But today, Louisa determined she would take Prince for a walk, and she was specifically going to Hyde Park—a place Robert had gone to great lengths to show he did not care for. After gathering her things, she tucked Prince’s leash about his neck and made for the door.
“Where are you off to?”
Louisa spun about. “Oh. I’m only leaving to take Prince for a walk.”
Robert’s sturdy frame sauntered over to her. “It is a lovely day for it. Perhaps I shall join you.”
What? Why would he want to go for a walk with her and Prince when he had shown a clear aversion to her little dog? “Nonsense. I understand you are busy.”
Robert tilted his head a fraction of an inch. A rare look into that head of his, where the mysterious lay. “I find some fresh air sounds delightful.” And without another word, he held his arm out to her.
“We are going to Hyde Park.”
His arm slackened under her hand. “Ah.”
“You need not go.”
He lifted his arm back up and he gave a nod. “No. I would like some air. Let us be off.”
She swallowed, taking a calming breath. For whatever reason, she could not shake the man.
“Very well. Let us get on with it, then.”
The ride in the chaise was quiet but for Prince parading from one side of the seat to the other, his eyes following every bird that deigned to fly near them. Any time Prince ended up in Robert’s lap, he would grimace and discreetly use his arm to push him away.
“I know you do not like him,” Louisa said through a smile. “And I can see what you are doing.”
“Me?” Robert folded his arms, snapping his eyes from his lap to her.
Louisa only shook her head as her grin widened. Soon, the infamous Hyde Park came into view, and Robert helped her down from her seat as she held Prince neatly beneath her arm.
“I am surprised you came today.” Louisa placed Prince down, taking a strong hold on his leash.
Robert offered his arm, and they began a slow stroll along the small ponds laced with trees about their edges. It made for a nice walk, even if it wasn’t quite as private as the grounds around Stonemoore. “I told you. The fresh air sounded lovely.”
Louisa looked up at him, finding herself reluctantly admiring the edge of his jaw.
She shook her head. “That is the only reason?” Louisa felt it better to understand one another than allow discrepancies to lead them down the wrong path. This was not a love match, and he had agreed to that. Something was awry, and she wanted to clear the air.
“Would it be so wrong if I said I wished to spend some time with you?” He looked about the park, not meeting her eye. “We agreed to be friends. And how can one be a friend without spending time with the other?”
There. He had offered her an explanation and she need not worry about his motives any longer—for that is precisely what she hoped for. A comfort between them without the unnecessary addition of romance. She nodded. “Very nicely said.”
Prince tugged on his leash harder, his tongue lagging out of his mouth as a squirrel scampered from one tree to another.
“Prince, no. Do not pull so hard.” Louisa pulled the leash back, attempting to keep him reined in.
Robert spared Prince a glance. “Do you really believe he understands you?”
“Perhaps not my words, but he certainly can understand my tone.”
Robert chuckled. “Much like my mother used to do if my father asked how she was and she would respond withfine. Believe me. We all knew she was anything but fine.”
Louisa glanced up at him, smiling. Yes. This new, lighter rapport between them was for the best. She need not worry over it. “I adore your mother. I must admit I was disappointed when she left.”
“She will be back,” he assured her.
When Louisa procured the woman a grandchild. But the words would not leave Louisa’s tongue. “Yes. I look forward to it. Perhaps at Christmastime?”
