“Stealing the moment. Don’t worry, your Scots haven’t noticed.”
He said that as his lips moved hotly to her neck. Had she spoken aloud? She didn’t really care, groaning again as delicious shivers spread out from where his lips touched her skin. She didn’t want to stop what she was doing! But someone would see them if they tarried any longer, and embarrassment at being so daring was starting to sneak up on her.
She put a hand to his cheek to guide his mouth off her. She didn’t want to scold him when she’d instigated that kiss as much as he had, so with a grin she said, “You’ve been too bold, sir.”
“You’ve been too fetching, wench. D’you think I haven’t noticed how well you fill out those britches?”
She chuckled, because she could say the same about him! But she pushed lightly against his chest to indicate she wanted to get up. She heard his sigh as she got to her feet. Not wanting this magical moment to end on a note of contrition or embarrassment for either of them, she glanced down at him still spread out on the grass and said, “I’ll race you.” And she started running before he got up. “I think you know I’ll win.”
“Only if I let you win again!”
They were laughing again and laughed even harder when he easily passed her. Good grief, she felt so giddy!
Charley, with his long golden hair queued back and wearing ill-fitting trousers and a homespun shirt he’d borrowed from Arlo, was already eating when Vanessa and Monty joined him. He merely remarked, “I hadn’t thought of running for exercise, never have, actually. Doesn’t it make you sweat?”
“Would a commoner object to a little sweat?” Monty countered.
“Right you are.”
Although Vanessa was a little embarrassed that she’d let Monty kiss her—and that she’d kissed him back so fervently—Monty didn’t gloat over what had happened. His behavior toward her didn’t change as they continued on their journey that week, although she caught him looking at her rather intently whenever they stopped for lunch or were eating together at an inn.
One day, Monty even rode beside her on one of the extra horses, possibly because she still wouldn’t ride in the coach with them. He didn’t seem to notice the disparity in their heights, with Snow a good three hands taller than his mount. She thought he might want to talk and hoped it wouldn’t be about that kiss, because her guards had only dropped back a little and still might be within hearing distance.
But Monty only said casually, “Another beautiful day. I am frankly amazed it hasn’t rained yet.”
“It probably will now that you’ve mentioned it!”
“Bite your tongue. This is going to be a delightful journey—in all ways.”
Monty’s grin turned into a smile. His green eyes seemed to sparkle in the sunshine, too. She blushed only a little, wondering if he was referring to her company. He looked especially handsome today, less formal than usual without his cravat, and his lawn shirt was open at the neck. But then it was a warm spring day, which was why she’d left off her cloak and hood, though they were within easy reach if they encountered any other travelers.
This was also the first time she was seeing him mounted, and since he didn’t seem at all nervous about it, she couldn’t help asking, “Did you learn to ride so well while you were in the army?”
“My unit wasn’t cavalry. As an officer, I had a horse, but none of my men did. No, I grew up riding in Suffolk.”
“I wish I had.”
He snorted before he scoffed, “You control that brute very well, so don’t tell me you haven’t been riding since you were an infant.”
“Don’t exaggerate, and no, my mother wouldn’t allow me to ride,” she said a bit bitterly.
“Had no stable?”
She didn’t want to talk about herself. But maybe he wouldn’t mind talking about himself. “So you grew up in Suffolk?”
“I did, near the coast. My siblings and I once tried to swim in the Channel, but it was too bloody cold and we never attempted it again. My sisters talked Father into having a pond dug for us near the manor. Even though it took several years to finish it and for it to fill with rainwater, it was worth the wait. We spent many a summer cavorting there.”
“Even your sisters?” she asked, surprised.
“Of course. You don’t know how to swim?”
She didn’t. That was another thing her mother wouldn’t allow her and her sisters to do. She shook her head.
“I could teach you.”
“I’m a bit old to learn.”
“Nonsense. The next body of water we pass—”
