Angel in Scarlet (Bound and Determined #4)(14)

She glanced back at her maid, who sat on a bench a good two hundred feet away. Maggie had not been at all pleased that they were heading out so early. If Angela listened carefully, she’d probably be able to hear the girl still grumbling that she’d thought they were done with this foolishness months ago.

If possible she would have come alone, but Ruby had made it clear that propriety must be observed on the surface. Ruining herself would not accomplish anything, and it was most doubtful that Colton would come to her rescue if anything did go wrong.

How could he be so different than she had once believed?

She turned her head back to the water, staring out over the light mist that clung just above the shimmering waves, fighting the memories of other mornings that she’d waited for him. Still, even if Colton didn’t appear, it was not bad to have the quiet and the peace. Perhaps she should make an early-morning walk a habit. She’d never been one to sleep in, but she’d always been much more likely to curl in bed with a book than to brave a cool morning without a reason. Perhaps she had been foolish.

The sound of hooves behind her.

It could be anyone.

She fought the urge to turn and look. Ruby had said it was most important that she keep up the pretense of not being here looking for him. The water shimmered orange as the sun began to rise higher in the sky.

The sound passed.

Had it been him? She risked a look to the side, only to see a dark shape and the sway of a long tail. No way to know.

Another rider approached.

And then another.

Even if he did pass by, would he notice her? Perhaps she should stand?

And even if he did see her, would he recognize her? Didn’t most girls look the same from behind? Her hair could sometimes be noticeable, but in the early light it might look more russet than blond. But, then, this was the exact spot where they had met so often in the past.

He would know it was she. But would he stop?

Why had Ruby not addressed these issues? Ruby had seemed confident that if Colton did see her, he would know her and stop.

Several riders together. The pound on the path loud and unmistakable.

Even if he were there, he would not stop. He’d never want to be caught paying attention to her again. He probably thought that if he glanced at her she’d try to insist they marry.

No, that wasn’t fair to him, but it was how he made her feel.

She’d never given him any reason to think she’d try to push him to matrimony. Yes, she had believed, perhaps quite na?vely, they were heading toward marriage, but she would never have acted if she thought he was unwilling.

Although wasn’t that exactly what she was doing now?

But this was different. He deserved it after the way he’d acted—and she wasn’t trying to actually force him into marriage; she was trying to make it so he desperately wanted to marry her, wanted her. She only wanted justice.

If only she truly believed that was possible.

She reflected on Ruby’s words. Well, if she didn’t believe, she would just have to imagine it.

And then she heard hooves slowing and becoming silent, as the next rider pulled to a stop.

Do not turn. Do not turn. Stare at the water.

Pretend you don’t know it’s him.

But she did know. She might not be able to see him, but there was no mistaking the prickle on her neck or the sudden breathlessness that took her. It pulled her back in time even as she fought it, made her want to turn and rush to him, a happy smile upon her lips.

—

Colton drew on the reins; for the barest of moments his heart felt light. She was back. He stared at the blond hair lit by the early-morning sun and remembered the mornings when he could not hurry here fast enough, when he dreamed of nothing but her welcoming smile, when he wondered what foolish adventure she’d partaken in, when…

And then reality returned.

What on earth was she doing here? Was Angela stalking him? Did she somehow imagine that she could lure him back to their past relationship?

No, that was preposterous. She had brought her maid. Maggie, looking as uncomfortable as ever, sat on a bench and glared at him, clearly wishing him to hell.

And why did he care?

He should just ride on.

Only he wasn’t going to. He knew himself well enough to be honest about that. He swung a leg over the stallion and slid to the ground, keeping the reins in hand.

He walked over and stood behind Angela, allowing Goliath enough lead to munch at the low grass.

Angela continued to look out at the water.

Why didn’t she turn to him as she used to, her face aglow with morning light? She knew he was here. He’d seen her shoulders tense as he approached, and she would have had to be deaf not to hear him draw near.

He stood quiet.

She did not speak.

A duck suddenly took off and Goliath started. He held firm on the reins, and the massive horse settled again.

“Are you truly going to pretend I am not here?” he asked.

“I should say that I was enrapt by the view, but in truth I simply do not know what to say.” She turned and glanced up at him, her skin pale and her blue eyes shining mysterious and dark.

“Did you come here looking for me?”

She bit down on her lower lip, quite hard judging by the indent. “I should say that I often come to look at the quiet waters in the morning mist, but you probably know I have not been here since last we met. So, yes, I came looking for you….”