Page 112 of Courting the Country Miss

He shrugged. “I wasn’t very manly then, so ’tis of no consequence.”

“You have always been manly, and you know it.”

His gaze slid her way and a secretive smile hovered at his lips as if he had tucked some surprise gift there and waited for the right moment to share it with her. If it were anything like his kiss, she ought to sit down first or she might not survive with her composure intact.

The gleam in his eye, two parts playful and one part sensual, had an adverse effect on her heartbeat. “Yes, I suppose I have always been manly. You, however have not always been so womanly—you were once a scrawny little brat.”

“You oughtn’t remind a lady of things like that,” she said with exaggerated primness.

His rich, contagious chuckle warmed her all over and she had to smile.

They reached the end of the fence dividing Rotten Row from the rest of the park and guided their mounts into the riding pathway. No one else used the Row this morning, not even grooms exercising horses. They trotted at a comfortable pace, Leticia adjusting to her borrowed horse’s gait, and Tristan riding as if he were born in the saddle.

For a time, the pathway followed the Serpentine River. Ducks glided over the surface like tiny boats leaving V-shaped wakes. The crisp morning air chilled Leticia’s cheeks and filled her with exhilaration. Her horse strained against the reins, asking to run. Leticia let him increase to an easy gallop. Next to her, Tristan kept pace, grinning and rosy-cheeked. The ease of riding next to Tristan combined with the fresh air renewed her and quieted the questions in her mind. All too soon, they reached the end of the riding trail.

As they slowed to a walk, he took a deep breath and let it out. “A gratifying ride, due in part to the charming company.”

“Flatterer.”

“Honest.”

Leticia’s stomach rumbled. “Have you broken your fast yet?”

“No, I never have much appetite first thing in the morning.”

“I find that hard to believe since you always seem to be hungry.”

“It does indeed take a great deal of food to keep all of this”—he gestured to himself from head to toe—“so manly. I merely cannot begin feeding myself too early.”

She huffed her amusement. “I’m not interested in feeding your conceit, but I haven’t eaten yet, either. Care to join me for breakfast? My aunt won’t mind.”

“Thank you.”

A feminine rider trotted toward them with a groom following behind. As the rider neared, the features of Lady Petre became clear. The lady glanced at them. Leticia sighed. The woman’s husband and mother-in-law were odious but this lady seemed different, if a bit browbeaten.

“Lady Petre,” Leticia called out by way of greeting.

The lady flushed, glanced at Tristan, and flushed deeper. The groom following behind her kept up close enough to attend to her should the need arise, but at a respectful distance to allow privacy.

Lady Petre slowed and nodded to them. “Miss Wentworth. Mr. Barrett.”

“It’s the perfect day for a bruising ride,” Leticia said.

Lady Petre slowed as if to speak more, maneuvering her horse so she faced Leticia. “Miss Wentworth, I wish to apologize for my husband and mother-in-law. Their remarks in the teashop and at the opera were…unkind.” She lowered her gaze and twisted her reins in her hands. “I hope you are not offended.”

Leticia moved closer to her. “I assure you that I have quite forgotten. Think nothing of it.”

A pained smile came over Lady Petre’s face. “Thank you for being so gracious. And I…” She swallowed. “I applaud your efforts with the school. I wish I could lend my support.”

“I understand, my lady.” If she’d been able to reach the lady, Leticia would have grasped her hand. “Not everyone agrees with what we are doing, and of course I would not ask you to act against your husband’s wishes.”

The lady glanced up. “It isn’t him; it’s his mother. She has very strong opinions. If she weren’t so set against it, he might be persuaded…perhaps…”

Poor thing. Living with an overbearing mother-in-law and a son who agreed with everything she said must be a trial. Leticia searched for something comforting to say. “I’m sure he’s a good man deep down.”

The lady continued to look down as she nodded. “Thank you. Good morning.”

Tristan spoke. “Thank you for stopping to speak with us, Lady Petre. Your good opinion matters to us.”