Jessie; he was reluctant to leave her.
Now that he’d made her acquaintance, he found he could not so easily put her from his thoughts, or his life.
He felt some measure of responsibility for her father’s death, he told himself. He’d never expected the man to be such a weak-kneed, feckless fool. Nor had he ever expected to feel any remorse. Yet as much as he’d like to deny it now, he felt duty-bound to look after Jessamine’s welfare. He’d purposely set out to devastate both her father’s name and his resources.
And God damn him to hell, he’d succeeded.
What he hadn’t counted on was the man losing a son, as well, and then taking his life over his losses. It had merely been his intention to give The Duke of Westmoor a small taste of whathe himself had been dealt. The man had proven a weak-minded fool.
God’s teeth, why the devil should he feel guilty for any of it?
He shook his head in self-disgust, his jaw working, for the fact was that he did. Pivoting his mount about, he headed towards Westmoor, ignoring the warnings that sounded like foghorns in his head. But he had the distinct feeling he was going to sorely regret this.
Jessie marveledthat no matter how oft the colt was brought outdoors, it reacted as surprised and delighted with the warm sun upon its back as it had upon its first outing. The instant she detached the leading rein, it darted away, bucking and twisting in a dance of euphoria. Then suddenly it stopped, ears perked, only to dance again without warning. She giggled softly at its antics. There was no question that the animal was altogether enchanted with life. She only wished she were, too.
Her knight in shining armor was somewhat tarnished.
Nearby, the dam stood nibbling at the grass. Every so oft she’d glance up to eye the colt, and nicker softly as though to reproach him—a useless gesture, for the colt merely dismissed her gentle rebuke, and her whinny managed only to attract Mrs. Brown’s attention.
Mrs. Brown, the old goat, had been a faithful companion to many a brood mare, and seemed to have grown particularly fond of the stable’s newest addition. The faithful animal seemed content as long as she had something to nibble, grass, leaves, the mare’s mane or tail. Jessie smiled. Once, even, the goat had managed to swallow a goodly portion of her skirt before she’d even realized it stood behind her.
Just now, Mrs. Brown’s ancient face appeared between the fence slats, head cocked inquisitively. As Jessie watched, the goat shimmied beneath the fence to join her companions. Hoisting herself up, Jessie sat upon the fence to watch the goat and mare sniff proper greetings to one another. Afterward, as though they’d shared some great parental confidence, the mare nodded and Mrs. Brown turned to scrutinize the spirited colt with a commiserative bleat. Despite her glum mood, Jessie found herself smiling at the amusing exchange, for they were not unlike a pair of gossiping old maids.
Christian spotted her at once, sitting upon the stable fence, her back to him.
He didn’t bother dismounting. She was so enthralled with the young foal gamboling before her that she didn’t seem to realize his presence even once he was directly behind her. She laughed suddenly, the sound low and musical, and warmth spread through his veins.
“Good morning,m’mselle.”
She swung about, nearly toppling from her perch upon the fence. “My lord!” Regaining her composure, she cast him a reproachful glance. “You startled me. How do you manage to appear so suddenly?”
Christian swung down from his mount, forcing levity, offering a wink and a smile. If she asked him to leave, he didn’t know what he’d do. “My apologies if I’ve disturbed you,cherie.”
“Not at all,” she said, somewhat sullenly, looking almost like a child with her slumped shoulders. There was no chance, however, she could be mistaken for a child, for her femininity was nothing if not conspicuous.
She turned away to watch the colt, avoiding his gaze. “I wasn’t expecting you,” she said. “In truth, I thought perhaps you’d taken your leave of Hakewell, for ’tis been an age since I saw you last.”
Christian felt certain she wasn’t aware how much she had disclosed with her carefully worded grievance.
“I had business to attend,” he lied, and hobbled his mount to the fence, then hoisted himself up to sit beside her, facing her, his back to the enclosure to better see her.
She looked at him, brows drawn. Devil hang him if she didn’t have the most beautiful eyes. They were his undoing.
“Didn’t you miss me at all?” he whispered at her ear.
For a long instant she merely stared, and he could see the confusion in her eyes. He’d done this to her, he realized. Without even trying, he’d begun to do her damage already. What more injury might be done if he stayed?
He should leave, he knew. It was the right thing to do, but he couldn’t... .
“I did, my lord,” she confessed, and her eyes turned suspiciously liquid. He cursed himself roundly. She ducked her head, her cheeks flushing prettily, and Christian reached out to lift her chin with a finger.
Their gazes held.
He stroked her chin with his thumb.
God only knew, he didn’t deserve her assurance, but he needed to hear it, even so…
“I’m glad to know I’m not so easily dismissed,” he said, his voice as gentle as a caress.
