So relieved, Delia nearly cried. “I was clinging more than I was riding. And since I was heading back to the stable, it wasnotthe wrong way. To be frank, I cannot ride.”
“That has become obvious. Do you know how dangerous it was of you to pretend? I suppose that’s not even your riding habit.”
“No,” she admitted, wishing she had learned properly when her parents had given her the opportunity.
“Do you ride astride either?”
“No,” she said, her cheeks burning with humiliation.
“Then what in blue blazes are you playing at?” he demanded, practically shouting at her.
“I ... I ...” Feeling a little weepy, she couldn’t tell Lord Perish she didn’t want to disappoint him. She wanted to be like the other ladies whom he admired, such as Lady Lillian.
“You might have been injured had you fallen!”
“I stayed on rather well,” she protested.
“Never mind,” he said curtly. Then Lord Perish snatched at the lead rope, continuing toward the stable. He’d given up trying to turn her into a horsewoman.
A ball of tears welled up in her throat. More pricked her eyes. Staring at his straight back, Delia let misery be her companion as they finished their journey in silence. This was the first time they hadn’t enjoyed companionable conversation.
In the stable yard, he did not dismount. Rather, he let a groom help her down.
“Now you are safe, my lady, I shall attempt to catch up with the group. They shall be wondering where we got to.”
“Don’t letmestop you,” she retorted, unable to storm past as she wanted to do until she’d gathered up the habit’s long skirt. Unfortunately, his horse whinnied as she did, causing her to startle.
Certain Lord Perish noticed, Delia raised her chin, eager to get away from his gaze. An instant later, she heard him galloping away.
Horrible horses!
Chapter Ten
To Delia’s surprise, Lord Perish was her dining companion that evening. They hadn’t spoken a word since the stable. Playing with her napkin on her lap, she wondered whether she should apologize.
“We missed your company,” he said after pushing in her chair and seating himself.
He must be teasing her.
“Lord Leland and the ladies said that, did they?” She couldn’t help her tart response, having received nothing but pitying looks from them since their late-afternoon return.
“Perhaps it was only myself who missed you, but they don’t know you as well as I do.”
Now, what did he mean by that?He couldn’t possibly prefer her company to those other accomplished, confident women.
Not knowing how to respond, Delia nearly said nothing. Yet inside, she longed to speak the truth.
“I regretted not being able to ride with you and see the countryside.”
The confession left her vulnerable, but she had lied to him so she owed him at least a little of her own discomfort.
“Do you mean you are willing to learn?” Lord Perish sounded excited by the prospect.
Delia considered. “I believe so. It was not as frightening as I imagined.”
“You speak as if it was your first time.” He chuckled then sipped his wine.
She wouldn’t lie again, no matter what a raw looby she seemed, so she said nothing.
