He tilted his head, his expression one of severe disbelief. “No one enjoys being wet. Save for a fish, perhaps.”
“I do love swimming. Perhaps I am more fish than human.”
His brows furrowed. “You love swimming?”
I nodded, trying not to smile at the disapproval he surely hid. “Oh, yes. When the weather is warm, there is a pond along the west path. The water is refreshing.”
He studied me, as if doing so would reveal the statement as a flam. But one could not find deceit where there was none. I did love swimming, and if telling the lieutenant encouraged him to keep his distance, put an end to his taunts and teasing, then I would risk rumors of my behavior reaching theton.
“That is…” He shook his head as though thinking better of his words. “I must go. Will you permit me your company upon my return?”
He still wanted to meet? I bit my tongue. Why had that not worked? “I hardly see—”
“Please, Annette. I simply wish to apologize properly.”
He wished to apologize? I assume he referred to the dessert situation from last night. The entire ordeal still irked me, but it had been Russell who was most to blame. Still, the lieutenant's desire to apologize surprised me.
And intrigued me.
Confound it.
“Very well. We shall talk when you return. Simply send a servant with a note. And might I remind you, again, that I have not given you leave to use my name.”
His lips pulled into a grin. “Requesting love notes from me now? How scandalous,Annette.”
I glared at him. “Do not tempt me to rescind my agreement. I have a number of things I can do that are far better than spending time in your company.”
He chuckled. “As you wish, Miss Apsley. I shall send you a note, then.”
The man bowed and swept past me. I stared after him for a long moment, wondering if meeting with him was yet another mistake. I could not make sense of the lieutenant. One moment, he acted the perfect gentleman, and the next, he returned to the teasing flirt I met in London.
Whose company I would have the pleasure of this afternoon, I could not say. And, blast it all, I was eager to find out.
Chapter eight
Edward
The fight for abolition will not be an easy one. It will take time and diligence from many to achieve. Complete dedication. That is how we shall bring about change. Commit yourself, Edward. One day, the world will join our cause. Until then, and even thereafter, it is in the hands of God to see us through. I pray He will watch over those who suffer and soften the hearts of men. May His grace, an unfailable quality that provides redemption for even the most wretched of souls, also clear a pathway for change.
JN
I could not escape the stables fast enough. With a quick pace, I reached the stall where my horse, Lightning, was quartered. He whinnied his reluctance to leave his morning meal, a bucket of oats, but accepted my coaxing and held perfectly still as a groom applied his saddle. In minutes, we galloped across Kenwick estate, away from the cause of my pounding heart.
Happening upon Annette this morning after she returned from a ride had seemed providential. I’d needed a moment alone with her to apologize, and what better time to offer it than when her mood had been improved by a jaunt through the crisp morning air? What I had not anticipated was the way the rain had dampened her dress and hair, nor the way my body would respond to seeing her enter the stables riding bareback.
Bareback.
What viscount’s daughter did such a thing? None to my knowledge, and the image did not match the graceful, sophisticated woman I had met in London. True, Annette was passionate and knew how to wield her words in a way that punctured deeply, but she did so with a charm that eased the offense. In a way society deemed acceptable. She had presented herself as a lady of quality during each and every one of our exchanges, leaving no question of her upbringing or position among Society.
Well, all of our exchanges but one.
And it was that memory that had risen to the surface upon seeing her riding and dressed so unseemly. The weather had not soaked her, exactly, but it had wet her clothes enough that they clung to her figure. Her very handsome figure.
And her red hair…
Fire and water should not mix, and yet, I had been a witness just now to their compatibility. The way water darkened her flaming tresses and left it in complete disarray had stoked a fire insideme, to say nothing of my attraction to the rest of her.
But that hair.
