Free Elizabeth Mansfield by Matched Pairs Page A

“Now, listen carefully. I’ve a plan. Whatever I say this morning, be sure to agree with me.
    She had no opportunity to ask what he meant, for his lordship, who’d ridden a bit ahead, was looking at them over his shoulder, his eyebrows raised curiously.
    They caught up with him and cantered along the river in silence. When they came to the line of shrubs that bordered Larchwood, they all took the leap over the hedges with ease. As they started across the field at an easy trot, Tris pulled his horse to a sudden stop. “I say, was that your gardener I just saw?” he asked Julie abruptly.
    She blinked, startled. “Jenkins? Why, no, I don’t think it could’ve been—”
    Tris cut her off with a furious glare. “I want to ask him something,” he said, abruptly turning his horse toward the east. “Go on ahead, you two. I’ll catch you up.” And before either of the others could say a word, he’d spurred his horse and ridden off.
    “Well, he’s getting a good gallop, at any rate,” Canfield observed dryly, looking after the rapidly disappearing horse and rider.
    “Yes,” Julie said awkwardly. “I must apologize for him. That was very rude.”
    “Not at all. I’m rather glad he’s gone, actually.”
    “Really?” She lifted her eyes to his for the first time in their encounter. “Why?”
    “It gives me the chance to talk to you. After all, I was not given that opportunity the last time we met. You rode off so abruptly.”
    Her eyes fell, and her cheeks reddened. “Yes, I remember. But I wish you would forget all about that encounter.”
    “It’s not very likely. It was a memorable meeting. But I won’t speak of it if you prefer that I don’t.”
    “I do prefer it,” she said.
    “Very well, ma’am. Then let’s speak of the first time we met. I was not given the opportunity to get acquainted with you that time either.”
    “I know. I was sorry about that. I would have very much liked... er, that is, I’d have enjoyed dancing with you. I’m afraid my mother is... is...”
    “A bit of a dragon?”
    His directness caused a laugh to gurgle up from her chest. “Yes, exactly! Did someone describe her that way to you, my lord, or did you come to that conclusion on your own?”
    “Both, I think. She did seem to eat me alive that night. But must you call me my lord? Your friend Tris calls me Peter quite easily.”
    He blush deepened. “I don’t think I can be expected to do it quite so easily as he does.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because you two apparently have become ... acquainted.”
    “But so have you and I.”
    “Yes, I suppose...” She threw him a quick, shy little glance. “But not very well acquainted.”
    “Ah, I see. And you won’t call me Peter until we’re well acquainted, is that it?”
    She answered only with a small movement of her shoulder that didn’t say yes or no. He studied her with interest, wondering how he could penetrate her shyness. It was like a wall she’d erected to keep her safe from the rest of the world, although even in the short time he’d known her, he’d caught glimpses of the charm she kept hidden behind it. “Is there something I might do or say to make us well acquainted?” he asked earnestly.
    She did not have the courage to meet his eyes. “I don’t think one can rush such things, do you?”
    “You’re probably right,” he said in good-natured agreement. “Close acquaintance is akin to intimacy, is it not? And in matters of intimacy, one must let nature take its course.”
    His understanding words were rewarded by a quick glance of approval from her dream-drenched eyes. “Yes,” she said softly, “just so.”
    He gave her a rueful smile. “Though I can’t help wishing I could push matters just a bit. At least enough to ...” Here he had to pause to steady his horse, who was not accustomed to standing about. “... to permit you to use my given name.”
    “Your mount is growing impatient with our chatter,” Julie said, thankful to have