His mouth quirked up. “If you wish.”
Laura turned to study the horse. The mare had a striking, white marking on her forehead in the shape of a flower. “I’ll call her ‘Honeysuckle.’ ‘Honey’ for short.”
Lord Debnam chuckled. “Is that an improvement? Will she approve of such a frivolous name?”
“Surely, you must agree it is better thanBay Mare?”
He addressed his waiting groom. “Saddle…Honeyfor the lady, Keagan. And bring my horse. I’ll saddle him myself.”
The groom led out a tall, dark-brown gelding whose ears twitched. He snorted and shook his head. “He’s keen for a gallop, milord,” Keagan said.
“Then I’ll oblige him.” Lord Debnam stroked the horse’s glossy flank.
Keagan disappeared inside. He reemerged with a saddle and bridle. The sight of the earl’s quick, competent hands as he saddled the horse drew her eye. She imagined those on her body, which caused a rush of heat to her face. Turning away, she was glad of the distraction when the groom brought out her saddled mare.
“I’ll assist you, milady.”
Laura climbed on the block while the horse sidled nervously. “Thank you, Keagan. She has been exercised?”
“It is not always possible. She’s spent time in the paddock. Be wary of her, miss; she’ll be frisky.”
Laura took the groom’s hand and put her foot in the stirrup. She swung up onto the sidesaddle, then hooked her leg over the pommel and arranged her skirts. Honey danced about until she settled her.
In one smooth movement, Lord Debnam mounted his horse and Honey followed the earl’s mount out of the stable block onto the drive. As the horses ambled along, Laura inhaled the sweet fragrance of honeysuckle from the creamy, trumpet-shaped flowers growing on the vine over a wall.
Lord Debnam turned in the saddle. “The wildflowers are flowering in the meadows over the river.”
“How wonderful. I am eager to see them.”
They cantered along the drive and turned onto the bridle path, entering the well-kept woods. Unlike Longworth, where bracken grew wild, with dead trees and leaves and branches left where they fell. Only to be cleared away when they blocked the path. The scents of moss and earth rose as the horses churned up clods of damp soil. Birds chirped in the tree canopy above them. The earl did not attempt conversation, so Laura followed suit. But when they emerged from the trees, she gasped and couldn’t keep silent. “It’s glorious!”
The river flowed by in a noisy rush, churning all in its path. On the far bank, the meadows and hedgerows were a riot of wildflowers: blue harebells; the white flowers of wild garlic; yellow lady’s mantle; purple Jacob’s ladder; and others she had not seen before.
“I thought you might enjoy it,” Lord Debnam said with a smile. “Care to dismount?”
“I will.” Caught by the surrounding beauty, she acted impulsively. Then she wondered what he might have in mind. But Lord Debnam had already jumped down. He walked over to assist her. Conscious of him, so large and purposeful, she leaned into his waiting arms. His hands on her waist, he lowered her slowly to the ground. Slower than she considered necessary, her body brushing against his. She inhaled his manly scent, disrupting the peace of a moment ago. The warm imprint of his hands remained as if he’d touched her skin. “Thank you.” She stepped away and turned toward the view.
He looped the horses’ reins over a bush. “Shall we walk?”
“Oh, yes. Let’s,” she said, relieved. They strolled along the path by the riverbank. He made no oafish grab for her, and the pounding of her heart eased. She allowed the beauty of nature to envelop her senses, the air heavy with the scents of foliage, reeds, and the rushing river. A wide arc of an azure sky with barely a cloud stretched across the heavens. Laura had forgotten how wonderful it was to ride on a summer’s day. It had been such a disastrous year that she and Robert seldom took the horses out. A few yards away, a fawn emerged from the woods, its tail flicking nervously, causing her to sigh anew. It turned and disappeared into the trees.
She glanced up at the earl’s profile, feeling a little like the fawn herself. What was he thinking? He was a difficult man to understand. “You must come here often.”
“No, riding for me isn’t just an enjoyable exercise. I visit the tenant farmers with my steward, or I take the gun out with the gamekeeper to keep the game bird population at a sustainable level.”
“That certainly seems devoid of pleasure.”
His smoky-gray eyes gazed into hers. “Pleasure is always available. Should I wish to find it.”
An innocuous statement, and yet a ripple of sensation rushed through her. A warning of his intent? She wasn’t sure if she wanted to stay and see what he would do, or hurry back to the house. She wanted to discover more about this enigmatic man. But she didn’t know where to begin. Her mind was mush when he spoke in that deep voice. He might recite the Commons Parliamentary Hansard and hold her in sway.
Laura feared she could lose control, beguiled by him amid this beautiful place he had brought her to. She urged herself to be careful. This was not a chance meeting in Hyde Park. She was here for his pleasure but was determined that whatever happened between them would be on her terms.
A glance from his smoldering, gray eyes sent a pleasurable shiver down her spine. He watched her like a panther might watch his prey. When would he pounce?
She must not allow her imagination to run away with her. After all, he was a gentleman. They would likely dine this evening, enjoy wine and conversation, and then perhaps he might invite her to… She flushed, unable to pursue the thought to its conclusion.
She had increased her pace when Lord Debnam halted her with a hand on her arm. “No need to hurry. We have all afternoon.”
