“The investigation has unsettled me, Wrexford.” She turned to gaze out at the horizon. “In ways that are testing the very essence of who I am.”
He waited.
Her eyes slowly came around to meet his. “Sorry. I know I’m not making any sense.”
“You’re making perfect sense,” he replied. “I imagine what you mean is you feel torn between friendship and duty.”
Her mare snorted and pulled at the reins.
“As Charlotte Sloane, you wish to help and protect those close to you,” he went on. “But as A. J. Quill, you feel compelled to shine a light on the dark doings of those who think themselves above the law.”
A ghost of a smile passed over her lips. “You seem to understand me better than I do myself.”
Wrexford brought his stallion closer and reached out to touch his hand to hers. The chill air gave way to a mellow warmth. “I think we both know each other very well,” he replied. “At times, too well. But that, I suppose, is the beauty of true friendship, where the bond runs deeper than we realize.”
The breeze freshened, ruffling through the gold-flecked meadow grasses.
“I noted that you were carefully studying the workshop and its details, in case you decide it’s necessary to draw the scene. But I don’t think you should fret about what decisions lie ahead,” he added. “When the time comes, you’ll know in your heart what is right.”
“Oh, Wrexford.” The light that came to her eyes made his heart thump up against his ribs. “I don’t know what I’d do without you and your logic to steady my doubts.”
“There is, I grant you, an irony to me—a man cursed with mercurial moods—being a source of steadiness to anyone. But as you’ve often told me, intuition defies logic.”
“Or they somehow work together in perfect tandem,” murmured Charlotte. Lifting her cheeks to the sun, she inhaled deeply. “Perhaps Sheffield was right, and a good gallop is just the thing to clear the head.”
The earl smiled. “Would you care to race to that far oak?” A wave indicated a distant tree at the edge of the pasture.
“You have an unfair advantage. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the saddle.”
“I shall allow you a five-yard head start.”
“Ha!” Sparks winked off her lashes. “Make that ten yards.”
Wrexford realized with a jolt how much he loved the way she constantly challenged him. It wasn’t always comfortable....
She was already off, her mare’s hooves pounding over the turf.
Wind whipped his face as he spurred to a gallop. All worries gave way to the moment . . . the sight of Charlotte crouched low over her horse’s neck, the loosened strands of her hair dancing in the wind . . . the sheer exhilaration of just the two of them together, racing neck-and-leather across fields.
The mare had spirit and graceful speed, but his muscled stallion was quickly gaining ground. Tightening the reins, Wrexford pulled back. It seemed only right that they cross the finish line in perfect stride.
Breathless with laughter, Charlotte slowed her mount and circled back to meet him. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were sparkling. “I had forgotten how glorious it is to fly over the fields!”
“Lady Peake wasn’t exaggerating,” he replied. “You’re a very skilled rider.”
“Yes, well, I spent a good deal of time in the saddle during my rebellious youth. It was one of the few places where I could exhale and feel free.” Charlotte patted the mare’s lathered neck. “Thank you, Wrexford. For not allowing me to stew in self-doubt.”
“We all need occasional reminders that Darkness should never overpower Light.”
She nodded, the very un-Charlotte-like uncertainty gone from her expression. “Speaking of darkness we should be getting back. Sheffield mustn’t be allowed to brood. We need to regroup and plan our next steps.”
They set off at a brisk canter, which soon brought them to the main carriage road.
“You go on to the stables,” said Wrexford as they slowed to a walk. “I want to stop at the manor house first. Tyler should have arrived by now, and he may have learned something more about Professor Sudler before leaving London.”
* * *
After handing over her mare to one of the grooms, Charlotte spotted Sheffield standing just inside the stable. As she moved to join him, she saw Raven was also there, on his hands and knees, playing with a large floppy-eared puppy whose ungainly legs seemed far too big for its body.
