She swallowed again. “You aren’t worried about the curse?”
* * *
Gabriel hadn’t expectedMiss Olivia Redfield to show any interest in the blasted mine. Which meant, unfortunately, that his hope of putting it far from his thoughts was to be dashed.
For a moment, he considered feeding her insipid reassurances, expressing a confidence he did not feel. Any other chit, and that was exactly what he’d have done.
He could feel her watching him. As though his answer mattered, as though she cared to learn the truth.
“I’m more worried about erosion than any curses, for certain.” And because other issues had been circling through his mind, he couldn’t help but add, “Unstable buttresses, optimistic projections, inaccurate calculations, impatient dukes…”
His companion sat quietly beside him. Had his words gone right over her head completely?
But then she said, “Perhaps that is the true curse of it. The lure of the gold in such an unstable location.”
Not over her head.
In fact, perhaps Miss Olivia Redfield had a greater understanding of his worries than anyone else. Perhaps because neither of them stood to benefit from the takings. Sometimes a little distance gave one a far greater perspective.
“What are locals saying?” He’d wondered this and she might know. People might tell her opinions they’d withhold from himself.
She shrugged. “People believe what they want to.” And then almost as an afterthought, “The people in Misty Brook are a superstitious lot. Believe me, I know.”
A clearing appeared as the trees receded behind them and the sound of rushing water could be heard. He and Stanton had swum in the small pond just beyond the next rise, dozens of times in the past.
“As I said, it’s not the curse that worries me. It’s… other matters.”
“And yet you are assisting the Duke of Crawford in this questionable endeavor.” Gabriel could almost hear the thoughts racing through her mind.
“Not Crawford. Stanton.”
She pondered that a few moments and then nodded. “Then you are a good friend.”
Gabriel wanted to change the mood. He’d brought her out today so that she could have some amusement. Not for him to unburden his own worries. “And asyourgood friend, I insist we put an end to this unpleasant conversation. Enough with the blasted mine.”
“You wish to only speak of pleasantries? You’re absurd.”
“I think you’ve told me that before. What’s absurd is that you’ve failed to notice my charisma and charm. Simply because I’m a tad impulsive…”
Her giggles joined the sound of the stream nearby. “If that is what you prefer to call it…” And then more laughter.
“I wasn’t trying to be funny.” Drawing the pair to a halt, Gabriel rolled his eyes heavenward and then hopped off.
As he sauntered around to the other side of the vehicle, he wondered if he should question the enthusiasm he felt at spending a day with the enigma that was Miss Olivia Redfield. He’d not been wrong the night of Stanton’s ball when he’d called her a mystery woman. Today, her gown, a simple cotton yellow print, had seen better days, and her bonnet seemed about three sizes too large. And yet…
Without any hesitation, she placed her hands on his shoulders, and he assisted her to the ground, sliding her scandalously along his own length. He took his time letting her go.
The material of her dress was thin, and she’d left off stays.
Damn his eyes, this wasn’t what he’d brought her here for.
Was it?
Chapter 8
Reasons
“Where did you get this wine?”Olivia threw herself backward on the large blanket they’d spread over the grass and stared up at the sky. “It’s divine. As was the cheese and the bread and the fruit.”
