He folded his arms. “I am agog withexcitement. What plan have you in store for us?”
“Not us. Me.”
“Oh?”
“I plan to travel acrossthe country, riding Jessie.”
Harry stared at her. “You are jokingof course.”
“No, I’m not. I’veconsidered it most carefully. I am an excellent rider. I shalldress as a man.”
“Of all the mad schemes!”He scowled. “Congratulations. I’m difficult to shock, but you haveachieved it.”
“I planned to go by stage,but I’m rather short of money.” She hadn’t expected him to bepleased but this forceful reaction surprised her. “I am of age. Andit really doesn’t concern you. You can go home with a clearconscience knowing you did your best.”
Harry raked his fingers through hishair. “So, I’m to go happily home, with the knowledge that you willbe ravished and murdered in a day or so? Is that your opinion ofme?”
“I think you’re a very niceman,” she said coolly. “But apart from our fathers’ putting theirheads together, you have nothing to do with my life or what Ichoose to do with it.”
Harry folded his arms and leaned backagainst the stable door. “May I ask your destination? Just as amatter of interest?”
“Ireland.”
“Jack’s on his way there.What’s the attraction of Ireland?”
“My mother’s family livejust outside Dublin.”
“How long since you’ve seenthem?”
She turned away to stroke Jessie’ssmooth head which was thrust over the top of the stable door. “I’venever met them.”
“Ho!”
“What does ‘ho’ mean,precisely.”
“That my suspicions areproved correct. This is a madcap scheme, Erina. And you knowit.”
She lifted her chin. “I don’t seewhy.”
“You should write to them.Perhaps someone will come to England to visit you.”
“I don’t have time to,” shesnapped. “And you knowthatfull well.”
“I see.” Harry moved awayfrom the door. “If you stay, you will be forced into marriage. Withme. The very worst thing that can happen to a lady.”
Erina raised her hand. “Harry, that’snot true. I like you, I do. But I don’t love you.” She frowned.“And you don’t love me.”
“Please don’t tell me whatI feel or don’t feel.”
He stalked the length of the stablesand back. “Before I leave here tomorrow, will you promise me not togo off on this dangerous expedition? We can discuss it again whenwe meet in London.”
“We have only a matter ofdays. And once I’m in London without my horse, I’ll bestuck.”
She stepped closer to try to coax himonside. Placed a hand on his claret silk waistcoat. Beneath it hischest felt muscular and strong. Somehow, she’d never thought of himthat way. Hastily, she withdrew her hand. “Will you helpme?”
“Help you? Good Lord,Erina, what are you asking of me?”
“To defy your father andmine, Harry.”
