Aylesbury’s accusation didn’t help.
“If you aren’t content to wait, Lord Ramsay, perhaps we should just end our association now,” she said at last, ready to kick all her plans to the curb and begin anew.“Clearly, it has become a source of contention between us.Perhaps if I understood the reason for your impatience?”she added, wondering if he would say anything that might substantiate Aylesbury’s allegation.
The tension dropped from his shoulders as he relented once again.“I am simply eager to begin our lives together,” he said, regurgitating the same reasoning she had heard from him before.However, this time, with that accusation in the back of her mind, it all rang false.
“I apologize for all this, Lord Ramsay, but I truly feel that perhaps the time has come...”
“What are they doing here?”
Fighting the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose in frustration, Fiona realized that she was beginning to understand Aylesbury’s compunction to do the same.Turning, she saw Vin and Connor riding toward them.She should have known her time alone was limited; she was grateful for the interruption this time.“They are riding escort for me, and I need to go now.Unless you would care to join us?”
“Join you?”Ramsay scoffed.“They hate me.”
“Why is that exactly?”Fiona asked, pushing again for some sign that Aylesbury might have been right all along.
He said nothing, glaring at her brothers as they reined in their horses nearby.
“Ramsay,” Connor nodded in curt acknowledgement.
Vin said nothing, merely glaring at Ramsay as he turned and walked away without a word of farewell.A few seconds later, Vin kicked his horse into motion and pulled up alongside her suitor, leaning from the saddle to speak.Fiona couldn’t hear what he was saying but couldn’t find it in her to be curious.
“I said ten minutes,” she complained, turning to Connor.
“You got five.Be glad for it.Vin was ready to come over the moment Ramsay touched your arm.”Connor dismounted and took the reins of Fiona’s horse from her.“You do not really plan on marrying Ramsay, do you, Blossom?”
“Et tu, Connor?”
“He’s an utter toad.”Connor cupped his hands to help Fiona remount.“Completely lacking in character.”
“Ah, another member of the choir to sing me its sweet chorus,” she mocked, pulling back the skirts of her black riding habit and stepping into her brother’s hands, letting him toss her up into the saddle.“Has everyone joined then?”
“Seriously, Blossom,” he continued as he remounted and came alongside her as Fiona settled herself in the sidesaddle.“You cannot love him.Not as you should.”
“But I thought such love sickened you?”
Connor shrugged.“More with some than with others, it seems.”
“Why do you all dislike him so?”Fiona fiddled with her skirts casually, draping them over her leg but tense with anticipation that Connor might say something informative.
“There have been some concerns regarding Lord Ramsay’s motives,” Connor offered vaguely, vindicating Aylesbury’s claim.Fiona thought she might have been able to pry something more from him, but Vin rejoined them.
“Why did you feel you had to meet Ramsay out here like this, Blossom?”he asked.
“Is there any reason I shouldn’t feel free to meet the man I intend to marry in a public park, Vin?”Fiona asked to see if he might give away even something more than Connor.
Vin only rolled his eyes unaccommodatingly.“Bloody hell, Blossom!Still?”
“I am content with my choice, Vin.”
“Bah!Contentment is for a hot bath, and even that becomes chilly if you stay too long,” he grumbled.“What can you possibly see in him?”
“He’s taller than me?”Fiona joked.
Vin and Connor both chuckled at that.
“Aye, no mean feat,” Connor allowed but gestured behind her.“But he isn’t the only one.”
“Lady Fiona!”
