He laughed with genuine amusement. “Do not
take affront, Miss Berkley. All I meant was that we have some
rather interesting banks and walls to fly when on a chase, which…”
he cocked his head at her in some show of superiority, “you don’t
encounter in this area.”
“Perhaps not,” she conceded reluctantly. “But
then, we have marsh, streams, and all manner of obstacles that you
lack
in the North. He was an arrogant specimen and needed
some taking down, she thought. Why was he looking at her so
keenly…and so thoroughly as though seeing her for the first
time?
He cleared his throat and asked, “Do you ride
anywhere in particular or are you just exercising your…” he looked
at her animal with undisguised disdain, “…horse?”
Star took instant umbrage. She adored her
Butch. Indeed, he wasn’t a showy horse and he was nearly fifteen
years old, but he was dear and honest. Her free hand went to her
hip. “Butch here takes me safely over my fences, even when
I
err. He hunts and manages to stay right with the hounds. He has
served me willingly and lovingly for years and years and I shall
thank you to respect that which counts as much as flash ever
could.”
He went quiet and Star could not read his
thoughts, but he inclined his head and said, “Touché, Miss Berkley.
I do believe you are quite right.”
“As to where I ride, I am going to visit Miss
Madison,” she told him in one of her formal accents.
“Oh?” he said apparently unaffected by the
cold shoulder she was giving him. “I thought the Madison estate was
northwest of here…closer to Berkley Grange.”
“Indeed, it is,” Star answered without
explanation.
“And yet…here you are?”
“If you must know, I veered off a bit to
simply enjoy the day, but I am now, if you will excuse me, about to
make my way to Madison,” she said moving her horse forward.
“Would you mind a little company?” Sir Edward
asked.
“
Yours
?” she returned ruefully and
admitted to herself that while she did want his company, she didn’t
know why she should. He seemed at odds with her, so why then
prolong the agony. She was very sure he did not like or approve of
her. It was a sobering thought that dashed her hopes.
He laughed openly. “I rather deserved that.”
His eyes found hers.
Star found herself nearly mesmerized by his
glance. She had to get control over her nerves. Why should such an
arrogant, proud man have such an effect on her? He was obviously
worldly and she was not. He was also most obvious in his
disapproval of the manner in which she conducted herself. She
should not allow his good looks to sway her at all. He was
certainly not her sort. No doubt he was simply amusing himself at
her expense.
“You did deserve that and probably a bit
more,” she answered. “You should also know that my Butch here,
though aged, is a champion full of heart.”
He put up a hand, “Acquit me, I spoke like a
dolt and do beg your forgiveness. I have a horse, now out to
pasture, that I rode to the hunt and in the steeplechase for years
and years. He had French blood in him and although big, his Roman
nose was too Roman, his roan coat too spotted and we took a great
deal of abuse from my friends because of his looks. However, he
too, was a champion in his day. I should have known better than to
judge a book by its cover.”
His little speech was disarming and his smile
devastatingly charming. Was he simply telling her a story? She eyed
him doubtfully, “Is that true?”
He chuckled, “Why would I admit to such a
thing? Not an impressive tale at all, is it?”
“Well, for one thing, I don’t think you care
about impressing me and for another, I can’t imagine you sitting
anything less than Prancer.”
“So there you are, Miss Berkley,
you
don’t really know
me
,” he answered quietly. “I should like
you to…as I would like to get to know you.”
She dimpled, and ignoring the flirtation in
the words said, “Right then, is Prancer all flash and no go?”
“Shall we put him to the test for your
edification?”
She beamed, “Oh, I would love to see him in
action,” she nodded at the fence line. “I’ll bet he is a sweet
goer.”
They had reached the clearing with the
pasture ahead and he said, “What about right now?” He then quietly
asked his horse with scarcely more than a squeeze to bound
forward.
Star watched for a moment, admiring his gait
and then said, “Come on Butch, let’s catch up and take the
fence.”
The old horse charged forward and was less
than five feet behind when she watched Prancer take Sir Edward
flying over the line fence.
