He watched her from the corner of his eye as she slowed her horse to a canter. If she was at all affected by what had happened last night at the club, she was doing an excellent job of hiding it. She hadn’t acted a bit differently toward him today. Meanwhile, Griffin felt as if his world had been picked up and dumped upside down.
“It’s been too long,” he replied, slowing his horse as well. He had to remain as nonchalant as she was. That was the only way to get through this outing.
“Far too long,” Meredith agreed. “We should do it more often.”
She stopped and dismounted.
“Agreed.” Griffin stopped and dismounted too.
He tied both horses to a nearby tree trunk before making his way to Meredith’s side. They walked together through the soft green grass toward the water’s edge. Meredith took a seat atop a large boulder nearby, and Griffin lowered himself to sit next to her.
He braced a palm on his knee. “How did it go last night? At the Onyx Club?” He had to know her thoughts. She couldn’t possibly be as unaffected as she seemed. He also wanted to see if she gave anything away that proved she knew it was him.
Meredith tucked a stray bit of hair beneath her bonnet. “It, er… I’d rather not talk about it, actually.” She gave him a shaky smile and didn’t meet his gaze.
Hmm. So shewasaffected by it? Good. He wasn’t the only one. Butdid she know it was him? He still couldn’t tell. She might simply be reticent to share such intimate details with him.
She was facing the water, and he watched her profile. Was Meredith…blushing again? Was she remembering how she’d saidhisname last night? Jesus Christ. This ruse was untenable.
“Things didn’t go badly, did they?” he prodded. Because if he hadn’t been there himself,thatwas the next question he would ask.
“Not…exactly.” She shrugged one shoulder in that familiar way of hers and the hint of a wicked smile touched her lips. “He…wanted to tell me his name. I didnotwant that.”
Griffin sucked in his breath. His chin dipped. There was his answer. She couldn’t be any more clear. She knew it was him, and she was telling him in no uncertain terms that they should continue to pretend their time at the club was disguised.
“I had…quite a lot of fun,” she continued.
He lifted his head. “Fun? Is that what you call it?” God damn it. He wasin lovewith her. Didn’t she know it? Or didn’t she care? She was obviously attracted to him at least. There was no way she was faking her reactions in bed with him. She’d enjoyed herself. She’d just admitted it. But what did that mean? She didn’t want a future with him…only pleasure? Is that why she hadn’t allowed him to tell her who he was last night?
Meredith expelled her breath, stood, and smoothed a gloved hand down the front of her riding habit. “I’ve beenthinking a lot, Griffin, and I…” She glanced away, almost nervously.
What was this? Meredith was never shy. Had he mistaken things? Was she about to tell him? Was she about to recount what had happened last night? Admit she knew it was him? His breath caught. His heart hammered.
“I’m ready to make my next guess about the identity of your future bride,” she finished.
Griffin expelled his breath and shook his head.Thathad been the last thing he’d expected her to say. “Intent upon changing the subject, I see.” He couldn’t help the frustration in his voice. Because he already knew she would never guess herself. She didn’t want to know the truth.
She didn’t respond. Fine. He’d prodded her enough. She had the right to change the subject. “Go ahead then. Guess.” He reached down and grabbed a stone from the grass beside the boulder.
“Miss Caroline Bounty,” came Meredith’s voice, but she hardly sounded convinced.
Griffin drew back his arm and threw the stone. It skipped across the water. Jesus. This was more excruciating with each passing moment. He wanted to pick up the goddamn boulder and throw it into the lake. “I’m afraid not.”
Meredith heaved a sigh. “Fine. And don’t say it. I know. Onlytwoguesses left. I’ll have you know, I’m running out of ideas. I like Caroline very much. She would make a fine wife. And I could have sworn you were looking at her at the ball the other night.”
Griffin frowned. “Was Caroline there?”
Meredith threw up her hands. “Oh, you’re impossible.” She took a seat on the boulder again.
“So I’ve heard,” he replied with a halfhearted grin. Hefting another stone in his hand, Griffin glanced over at Meredith. “May I ask you a question?”
“Of course.” She turned to face him and perched her folded hands atop her knee. “As long as it’s not about what I did last night.”
“It’s not.” He shook his head. God damn him to hell. He already knew what she did last night. No. Today he wanted to knowwhyshe was so intent on his marriage. Why she couldn’t bloody well admit she had feelings for him. Feelings thathe knewwere far fromfriendly.
She nodded. “Very well. Ask then.”
“Why is it you don’t give your brother the same hell you give me?”
