Page 38 of Almost a Countess

“Ruthless as well asravishing.”

Her cheeks pinkened as she expertlygathered the reins in her gloved hands. “Shall we begin slowly witha trot, or do you think a canter would be easier onyou?”

“I ken even a walk willirritate it at first.” He shrugged. “Let’s start slow and see whatI can stand.”

Nodding, Dora urged Gretchen to a walkthen almost immediately into a trot.

Finn took just a moment to admire thelovely figure she cut, sitting the horse as though they were one.What did the Greeks call them? Centaurs? If there were females ofthe species, Dora would be one. He tapped Hannibal’s flank, and thewilling horse shot away in pursuit of the mare.

The day was beginning well, withuntold possibilities. He hoped some of the best ones would berealized.

They circled toward the back of themanor house then struck off across a series of fields that woundthem deeper into the estate. Finn’s ankle had made loudprotestations at first, but once they settled into a canter, thepain eased. The exercise would do it good. Every so often, Dorawould stop to point out some bit of interesting history regardingthe land or its environs. She seemed to know everything about herfather’s property, although he’d gotten the sense she’d not been inresidence here often or for very long until this summer. Perhapsshe’d learned most things since she’d arrived. If so, she was asintelligent as she was beautiful.

He gazed at her—they had stopped forher to point out the oldest and largest oak on the estate—drinkingin every word spoken in her lovely voice. He’d savor this day theyhad stolen together for a long time to come.

“Come on, Finn. We’realmost there.” She tapped Gretchen, and they broke into a canteragain across a perfect green pasture, heading for a littlerise.

He hurried after her, wondering where“there” was. Was she taking him to a special place?

She stopped at the crest of the smallrise, and when he joined her, found she gazed down the gentle slopeat the prettiest sight he’d seen on the property. A medium-sizedlake lay spread out before them, the water dark with catkinsgrowing around the sides. At the far edge was a stand of trees, andat the nearest point, a beautiful marble folly overlooked thelake.

“This is my favorite spotat Bromley,” Dora told him, smiling broadly. “Perhaps my favoritein the whole world. I discovered it a week after I arrived, andI’ve ridden here at least once or twice a week since. It’s sopeaceful and calm. And beautiful.”

“It is, indeed. I dinnablame ye for wanting tae come here. Thank ye for sharing it withme.” Even without her words, he’d have known she loved thisspot.

She darted a glance at him thenstarted Gretchen down the slope. They headed for the folly and whenthey arrived, she hopped down and quickly began to set up theirpicnic.

After carefully dismounting, Finnjoined her, untying the basket from behind her saddle and bringingit to her under the marble gazebo. The folly boasted stone benchesand a table, and Dora made quick work of setting out theirrepast.

At last, they sat down to the picniclunch, a culinary triumph for Mrs. McComber, with cold spicedchicken and glazed ham, bread and cheese, pork pies, vegetables inaspic, fairy cakes, chocolate biscuits, and a bottle of wine. Afeast proverbially fit for a king.

“Allow me tae serve ye.”Finn took Dora’s plate and filled it with a bit of everything,until it rivaled his plate at breakfast. “Here ye are.” He laid itbefore her then began on his own. “We’ll be well and truly fed ifwe can manage tae eat a quarter o’ this.”

Some time later, as they satcompanionably silent, too full to speak, Finn sighed. The day hadturned out to be wonderful beyond anything he’d ever expected. Hisankle was mending, now strong enough for him to ride out. Thepicnic had been charming, in a bucolic setting to rival anything inShakespeare. And the companionship, beyond perfect. They had spokenof his home at Daingneach Mòr, of his childhood there and hers inWiltshire. Neither had been ideal, but both had some fondmemories.

“I wish I could take yetae Aberfoyle.” He sipped his wine and leaned back on the stonebench. “Ye could see for yerself the wild beauty o’ the land.Meadow after meadow o’ heather sae it looks like a carpet o’lavender. Nearby is the River Forth, as clear and cold as yer weeloch but stretching farther than the eye can see. Wild waterfallsthroughout the land and,” he dropped his voice to a whisper, “thereis Doon Hill rising up like a specter out o’ the very earthitself.” He raised his hands high. “’Tis where the faerie folklive, and if ye’re not careful, they take ye off tae live under thehill with them.”

Dora shivered then laughed. “I canalmost see it, Finn. It sounds wild and wonderful.”

“Very different from here,yet still charming.”

“The way you describe it,I must like it. Such a wild and exciting place.” Dora drained thelast drops from her glass. “I would love to go there oneday.”

If only he didn’t have to travel toLondon instead. “Once my affairs are put in order, I’d like taecome back here. Call upon ye formally.” He gazed into her eyes,blue as the lochs near his home, and leaned toward her. “If yewould allow me tae.”

Her breath came in little gasps, butshe leaned toward him as well. “I would be more than happy to enjoyyour company again.”

She was so close he could smell thesweet scent of roses that enveloped her, and he could resist nolonger. He continued forward, compelled as though an invisible handurged him, until his lips met hers, and the sweetness he foundthere undid him completely.

Chapter 16

The look in Finn’s eyes, darker thanshe’d ever seen them before, told Dora he wanted to kiss her, evenbefore he began to lean toward her. Her heart sped up, so fast shecould hear nothing save the blood beating in her ears. Withoutthought, she leaned into him, closing her eyes just as their lipsmet.

Firm, yet gentle, he pressed his mouthto hers. With the lightest touch, he moved his lips against hers,and heat cascaded through her, as though she stood before a ragingfire. Yet all she could think was how incredibly sweet he was, thismoment was. All last night she’d wondered what it would be like tokiss Finn. Happily, the reality far outshone anything she’dimagined.

Emboldened by the flames lickingthrough her veins, she pressed back, needing him to understand shewanted this as well. Never had she experienced such a tendernesstoward anyone, a longing to enfold them and be enfolded in return.When he gently cupped her cheek, she wept with joy, unable tocontain the happiness filling her to the brim.

Slowly, he pulled away, although hecontinued to cradle her face. “Was that yer first kiss?”