Fate had different ideas, which, if Dev were to be truthful with himself, he appreciated.
Not one to let such an opportunity pass, he winged his arm for Miss Babineaux to take before she could come up with another excuse.
But she did not.
Instead, she smiled timidly and placed her hand upon his sleeve. She appeared hesitant but not reluctant.
A warmth filled his chest, and the cloud that had been blocking the sun moments before dissipated.
“I am curious to see how the lion is faring today.” She looked over at him from beneath an indigo-colored bonnet. Her skirts swished over his boots. Her scent was fresh, sweet, and uniquely female.
“Then the lion, you shall see.” Dev covered her hand with his.
Her fingers were so much smaller than his own. He steered them away from the water and toward the road where he’d left his curricle with a groom. Three of them could have ridden on the rather narrow bench, but it would have been a tight squeeze.
“This is the second time we’ve seen you out of uniform, and yet we know you as Captain Brookes. Are you leaving military life behind?”
Clever girl. “I am. Unless necessary, I’m henceforth going to live the life of a country gentleman. Enough war for me.”
She nodded.
Dev wondered if she’d felt ill-used by him. “I behaved badly, yesterday,” he began. “I owe you an apology.” She was a lady, a gentlewoman, after all.
“For kissing me?” Her candor startled him.
“I shouldn’t have done it, but I have no regrets. Do you wish for one?”
“Another kiss?” Her glance was sharp this time, and she pulled away slightly.
“An apology.” He laughed, pulling her close again.
“Oh.” She resumed her stride. And then she further surprised him. “I don’t know.”
He knew it. She’d been affected, regardless of the existence of said fiancé.
“I don’t know you,” she added.
“But you will,”he almost said. Something inside him insisted.
And then he considered the enthusiasm she’d exhibited in his arms the day before. “And yet, you do.” Walking beside her, holding her arm, he felt the tremor that ran through her.
And she did not argue his point.
Dev had never been one to walk away from a challenge. Especially when compelled strongly by the prize.
It would require some finesse. He’d perhaps need to move a few mountains. “I had planned on leaving London in a few days’ time.”
Again, she glanced over and up at him. He watched her swallow. “For this new country estate you mentioned?”
“Yes. I’m to become a respectable gentleman. The embodiment of all I raged against in my youth.”
“It is to be admired. The desire to live a peaceful life. You are weary of war.” Her voice washed over him like a benediction of sorts. She spoke words he had not realized he needed to hear.
“You do know me, then, Miss Babineaux… Sophia.” He said her name slowly; spoken out loud it sounded like a whisper.
“But you,” she pointed out, “do not know me.” And yet she trusted him. She was slipping away with him for a secret outing.
Alone.
