“Yes.”
“He would have been a good husband for you.”
The words shocked her so much, her mouth fell open.
“You’ll want to shut that before something flies in.”
“How do you know he would have made me a good husband? You spoke no more than a handful of words to him.”
He shrugged.
“That is not an answer, Lucas.”
“He protected you without thought, and yet he did not know who you were. Now move your feet; we are to go riding with those simpering women, and I shall spend the time grinding my teeth listening to them spout rubbish.”
Beth laughed, but her heart was not in it. Lucas thought Nathan would have been a good husband. Why did that upset her so much?
“I can protect myself,” Beth threw over her shoulder. “I need no man to do so.”
“Really? And you would have dealt with six men by yourself, would you?”
“I would have shot them.”
“Your pistol does not hold six rounds,” Lucas returned so calmly that she wanted to slap him—because he was correct.
“I need no man.”
“Perhaps in most cases you are right, but not now, or last night. There is danger everywhere for you, Miss Bethany. I am unsure why, but I would ask you to always be on your guard.”
“I will,” she promised. “Now smile sweetly and let the women swoon over you.”
His teeth snapped together.
The Blake women—well, two of them, Phillipa and Mary—were waiting outside for them. Phillipa on a bay mare, and Mary, a silver one. They were lovely animals, and Beth took a moment to pat foreheads before letting Lucas toss her onto Flora, her chestnut mare.
“We have a groom with us,” Phillipa said, waving a hand at Lucas, which he ignored. Mounting, he gave her an inscrutable look but said nothing.
“Lucas will accompany us” was all Beth said.
“He is so rude,” Phillipa whispered to Mary.
Lucas growled softly.
They headed in the direction of the park, Phillipa in the lead, as Beth was sure she liked to be, and Beth and Mary following. Lucas and the Blake footman fell in behind.
“I read the last few pages of the latestCaptain Broadbent and Lady Nauticusnovel last night. It was dreadfully exciting,” Mary said. “Have you started the first book yet?”
“Not yet, but I will, I promise.”
Mary wore a tan riding habit with black boots and hat. It suited her coloring. She looked happy and carefree. Beth remembered when she’d felt that way. It seemed so long ago now.
Her friend, Beth thought. They’d been close once, and it hurt her that she could not allow that to happen again. She could not allow anything to happen to Mary, and so must keep her distance, which of course she was not doing today. But surely, she must carry on with some of the activities she once had enjoyed? People would notice if she didn’t.
Sometimes Beth felt like she was walking a tightrope like the one she’d seen at Covent Garden. That had been thrilling; this was not.
“Oh, they are wonderful adventures. You must read that book soon, then I shall send you the rest of the series so you can catch up on what society is reading.”
“What, all of them?”
