gentleman emerged.
“Harry, m’boy. Good to see you. Heard you had a spot of bother down south?”
“I did, sir. Which is why I’m so damned late…”
“You have it, though?”