It was a lovely picture for both man and
horse were in fine form. She let Butch take her to the fence, for
he too was a wonderful jumper and up and over they went.
Breathless and happy she pulled up along Sir
Edward who sat his horse watching her.
“Such good fun, thank you. He is certainly
prime,” she said.
“Thank you,” he answered and arched a look at
her. “I have to admit, I am impressed with your horse as well.”
She beamed, “Now, I wanted to tell you that I
was naughty the other day when I teased you. If you are indeed
recovering from a broken heart, then it was not kind of me to poke
fun.”
“Why do you say it as though it is impossible
to believe?” he frowned at her.
“Well…for one thing, look at you!” she
answered as their horses fell in step beside one another.
“A difficult task out here, as I have no
looking glass,” he teased. “Is something wrong with the way I
look?”
“No. Quite the opposite. You look perfect,”
she returned. This time there was no mistaking the slight derision
in her tone.
“Now, why do I feel as though I should
apologize for being the object of your very flattering
compliment?”
She looked at him sharply before her sense of
humor tickled her and she said, “Oh, I didn’t mean quite anything
by it…only just… well… you are what Vern would say is top sawyer
material, a rogue of sorts…and if you weren’t so large, perhaps
even a Bow Street Dandy.”
“Oh now,
I do object
!” he said with
some heat. “A dandy, indeed!”
She laughed. “No, no. Of course not a dandy!
Everything about you is a shade too sporting for that, in spite of
your fashionable cut.” She eyed him, saw that his thighs were
muscular and his shoulders broad, she realized what she was doing
and looked away. “You are, however, not the sort…I just can’t see
you pining away for some woman. You don’t have the look of a man
who has lost the love of his life.”
He smiled at her, “Don’t I? What should a man
look like when he has lost the love of his life?”
“Ah, a good question. I have a dear
friend…actually a friend of my brother’s and when he lost Lucy to
consumption…he couldn’t eat, drink or even smile. He almost
withered away before Vern and his friends were able to get him
through it and it took months upon months. Of course, he was only a
few years older than Vern at the time, but it made a lasting
impression on me.”
“Perhaps I just am not the sort that pines in
that way?” he returned thoughtfully.
“Indeed. Even so, you just don’t appear to be
quite totally devastated. Thus, I can’t say you look as though you
have a broken heart.” She eyed him and added, “No, it doesn’t make
sense. Any of it. Tell me why she wouldn’t accept your suit, for
you are quite handsome, sporting, titled and from the look of you,
well able to take care of a wife…” she sighed and stopped
herself.
“Ho, although I am enjoying all this
flattery, I hear a
but
coming.”
She smiled, “Indeed, I am curious…you are all
these things,
but
…your lady actually still said no?”
“Love is a peculiar thing. She loved someone
else and I didn’t realize it in time. I did an outrageous
thing…unspeakable…” he still couldn’t believe that he had actually
abducted Lady Babs.
“Oh? I wonder what that unspeakable thing
was?” she said curiously. “However, I fear you aren’t quite ready
to speak of it yet, so tell me, who was your rival?” Star asked
with sympathy lining her words.
“Ah, suffice it to say that he was quite a
catch.”
“I see. Still, I find it hard to
imagine that she did not fall in love with you and all your
charms.”
He laughed, “Again, I am not sure if you are
baiting me or complimenting me. Baiting me no doubt.” He sighed.
“No, to answer you, she never allowed my charms as you say to
overcome those of my rival.”
“He must have been someone very special
indeed…at least to her,” she said almost to herself.
Sir Edward laughed with genuine appreciation,
“Why, thank you, and yes, I suppose one might think a duke quite
special indeed.”
“
A duke
?” she returned with interest.
“How exciting, you lost out to no one less than a duke, but tell
me, who…which duke?”
“Ah, some things I must keep to myself,” he
answered softly.
“Does that mean you will never tell me?”
“Probably not.”
“Not even when you know me better?” she
pursued.
