He moved alongside. 'I give in, you win, Sofia. Are you quite sure you want to be known as a young lady with shocking taste? This will inevitably taint your season and that of your sisters.'
'Season? You said nothing about us coming out. I refuse to be involved as more than a chaperone, but you're right, my sisters don't deserve to be associated with an eccentric.'
'Then we can turn and ride unnoticed in the park?'
'We can indeed, I apologise for my behaviour. I fear that despite my vow to behave sensibly I find I cannot do it. I don't know why it is, James, but whenever I'm in your company I'm not myself at all.'
He laughed so hard he almost choked. 'Thank God for that,' he finally managed to splutter. She'd watched him unamused for several minutes whilst he was trying to regain control.
'If the version of you that I'm seeing now was the real one I doubt that I'd survive the experience.'
Finally, her lips curved. It took all his willpower not to lean over and kiss them.
'Then now I understand your mirth I forgive you for it. I do look quite ridiculous but as I can't see myself, I shall ignore it and hope that you can too.'
As they trotted through the gate that led onto his parkland he saw a row of faces grinning at him from the gatehouse. At least the gatekeeper and his family might laugh but wouldn't be talking about it with other members of the ton.
'Do you think I'll be notorious all over the city as the oldest Brotherton ward who rides a stallion in a hideous bright red riding habit?'
She'd obviously also seen the faces but had drawn the wrong conclusion. 'No, my outside staff are loyal as are those who work on my farms and live in my villages. I've been a far better landlord and employer than my father ever was as I genuinely care for their well-being.'
'I'm relieved to hear you say so and must apologise yet again for putting you in so invidious a position.' He thought her really contrite but then her smile denied that. 'However, I fear that I must continue to wear this outfit until my new one arrives as, even to protect your sensibilities, I cannot give up my morning ride.'
*
Sofia enjoyed the excursion and especially the last mad gallop through the track that took them over hedges and ditches. It worked just as well in reverse as it had the first time she'd taken this route.
They walked the last half mile allowing the horses to cool down before returning them to the stable. Lucifer and Rufus were obviously good friends and she began to think that perhaps she and James were too.
'Do these two get turned out to graze at all?'
'They have to have a paddock to themselves as Lucifer is uncut and Rufus and he are inseparable.'
It pleased her that he had assumed, correctly, that she understood the problem.
'Then why don't you put them in with any mares that might be receptive to his attentions. I can imagine that his progeny would be not only valuable but an asset to any gentleman's stable.'
'I have tried that but he took no interest. He and Rufus remained firmly at the far end of the field despite the two mares in question making it obvious that they wished to —' he grinned and looked a little self-conscious.
'It's all right, James, I'm not an innocent young lady —.'Sofia realised at once how this remark might be misinterpreted and flushed.
'You're now a perfect match to your outfit, my dear. There's no need to look so conscious, I'm not offended and know that you were referring to the fact that you've been running your small farm and have knowledge of the facts of life.'
'Imagine if I'd said something so appalling in front of your sister or your nephews. I believe it would be better for me not to mix in company at all and if I do to remain silent.'
'The latter would be an impossibility for you; the former presents no difficulty as by the time I introduce you to society you will have learned to curb your tongue.'
Hastily she changed the subject as she didn't want to disagree with him after he'd been so charitable about her faux pas. He didn't know her well enough to understand that her nature was to act first and consider the consequences later. It was highly unlikely that she'd be able to change however much she wished she could.
'Do you have mares that Lucifer's familiar with who might possibly be in season at the moment?'
'I believe there's one. Why do you ask?' His expression was guarded; she almost didn't make her suggestion.
'Do I have your permission to try something? I've not attempted this myself but read an interesting and detailed article about it in a farming magazine.'
'Are you going to tell me what this article said or leave me in suspense?'
'I couldn't possibly talk about such things with you, James, but if you agree then you can assist me.'
