“Lady Anna, a pleasure, as always.May I?”He extended his hand in invitation to dismount.
Nodding, she first handed him the reins.Then, deftly, he grasped her waist and lifted her effortlessly to the ground.His expression was full of mischief and daring.His hands lingered a moment longer than necessary at her waist before he released her with deliberate slowness.
“Thank you,” she whispered, glancing down with a shy smile.
“May I escort you for a while?”he asked, offering the arm not holding the reins and placing himself between her and the horse.
“Of course,” she murmured, glancing up just in time to catch her mother’s approving smile, barely hidden behind her gloved hand.
“I’m so glad we saw you!”Pere came to walk beside her, nearly taking up the entire path.“I’ve been meaning to stop by—we have so much to discuss.But I had one fitting, then another, because someone forgot to mark the length with the pins.It was a whole ordeal.”
“I’m sorry,” Anna said.“That’s unfortunate.”
“Bothersome, more than anything.Regardless, I believe I’ll come by tomorrow.”Pere sighed.“I’ll let my brother have your attention for now—Henley can escort me.I just wanted to make sure you had no pressing matters that would keep you from visiting.”
“I’ll look forward to seeing you,” Anna replied, watching as Pere drifted toward her other brother.
“It’s times like these I appreciate my sister’s ability to communicate quickly and then vanish,” Lord Devon remarked.
Anna hid a laugh behind her gloved hand.“She does speak quickly.Though I’ve been accused of the same.”
His eyes crinkled with a smile.“I believe most ladies could say the same.”
“It’s one of our more charming qualities,” Anna teased.
As they walked, Anna considered what topic to introduce next.The weather?Safe, but dull.She was still weighing her options when a horse snorted beside her.
“What’s her name?”Lord Devon asked.
Anna approved of how easily he initiated conversation.It never came so naturally to her.“Hermes.”
“Ah, the god of travel and messages—not to mention speed.”He nodded.“An apt name?”
“She’s swift, certainly, though I’m rarely allowed the freedom to test her properly.”
“You sound regretful.Do you enjoy a fast ride?”he asked, a glint of amusement in his eye.
“Dear Lord,” came a low mutter.
Anna nearly missed it but couldn’t resist glancing back.Lord Allendale was glaring at his brother in silent reproach.Confused, she returned her attention to Lord Devon.
“Yes,” she replied.“There’s something freeing about the countryside passing in a blur.”
“Indeed,” Lord Devon said, shooting a meaningful look over his shoulder.
Anna shared a confused glance with Pere before turning back to her escort.
“Speed isn’t always the most important quality, Lady Anna,” Lord Allendale interjected, his deep voice drawing her gaze.“Isn’t a horse’s worth more than her speed?Pedigree, temperament—even beauty—matter more, do they not?”Though his question was directed at her, he sent the final words to his brother.
“Indeed,” Lord Devon replied.“But I must say, Lady Anna, I do love a quick mare.”His eyes glinted as he glanced from her to Henley.
Something unspoken lingered in the air between the brothers.Anna couldn’t place it, but the tension was unmistakable.Lord Allendale’s words had held a sincerity uncommon in talk of horses—as if he hadn’t been referring to Hermes at all.
Choosing diplomacy over mystery, she smiled at both men.“You’re both correct.And thank you for championing my dear Hermes.She’s been a favorite of mine.”
“As she should be,” Lord Devon said smoothly.
Lord Allendale only nodded and glanced toward Pere, who was eyeing them curiously.
