He shook his head and placed her in the saddle, guiding her hands to the pommel. His own hands were gloved, but when she hoped he might swing up behind her, he stepped back. He placed one hand over his heart, then bowed to her, blowing her a kiss when he straightened.
“You give me your promise that all will be well?” she guessed, her heart warming.
He nodded with an authority she could not doubt, then waited, one hand up, for her decision.
Helena took a fortifying breath, wishing she could see his eyes, wishing she knew his identity. She looked up at the moon and the stars, certain she had never shared so wondrous a moment with anyone, and did not wish for it to end.
She might discover who he was.
She fixed him with a look. “I will go, but only for a short ride, and only because you have promised to defend my welfare.”
He bowed again, then turned to lead the horse away from the cottage.
Although she was disappointed that he did not ride with her, Helena appreciated his choice. She felt safe in his company, even without knowing his name, her mysterious stranger who kissed so ardently but did not speak.
Did she think he would recognize her voice?
Did she know him?
She studied him, struck again by the similarity of his dimensions and posture to the viscount. But he could not be Viscount Addersley, could he?
He led the horse away from Bramble Cottage, away from the road, away from all the locations Helena already knew. There were only fields and hills in this direction, at least as far as she could see from her window, and she wondered at his destination.
Helena didn’t care. She trusted him completely. She smiled to herself, thinking that she was leaving the path to wander forbidden territory in the company of an alluring stranger—and doing as much willingly.
Helena would not turn back for any price. Her heart told her to believe in her champion and she did.
CHAPTER 8
Miss Emerson was radiant.
If she had known that she had completely conquered Joshua’s heart, he wagered she would have been more glorious yet.
She was like Gerald in that she preferred to be triumphant, but there was a joy in her response that was utterly unlike Gerald. Perhaps she would be content with her situation, if she had the one she desired most. Gerald, in contrast, had been insatiable in his desires.
Perhaps he had done the lady a disservice in assuming she must be the same.
When she smiled at him as she did on this night, her eyes shining with pleasure and her cheeks flushed, he thought her the most glorious lady in all the world. If his invitation was responsible for her satisfaction, he could not see how he would resist offering another and another.
It was a night made for wooing, still and cool but not cold. Thousands of stars glittered overhead and the silvery crescent of the moon rode high. As he led Zephyr away from Bramble Cottage and into the hills, the sounds of the forest became more noticeable to Joshua. He could not longer detect the scent ofthe fire from the chimney at Lady Dalhousie’s abode, and the distant road was devoid of traffic. The sound of the horse’s footfalls were muted by the grasses underfoot. The forest and its shadows pressed closer on either side, the rustlings of wild creatures more readily detected. He spotted a fox trotting about its business with purpose and pointed it out to Miss Emerson.
She caught her breath and Joshua was certain the fox heard her. It glanced their way then redoubled its pace, vanishing into the shadows of a copse of trees. The silhouette of an owl passed overhead, gliding silently through the night as it hunted, and when the stallion shook his head, the jingle of his trap seemed overly loud.
“We might be the sole occupants of the world,” Miss Emerson whispered with an awe Joshua shared. He could have walked all night, content in the knowledge that the venture made her happy. He liked that she had shown some caution and strove to change her impulsiveness. He would see her safe, no matter what.
“What is that?” she demanded suddenly and he glanced over his shoulder to find her pointing to a small rise ahead.
It was the ruin of the original Haynesdale keep, and all that was left of the old motte-and-bailey medieval structure. Thinking it made as good a destination as any, he led the horse toward it with purpose.
“A ruin!” she whispered with delight. “Are they standing stones placed by the ancients?”
Joshua smiled as he shook his head.
“An abbey, then, or a church, left in shambles after the dissolution of the monasteries,” she guessed and he was impressed that she had been granted so much of an education. He knew that some families did not see their daughters tutored in more than the domestic arts.
“You are surprised,” she said proudly. “I had a tutor when I was younger, though I did not excel at my studies. I did learn a little French, but I liked history very much. Can you imagine what it was like to live at the Tudor court? I should love to visit Hampton Palace one day above all things. Aunt promised to take me to the Tower to see the crown jewels but she never did.” She sighed. “I doubt I shall ever see them now, much less Anne Boleyn’s grave.”
If ever he had the opportunity, Joshua would ensure she had that excursion.
