It was like a game of tag. One minute the colt chased Peter, the next I raced him until I couldn’t breathe. On and on and on. Laughing as easily as I breathed, like I hadn’t a care in the world.
“He’s gone mad.” I leaped away from Winter, bouncing him back to Peter like a ball in a game. “Give me something. You must have more food.”
Winter nuzzled into my skirts, and I pushed him backward.
Peter was breathing hard, his cheeks flushed from laughter, his wavy brown hair framing his face. He shoved away the colt and linked his arm with mine. “His mother can feed him. Shall we escape?”
“To where?” I swiped a loose curl away from my eyes.
We started down the hill, and I tightened my hold on his arm, bracing myself so as not to slip. Peter didn’t seem to mind, pulling me closer. His coat smelled like the woods mixed with soap and oats.
“I can show you the orchard, if you like. You missed it on the tour,” he said pointedly, smiling.
I remembered our first picnic together, when he battered me for information on Clara and chased me up this very hill. I did not know who to believe: the glove-stealing, scheming, arrogant man of our first meeting, or the amiable, carefree, kind man I’d witnessed of late. Both were undeniably handsome. But which was the most genuine Peter Wood? I rather liked his friendship this afternoon, but I supposed it did not matter. Either way, I was stuck with him.
“Then shall today’s owed afternoon be accounted for?” I teased with feigned exasperation. The truth was, I’d had more fun with Peter today than I’d had in years.
Peter’s grin dropped for so slight a moment I thought I imagined it.
“Worried about keeping me at my word?” His voice was heavier than usual as he gazed across the beautiful, sunlit view that seemed to go on for miles. “The orchard first, and then I shall release you.”
We walked a few paces in silence. Had I said something to offend him? I shot him a sideways glance, wondering if he would react to my goading.
“Good. I expect it will take me hours to fix my hair after all thishorseplaytoday.”
He raised a brow, looking at me with narrowed eyes and a smile on his lips. “Are you attempting humor, Miss Moore?”
I pressed my lips together, trying to remain serious. “I believe it was less of an attempt and more a success. Though I cannot say I find messy hair all that funny.”
He chuckled. “For what it’s worth, I thinkhorseplaylooks rather good on you.”
I shot him a look of playful derision. At least four curls had loosened from their pins during our escapade with Winter. “Your joke is not as funny as mine, Peter.”
“What would Lieutenant Rawles think?” he asked, peering at me through his lashes.
I raised my chin. “I am sure I do not know. Perhaps we should stick to proper conversation on our journey to the orchard.” Especially if Peter meant to continuethisconversation.
“That would not suit me. And I believe I have the final say in our afternoons, do I not?” Peter tilted his head. The orchards were just coming into view, with darkened clouds lulling overhead.
Powerless, I frowned. Was everything a game to Peter? These afternoons were becoming more than I’d bargained for. “I do not remember creating rules. I also do not remember having much choice in the matter at all. You were the one insistent on these afternoons.”
He looked straight at the leafy orchard as we approached. “It was necessary, was it not? You cannot have me distracting Sir Ronald. And I cannot have you encouraging your sister.” He said the words flatly, without sincerity, and I wondered if he had another motive. Something more personal, perhaps.
“Is that all?” I asked.
He released my arm, thumbing tiny fruit on the apple trees. “What other reason could there be?”
I studied his unreadable expression to no avail. Of course there was no other reason. Peter and I were enemies, two people on opposing sides of a battle. Only sometimes it felt like his compliments were earnest, his attentions given out of care. I shook my head. My inexperience with men made Peter’s tiny compliments feel much bigger than they were. It was clearly Peter’s nature to smile freely and flatter as he wished. Yet another difference between us.
“We share that priority, then. Loyalty to our sisters.” I picked a jagged leaf off the nearest apple tree.
“Indeed.” Peter said with as much indifference as though he’d spoken to the wind. That was what I’d wanted to hear, was it not? At least now we were both at an understanding. I wouldn’t have to wonder about Peter’s intentions with our bargain, for they mirrored my own after all.
Chapter Ten
Thunder rolled threateningly all evening, preceded by sharp lightning. I’d awoken to the storm several times, and now that it was morning, I hoped the sun would soon break through and dry up the ominous rain clouds atop the hill.
Our room was dark and dreary even with the curtains pulled back. I dreaded spending an entire day indoors with little chance of escape, but as I peered out into the darkened morning, my thoughts turned to Lord Gray. I became keenly aware of my breathing, how smoothly my lungs pulled in air and blew it back out again.
