Angel in Scarlet (Bound and Determined #4)(39)

She supposed a bird would not be bad. She rather enjoyed their gentle chatter.

“Would you like to change and give her a ride about the yard? I understand she’s here for a few days.”

“No, I’ll wait until morning to ride. And I would think she’ll be here until Mother and I leave on Saturday. I am sure she’ll be picked up again after that.” She would have to talk to Colton and make sure that he understood the mare could only be a brief loan. Anything longer would arouse question. Even the few days might bring her father knocking on her bedroom door, wanting to know why she needed a mare. But as he’d always tried to encourage her to ride more, maybe she would be lucky and he would think that she was considering bringing one of their horses up from the country.

And it wasn’t as if Colton would possibly consider giving her the horse as a gift. He certainly understood, as well as she, that letting her borrow the sweet creature for a few days was one thing; giving her to her for more would…She snorted at the thought, and the horse snorted in return.

“Does she have a name?” she asked.

“LadyBelle, I am told. And she surely is a lady. A better-behaved little mare I’ve never seen.”

“You sound almost as if you’re trying to sell her to me.”

“Sorry, my lady. I just like seeing you show an interest in the horses.”

She supposed that made sense. “Well, I’ll be taking her out in the morning. I understand an escort should arrive early. If I am not out already, have me sent for.” The directions seemed unnecessary—what else would the groom do?—but it was better to be safe than sorry. The last thing she needed was for her father to be awakened early.

She rubbed the mare’s nose one last time and turned to head back into the house. Hopefully her mother would be done with the packing and would not have too many more questions for her.

—

Was she coming, Colton wondered? He should have headed over with Miss Pratcher. He smiled to himself at finding such a perfect escort. Miss Pratcher was Lady Perse’s companion and a stickler for observing propriety. She was, however, also an avid horsewoman and would be more than happy to ride ahead—although not so far ahead that she couldn’t keep an eye on them. But, then, an eye he didn’t mind. The ears were the problem. He certainly didn’t intend to partake in any illicit activity in the park during daylight. He only wanted a chance to talk with Angela and figure out what the next step for them was, assuming there was one. He’d heard about Angela’s encounter with Swanston from Simms and had to be sure that Angela had not been scared off. He smiled to himself at the thought. How had he gone from trying to frighten her off to being concerned that she would not wish to continue? At least Swanston would not talk. The man was more close-lipped about Madame Rouge’s than anyone.

And with Miss Pratcher here, no one could find anything to gossip about in this morning’s ride. Miss Pratcher would report all that she saw to Lady Perse, but Lady Perse would hear anyway. He’d never been quite sure how she did it, but the lady had better intelligence than an army general.

And if she knew nothing torrid had happened, then so would the world.

There was, of course, the risk that their morning ride would be seen as the renewal of his courtship. It would be a slender path to walk, but he’d been practicing for years. A ride in the park would indicate interest but no more, and with Miss Pratcher watching he could be sure that nothing but the truth would be reported. And he’d make very sure the truth gave no indication of romance.

The light clatter of hooves echoed on the path behind him, and he turned to see the two ladies trotting up—Miss Pratcher looking resigned to the slow pace, and Angela appearing to think they were traveling at about twice the necessary speed. She had been quite honest when she said she was not a brilliant horsewoman. He was glad he had trusted her word and sent such a gentle ride.

“Good morning,” he said, tipping his hat. “We do have a most beautiful day.”

“It’s always a good day when one has a fine ride between one’s legs,” Miss Pratcher spoke up.

He stared at her briefly. She could not have meant what it sounded like. Women such as Miss Pratcher did not engage in double entendre. “A gallop about the park is always a lovely way to start the day,” he replied, thinking nothing could be read into that.

“I doubt I’ll get much of a gallop,” Miss Pratcher answered, glancing back at Angela.

“I am sorry,” Angela said, not missing the glance. “I do wish I could oblige you, but you’re likely to spend your time picking me up off the ground if I go faster than this.” She patted LadyBelle’s neck. “And I am not sure that LadyBelle goes faster. She seems to move at slow and slower.”

“And you are not a bit sorry,” Colton added, hoping that Angela took the comment in the genial manner it was intended.

“No, I am not, but as Miss Pratcher has indicated, she would prefer a faster pace. I am quite content for the two of you to go ahead if you wish,” Angela said. “I am sure that even with my warnings you thought you’d move faster than this.”

Why was she saying such a thing? The whole purpose of this meeting was to allow them to make arrangements. Or was she trying to give him a chance to…“I am quite happy to keep you company, but you are correct, we should not hold Miss Pratcher back.” He turned and met Miss Pratcher’s calculated gaze. “If we promise to stay on the straight path and not turn in to the trees, you should be able to see us from just about anywhere—and see the regular distance between our steeds. I would think that should satisfy any questions.”