She did as he suggested without hesitating, only wishing large animals weren’t going to play a part in the rest of her day.
She hurried forward, meeting Colonel Twitchard and a cluster of the male guests carrying poles.
“Well met,” said the Colonel. “Would you care to join us?”
“No, thank you,” Brilliance said. “I walked this far, and that was far enough.” After all, she had already made her catch for the day.
When Vincent caughtup to Lady Brilliance twenty minutes later, having skirted the fishing enthusiasts entirely, he found her already wearing her riding habit. Unfortunately, she was surrounded by other guests who all intended one last ride before they dispersed by late morning the following day. Most of them were going back to London. If they liked riding, then this was a far better place than Hyde Park or St. James’s, although with less chance of being seen by the right people.
His cousin was among those standing in the stable yard.
“There you are,” Alethia said. “Go change, and we’ll wait unless you have other plans.”
Lady Brilliance’s gaze was upon him, almost rueful, but there was nothing for it except to join the group.
“I am surprised you are riding,” he said to his cousin. “After all, you are putting on a ball tonight.”
“I am thoroughly organized, and my staff even more so. We shall be ready. A ride will clear my head.”
Vincent hurried inside to change. He hadn’t brought his valet, but he was well able to look after himself, and took no longer than five minutes. Upon his return, however, his cousin had coupled the riders, including Lady Brilliance, who was to ride beside Lord Fincham. He dreaded to discover his partner was Lady Georgiana, much relieved to see it was, in fact, Lady Martine.
“You are more at ease in the saddle than your friend,” he remarked when they had set off across the fields.
“I suppose I am.” After hardly any hesitation, she asked, “Speaking of my friend, what are your intentions, my lord?”
He was shocked. Lady Brilliance’s forthright manner was apparently contagious. Or perhaps that was why she and Lady Martine were friends, birds of a feather and all that.
“The answer should come easily,” she added. “It is not a riddle.”
“I was only wondering whether Lady Brilliance asked you to ask me, or if playing the part of a parent was your own idea?”
“Hardly a parent,” she said. “Simply a concerned friend. Lady Brilliance is one of the sweetest, candid, most genuine people I have ever had the fortune to meet. I cherish her, as she deserves.”
As she deserves. Vincent considered that. “Don’t you, and all of us for that matter, deserve to be cherished?”
Lady Martine smiled. “I suppose you are correct, my lord.”
At that moment, Lady Georgiana who was riding ahead turned and gave him a hungry stare. The woman was not subtle. What a shame he had no interest in a quick flyer against some convenient wall, for he had a notion she would be willing — albeit with some serious strings attached, such as the leg-shackling chains of marriage.
In any case, the lady caused no rise in him. If Lady Brilliance had given him such a look, he would have felt it searing him down to the soles of his riding boots.
Lady Martine cleared her throat, reclaiming his attention. “I caution you against trifling with Lady Brilliance in the short time you have left. Even if I am powerless, you may recall who her father is.”
There was that word again,trifling. It put Vincent’s back up. While he had engaged in some passionate kisses with the lady, he had not forced her! Nor would he ever lose control and compromise her virtue.
“In that particular regard, I am in no fear of the earl, and you need not be concerned for your friend. I believe she and I are like-minded.”
To his surprise, Lady Martine shook her head. “Oh, my lord. That is highly doubtful. No one has a mind like Lady Brilliance. Have you noticed how she has a tendency to say what she is thinking? Her heart is similarly open. Too easily won over, I believe. At least, once she has let it become inclined in one direction over another. She is wonderfully frank, but also trusting and in some regards, naïve. She lacks ... defenses.”
He appreciated Lady Martine’s warning, her worry for her friend, and her discreet language.
More than that, Vincent found himself pleased, exceedingly so, at the prospect of Lady Brilliance opening her heart to him. It had been a mere sennight, but the devil take him if he wasn’t absolutely captivated by her.
“I shall remember what you have said, my lady. And I thank you for it.”
While he enjoyed Lady Martine’s thoughtful company, he was glad when they reached the first rest area, where the stream fed into the River Cray. While the horses drank, they were able to switch partners.
As Lady Georgiana made a move toward him, straight and swift as a blackbird, he ducked and wove his way through the riders, avoiding her, until he arrived at Lady Brilliance’s side. She was laughing over something her companion, Lord Fincham had said.