“If instinct serves me, there will be even
less chance of my telling you when I get to know you better.” He
grinned broadly at her and reached over to flick her nose.
She liked his touch. She smiled softly and
told him, “That is most disagreeable of you, but never mind, I
shall work on it.” Her eyes twinkled, for they had reached the
small pasture behind the Madison stables. Star was all too aware
that she didn’t want these moments with him to end.
“Here is where we part company, for that is
Georgie’s place,” she said.
“Tell me, do you attend the Sefton Ball
tonight?” he asked curiously.
Star sighed heavily. She had wanted to go to
this ball above all things, even more so when she realized that Sir
Edward would be there. He was entertaining and conversation with
him was easy and lively.
In addition to that, she and Georgie had
helped one another with their gowns. They had taken their mother’s
beautiful ball gowns, adjusted, trimmed, cut, sewn and come up with
masterpieces. How sad to think they would not get to wear them.
“I am afraid not,” she said sadly.
“Oh?” he was surprised. “Jules tells me it is
the grandest affair of the summer. I am sadly disappointed. I had
hoped you would be there and liven up the evening.” His hazel eyes
were brightly lit.
He was teasing her again, but she didn’t
mind. She saw reluctant affection deep in the recesses of his eyes
and sighed. No doubt he liked her, but thought her no more than an
amusing schoolgirl, in spite of the fact that she was over twenty
years old.
“Don’t you want to know
why
we won’t
be there?” she asked when he didn’t.
His brow went up and he said on a chuckle,
“You are the most audacious little brat I have ever encountered. I
assumed it was because your brother is still unwell and therefore,
unable to escort you.”
“That’s right, so both Georgie and I won’t be
there.”
“Jules and I will have a very dull evening
without you two, of that I am certain. I am persuaded you and Miss
Madison are the loveliest creatures in all of Rye,” he answered and
his hazel eyes glinted gold as he found hers and looked deep.
Ruefully Star countered, “I rather think you
two will manage to go on without us.” So saying, she inclined her
head and turned her horse away from him, “Good day, Sir
Edward.”
He tipped his hat to her, “Miss Berkley—I
hope my company was not too much of an intrusion on your ride?”
She laughed and threw at him, “At first I
thought it might be, but no, I enjoyed your company.” She hurried
forward, but just as she put distance between them she took a peek
over her shoulder and saw him still in place watching her
retreating form. She couldn’t help but smile to herself as she went
on.
Sir Edward Danton had not only taken a place
in her mind, he had somehow loomed above all others. His company
always sent tickling flutters of excitement through her. He was
like no other man of her acquaintance. Everything about him drew on
her inner soul and told her he was worth the effort. She wondered
fleetingly what unspeakable thing he had done. He obviously
regretted it, so she shoved it aside.
What did it all mean? Could he be the one she
had been waiting for all her adult years? Her mind objected, but
her body and heart were one in accord on this. Was she simply
fooling herself because he was so dashing—so attractive? She sighed
and told herself that perhaps his latest experience with the woman
who had hurt him might have spoiled him for another. Had he really
suffered a genuine heartache? She found it ridiculously absurdly
that an awful snake of green had traveled through her veins and
shut it down. He didn’t look heartbroken. He didn’t act heartbroken
and she was fairly certain he was not.
He was, however, quite a challenge. Is that
why she was interested? Because he was a challenge? That was a
question she should and must consider. What did it all matter? She
was fairly certain he was merely entertaining himself. He thought
her a brat, an imp, a child. She could see that he found her
attractive but that wasn’t meaningful. Men were forever casting out
lures and dallying with women they found pretty.
What she wanted was more. What she wanted was
a love for all time. What she wanted—oh was
he
what she
wanted?
Chapter
Seven
VERN STRETCHED AND moved slowly across his
room. He could not and would not allow his sister to miss this
ball. He had quite made up his mind.
He stood, unsteadily and put his hand to the
glass of the lead paned window overlooking the green gently rolling
hills in the distance.