What a mess he’d made of his life already. Trey had been correct when he’d mentioned that Hanover Hall would either bring him happiness or bring him ruination. Adrian felt that by the time everything was out in the open, nobody in Leicestershire would want to talk to him.
Perhaps he’d been too hasty deciding to play the part of a country-bumpkin.
He moved away from the pond that was surrounded by trees, and out into the clearing. Where was Lyndsey? He’d expected her to ride up on a horse minutes after he’d arrived, but he’d been here for a good fifteen minutes already and there was no sign of her. Had she forgotten? Or had she decided not to come at all?
Grumbling, he stomped back toward the pond. If he had to ride back to her farm and kidnap her just so she wouldn’t visit with his brother, Adrian would do it. He couldn’t have Collin falling in love with this particular Benson sister.
The pounding of horses’ hooves jerked him out of his discouraging thoughts, and he darted back into the clearing. When he saw Lyndsey on the horse coming toward him – riding astride, no less – his heartbeat quickened.
She stopped the animal, and he reached up to help her dismount. She swung one leg over, placed her hands on his shoulders, and he lifted her down. She avoided his gaze, and a pain of yearning tightened in his chest, making him realize he needed to see her bright blue eyes again.
As he skimmed over her attire, he nearly lost his breath. She’d been lovely last night, but now... she was so alluring. She wore a plain lavender day dress, but the way she’d left her hair long and flowing over her shoulders caused his mind to stop and his heartbeat to accelerate.
And of course, she wore no bonnet. He almost laughed, but he was too mesmerized by her beauty to do anything but stare. He was probably drooling, too. He wiped his mouth, just in case.
“Thank you for meeting me,” he told her.
She took the reins and led the horse to the nearest tree, tying the reins to a limb. “Let’s make this quick. I need to return before my family starts asking too many questions.”
Tenderly, he took her hand and walked toward the pond. The surrounding trees would help keep their talk a little private.
“I must say,” he said, glancing at her, “that I’m surprised your hair is not styled.”
She shrugged. “I’d planned on resting to get rid of my headache, so I didn’t see a need to style it just to meet you.”
The snappy tone of her voice worried him. She sounded upset at him, and that she just didn’t care that they were together right now. She tried to pull her hand away from his, but he wouldn’t let it go. Instead, he tugged her closer to him until he could slip his arm around her waist. Finally, her gaze jumped up and met his and she rested her other hand on his chest. She still wasn’t smiling.
“I’m not saying that I don’t approve of your hair.” He glanced over it again. “I like it long and flowing over your shoulders. It fits your bold personality.”
Her throat constricted in what must have been a hard swallow.
“Mr. Dorsey, if you don’t mind, I’d rather not get personal like we were last evening.”
He stroked her cheek. “But what if Idomind?”
One of her eyebrows lifted. “Then I suppose you’ll have to get used to disappointment.”
She tried to move out of his arms again, but he tightened his hold on her. “Lyndsey? What is bothering you? Why are you like this? The last time we were together, you didn’t seem to mind being in my arms and staring dreamily into my eyes.”
She sighed heavily. “Because I realized the mistake of allowing you such liberties last night.”
He cocked his head. “You cannot tell me you didn’t enjoy what we shared in the pantry, because I know differently.”
“That was last night, and I was... caught up in the moment. Today I realized I was wrong.”
He loosened his hold on her and studied her pretty blue eyes that couldn’t seem to meet him. “Tell me, my sweet Lyndsey, would you rather be with the Earl of Hanover right now, in his arms and kissing him the way you had kissed me?”
A loud gasp sprang from her throat and her eyes widened. Before he knew what was happening, she slapped him across the face. He released her and stepped back. Perhaps he deserved that. Although he’d been wondering if she would rather be with his brother, he probably shouldn’t have spoken his thoughts aloud.
But what startled him more than the slap was seeing her injured expression. Anger was one of the emotions displayed, but her eyes watered as she blinked rapidly. Her lips trembled and her breathing quickened.
“Howdareyou say that,” she spat. She took a ragged breath. “You told me last night that you respected me, and now you make me sound like I’m a... a...” Her voice broke.
Tears slid down her cheeks, tearing his heart to pieces.I’m such a fool!Why had he been so mean? He hadn’t meant it that way. In fact, he’d hoped that she wanted to be with him and not his brother. But he couldn’t stand seeing her so sad. The more tears that streamed down her cheeks, the worse he felt. A lump of emotion formed in his throat.
“Forgive me, my sweet Lyndsey.” He took her back into his arms, but she slapped at his chest. He deserved it, but he didn’t know how else to let her feel his sorrow right now. “Please forgive me for saying that.”
“Why... did you?” She looked up at him with her eyes full of tears.
