She took the flower from him and smelled it as she walked past him toward the stream. “I thank you—I think.”
He chuckled. “Yes, that was a compliment.”
She knelt by the stream and ran her fingers through the water. Leaning against the tree near her, Broderick studied her, wondering why she had suddenly become quiet. The gentle breeze lifted the wavy strands of her hair that had miraculously escaped her tight bun. His gaze traveled further to her ears and neck, which was actually beginning to tempt him to lean down and kiss her skin. Strange how hard it was to hold back from doing so.
As he studied her, he realized she would be the hit of London if she were a real lady. If she arranged her hair the right way and wore elegant dresses that fit, she would indeed make one very beautiful woman. She carried herself as a lady, and talked as one, too, which was quite surprising—but then, he suspected it was because she had been around the earl’s daughter for a few years. Strange, but Lady Sarah didn’t speak as eloquently as her companion, nor did she carry herself as well. Yet Emiline was the one who was the poor relative. Very confusing.
Her pretty eyes were surrounded by dark, thick lashes, almost like butterfly wings. Soft skin and high cheekbones made her face appear more delicate. Indeed, she was one very handsome woman. Then again, so was Lady Sarah, yet… There was something not quite right, and he couldn’t pinpoint the problem.
“Emiline?”
She didn’t take her eyes off the water. “Yes?”
“I was just wondering about something.”
“What is that?”
Curiosity got the better of him. “Why do you know more and seem more educated than Lady Sarah? You mentioned earlier you rode a stallion, yet once when I was with Lady Sarah, she said she had never been on one before. Can you tell me why this is?”
Her hand froze in the water, and she stiffened.
Now heknewshe had a secret.
*
Emmie cursed underher breath. Dare she weave more into her web of lies? Or could she trust him with the truth? As much as shewantedto trust him, the simple fact was that she didn’t know Broderick very well at all. She didn’t know the Cramptons, either. Would they frown upon her father’s decision to keep his daughter’s identity hidden? She doubted they would understand.
She tried to steady her heart as she looked up at him. “I was born to a struggling farmer and his sickly wife. My mother died when I was young, and my father raised me to help him around the farm. He also worked as a horse trainer for the wealthy, and he taught me that trade. When he became ill and couldn’t make a living, that is when he sent a letter to his distant cousin—Lady Sarah’s father—to ask for help. The earl agreed to have me be his daughter’s companion until she married. So, I suppose you can say I received the best of both worlds while growing up.”
Broderick’s eyebrows rose in curiosity. “That certainly explains why you can ride a horse astride so well.”
She nodded. “Exactly.”
“But that doesn’t explain why Lady Sarah cannot.”
“Um… She has terrible allergies around horses.”
He knelt beside her, touching another summer snowflake flower to the tip of her nose. “I suppose that is what makes you so special.”
“Not being allergic makes me special?”
He chuckled. “No, being raised the way you were.”
She gazed back into his eyes, and heaven help her, she couldn’t look away. A few minutes ago, his jabbing remarksabout Lady Sarah’s feelings had really irritated Emmie, and yes, jealousy crept into her mind. Now his kind words were like sweet honey.
She didn’t reply to his comment. She couldn’t. Trapped in his mesmerizing gaze, she felt her heart hammer faster, shooting vibrations through her insides until they threatened to melt. Something needed to stop, or she would soon find herself swooning in his arms.
He slowly slid the flower petals down the bridge of her nose to drop on her lips, his eyes following the path. Automatically, she parted her lips, and the tip of the flower rested on her lower lip. The urge to kiss him became strong, and she wanted to bring back the heated excitement flowing through her when he had kissed her before.
Her mind argued this wasn’t right, but the tingling in her body countered, reminding her how incredible his arms had felt around her.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t get involved with a man like him. Her father wouldn’t approve.
She forced herself to stand and move away from him as she cleared her throat. “So, is this the only part of the countryside you are going to show me?”
For a minute, she thought he looked disappointed, but instantly the expression was gone. Could he have wanted to kiss her, too?Probably not. Those fantasies were only in her mind.
“You want to see more?”
