Chapter Six
FANNY HAD JUST PULLEDon her gloves and begun tying the ribbon of her bonnet when her mother came up and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Have a good time today. It’s not every day that you get the chance to go on an outing with a handsome nobleman like Lord Castleford.”
Warmth rushed to Fanny’s cheeks. “We’re only friends, Mama.”Just keep telling yourself that...
The older woman smiled knowingly. “Of course.”
Her father was getting ready to head out on the water for his daily pilchard catch when he turned to her. “While I appreciate your diligence in distracting Lord Castleford, I assume you have a proper chaperone for this little trip?”
“Yes,” Fanny replied with a small smile. “Before I left Killigarth Manor yesterday, Lord Castleford said he was going to speak to Lady Marwood and see if one of the housemaids might accompany us.”
“I don’t see whyIcouldn’t have gone,” Agnes piped up with a delicate pout.
“Because you need to helpmeat the market,” Lilah pointed out from where she sat beside her on the settee. “Besides, I thought you were looking forward to seeing — Ow!”
Fanny held back a grin as Lilah rubbed her shin and Agnes shot her a murderous look.
“On that note...” Their father chuckled as he shoved on his cap and headed for the door. “I’m heading out to sea where a man might get some rest from such high-spirited daughters.”
Moments after his departure, the Marwood carriage pulled up in front of the house.
Agnes’ eyes instantly lit up. “Oh! He’s here, Fanny! Perhaps I should—”
Fanny rushed outside and shut the door firmly behind her.
Lord Castleford stepped down from the black, lacquered coach and opened the door. He doffed his hat to her, and Fanny felt her stomach flip anxiously. He looked infinitely appealing today in a pair of black breeches and a sapphire blue waistcoat and jacket. She felt drab in comparison in her plain, cornflower blue muslin.
But when he turned that heart-stopping grin on her those insecurities melted away. “Are you that eager for our outing?” he teased.
Her cheeks instantly warmed. “Annoying siblings,” she corrected.
He laughed, his green eyes twinkling in merriment. “Ah. In that case, it makes me thankful I only have one brother.” He waved a hand, so Fanny climbed inside. He entered after her and shut the door behind him.
Fanny’s gaze shifted to him. “Are we riding... alone?”
“Afraid I might take advantage of you?” he purred, and Fanny’s cheeks heated even more. His lips twitched as he explained; “Mary and John Coachman are courting so she asked if she might ride up top with him. I didn’t see a problem with it, but of course, if you are uncomfortable then I can insist—”
Fanny waved a hand. “No, it’s fine. I daresay they don’t have many opportunities to converse in private.” She didn’t wish to sound like a prude and demand that the maid ride with them. Besides, it wasn’t as if Lord Castleford would go so far to defile her in Lord Marwood’s carriage.
Unfortunately.
Fanny was quite sure that her face was flaming at this point, even before Lord Castleford gave her a particularly devilish wink. “Don’t worry,” he reassured her. “I promise to be the perfect gentleman.”
She folded her hands in her lap, and offered him a slight smile as the carriage began to roll away.If you only knew...
