Her answering look was curious, but she only nodded. “How did you and Colin meet?”
He both appreciated the change of topic and wished to continue talking about her future, not his past. Nevertheless, he answered. “He saved my life, actually.”
“Truly?” She looked up at him, slowing her steps.
“Indeed.” He paused. “Ah... not many people know this.”
She understood his unspoken request. “I will not share it, if you are willing to speak about it.”
“Thank you. It was some time ago, but I was meant to be in school and had—well, suffice it to say that the school thought I was at home.” He watched her reaction and was not disappointed as her eyes lit with mirth.
“You continue to surprise me, Lord Berkeley.”
He tamped down a smile. The situation around why he’d left school was not one that brought him any joy, yet with Miss Faraday, he seemed to be pulled toward smiling more and more. “I found myself in Bath and spent several days wandering the town aimlessly. Several navy men were stationed there at the time, Colin being one of them. One night I stayed out later than I ought to have, and I was seen as an easy target for some thugs. I was young, wealthy, and was alone. They attacked me.”
She took a sharp breath.
“Colin was thankfully nearby and fought them off. He gave me several pointers in boxing, and then when his commission was up, he and I decided to start the club together.”
“It sounds like a fortuitous relationship,” she said.
“I think so. He may disagree.”
She laughed a little at that then fell silent.
What he wouldn’t give to know what she was thinking.
“It seems the group is breaking up,” Miss Faraday said suddenly, pointing ahead. James and Lady Bowcott had stopped to watch a group of deer that were crossing a far field, and LadyTeresa and Charleton seemed to be retreating back down the hill for whatever reason.
They reached the Bowcotts.
“Lady Teresa grew tired, so Lord Charleton is going to accompany her back to the picnic spot. You are welcome to continue on. We will follow in a moment or two.”
Lucas looked to Miss Faraday, who nodded her agreement, and off they went again. More trees now scattered the green hill. A light breeze wound through them, setting the new spring leaves shaking and causing Miss Faraday to pull her pelisse a little tighter around herself.
“Are you cold?” he asked.
“A bit, but the exercise is warming me.”
He nodded.
“You do that often, you know,” she said, gesturing at his face.
“What?”
“Nod.”
“It seems a standard action for most,” he said, more than a little confused.
She laughed quietly. “I suppose that is true. But for you, it’s different. I cannot exactly place why.” She studied him, until she stumbled over a mound of earth. Her hold on him tightened, and he tensed his arm to help her maintain her footing. Once she had, she shook her head. “I promise I am not so clumsily inclined as you likely believe. I suppose that will teach me not to pry into a person’s mannerisms.”
She was favoring her left foot as they continued on. “Do you need to rest?” he asked.
“No, I am well enough. It is only a little tender; some walking will likely stretch the muscle out.”
“You are certain?”
She nodded.
