“Then I will believe so, too. I just wish we knew who she was.”
“We might yet find out.” He topped her tea and also refilled his own cup. “Then again, she may remain a mystery, her name and purpose forever lost to us.”
She sipped her tea, looking thoughtful.
“I think she wanted us to meet.” She smiled and lowered the cup. “A meddlesome and well-meaning soul, come here on a swirl of magic to right wrongs and do a bit of good.”
“Perhaps,” he agreed, pleased she’d accepted his explanation.
He doubted many English would, though he knew that the gentry in their stately homes and even the owners of many London residences did believe in ghosts.
They made no secret of it, many claiming their homes were long haunted, often by numerous spirits.
His family had Conley’s gate-stone and a shadow cat.
“Do you like cats?” He’d best settle this now.
“I love all animals.” She glanced back the way they’d come. “Speaking of which, I hear horses heading this way.”
Lucian listened, agreeing. “We should be going.”
She didn’t budge. “Why did you ask about cats?”
“Because two are near to my heart,” he said, his words true enough. “I will tell you of them on the ride out of the park. But first…”
He stepped closer, taking her by the arm and drawing her behind his two horses, moving her out of sight as two older gentlemen rode past the clearing. When the men were out of hearing range, he released her and helped her mount.
She glanced after the riders. “I wouldn’t have thought you’d care if we were seen?”
“I don’t, as you’ll see soon enough.”
“I will?”
He smiled, liking the amusement in her eyes. “Nary a doubt about it.”
Turning away from her, he gathered his plaid and the remains of their picnic. He put everything back into the leather pouch, and then fastened it to the back of his saddle. That done, he swung up onto his horse.
“I’d no’ alarm you, but I had reason for no’ wanting you seen,” he said, serious again. “The truth is, until you’re out of the reach of your stepmother, I’ll no’ risk anything that might draw her wrath.”
“Visiting Hyde Park so early in the morning, and alone, already did that. Being here with you-”
“Riding along Rotten Row is no’ so worrisome as being spotted in a copse of trees deep inside the park. Now…”
He reached over and clapped her mount’s rump, then kneed his own horse. Well-trained, the two bays adopted a smooth, leisurely pace as they left the clearing and started back through the more wooded section of the park, toward the popular bridle path.
“We were speaking of cats.” He glanced at her. “Tell me what you were doing when the crone mentioned one to you.”
“H’mmm…” She considered.
“You were in the middle of the crush at Hyde Park Corner,” he reminded her. “I was a bit late because one of my maids saw our Lyongate cat. You said the crone told you to‘ask me about the cat,’and then said‘I’d be along shortly.’”
“That’s right. She clearly meant you.”
“So it seems.”
“I remember!” She clasped a hand to her breast. “I was worried because you weren’t there and wondering what to do. I was about to leave when the old woman bumped me with her cart.”
The hairs on Lucian’s nape stood on end, but his heart thumped.
