Ellie began to rise from her seat before the carriage even came to a complete stop. “I’ll ride.” It was either ride or throw herself from the moving carriage.
The driver pulled to a halt and she stepped down. Alec handed her his horse’s reins and took her place next to Charlotte.
Eleanor mounted and rode away from her tormentors as if the hounds of hell were chasing her. She’d managed to put about ten paces between herself and the carriage before Camden drew his horse up next to hers. “I didn’t dare hope for your company this morning, Lady Eleanor. If this is a result of our truce, I’m sorry I didn’t suggest it earlier.”
Eleanor sighed. From the proverbial pan straight into the fire.
Still . . . she glanced back at the carriage. She could see by the look on Charlotte’s face her sister’s temper hadn’t improved. She swung back around on the saddle to face Cam. “I congratulate you, sir. You’re the less objectionable of two offensive options.”
To her surprise, he grinned. “Those aren’t truce-worthy sentiments. You’ll have to do better than that, or I’ll be forced to wave a white flag in the air every time you insult me, to remind you of our agreement.”
Ellie felt a smile threaten. How ridiculous! He was a very devil, but a devil with a playful side. Irresistible. “Nonsense. You don’t have a white flag.”
He shrugged. “No, but I do have a white cravat, and I won’t hesitate to use it. Try and explainthatto your sisters.”
Eleanor cocked her head to the side, considering. “All right, then. You aremuchless objectionable than my other offensive option.”
“I’ll make do with that.”
Amelia, who never seemed to be far from her brother, drew her horse up next to Cam’s. “Will you ride the rest of the way, Lady Eleanor?”
Eleanor couldn’t help but smile at the child’s eager expression. “Certainly, if you like, though in exchange you must tell me all about Lindenhurst, Amelia. Do you ride often while you’re there? I see you’re an accomplished horsewoman, so I imagine you must.”
Amelia glowed at the praise. “Oh, yes. I’ve had Penelope since I was five.” She reached down to run a gentle hand over the mare’s neck. “She’s a gift from Denny.”
“How lovely she is,” Eleanor said, with a sidelong glance at Cam.
“There are ever so many pretty paths and places to ride near the house,” Amelia went on. “Will you let me show you while we’re there?”
“I’d consider it a great favor if you would. You must know the grounds better than anyone. Do you miss your home, now you live in London?”
Amelia shrugged with the blithe unconcern of a child who finds a home everywhere she goes. “Not too much. I ride in London every day, in one park or another, and besides, Gunter’s is in London.”
“Amelia has a weakness for lemon ices.” Cam grinned at his sister.
Eleanor arched an eyebrow at him. “The whole of London has a weakness for lemon ices.”
“Do you?” Amelia asked.
“Oh, yes. Lemon ices, marzipan and sugared almonds in particular. All sweets, really.”
“Except trifle.” Cam’s words were innocent, but his voice . . .
Eleanor darted a look at him and caught her breath. Oh, my, but he looked—wicked. She meant to turn away, but she found herself gazing at his mouth instead.
Strawberries, warm from his tongue, his lips sweet with cream.
“Do you like sweets after all, my lady?” He held her gaze. “Ah, I knew you must have pleasure in something.”
Eleanor flushed and forced herself to look away.
“London has the best sweets.” Amelia spoke with the air of one who has settled the matter. “I like living there. Sometimes I do miss Lindenhurst, but my home is wherever Denny is, you know, and Denny doesn’t like it there.”
Eleanor jerked her attention back to Amelia, startled by this information. “He doesn’t?”
“Amelia—” Cam began at the same time.
Amelia ignored his warning in favor of Eleanor’s question. “No, not at all. We haven’t been back once since he returned from India.”
