“You must truly love to skate, Miss Gray.” He bent to assist Emma to strap on her skates, much to her cousin’s delight. “That is a bright smile for so early on a cold morning.”
“Yes, I do,” Lucy said. “There’s nothing like the feeling of freedom it brings.”
Hugh paused to study her, making her feel as if she’d shared a secret she hadn’t realized she’d been keeping. She supposed that was one way of coming to know each other, exchanging preferences and dislikes. Would she have the chance to do the same of him?
“As do I,” Emma added as if not to be left out. “Isn’t it grand? Even at this ungodly hour.”
“We won’t have any sun today it seems.” Hugh finished assisting Emma and turned his attention to Lucy, but she’d already buckled on her skates.
The idea of him holding her foot, even with her boot on, rattled her thoroughly. He offered his hand to help her stand and guided her onto the ice then repeated the gesture for Emma.
Lucy was pleased Emma seemed to be in good spirits as she knew her cousin didn’t care for early mornings. They skated together, going around the pond while Hugh put on his skates.
He quickly joined them, proving to be a natural on the ice, even managing to skate backward in front of them, claiming he wished to see their beauty as he skated.
His outrageous flirting soon had both Emma and her laughing so hard they had to slow their pace.
“Mr. Raybourne, please,” Lucy begged as she pressed her muff against her middle. “My stomach hurts from laughing.”
He feigned a hurt expression. “Why you find my compliments amusing is beyond me. I meant them all.”
“Even the one about the moon rising with each breath we take?” Emma shared a look with Lucy, and they both were in stitches once again.
Hugh heaved a beleaguered sigh then skated between them, offering his elbow to each. “My skills at charming beautiful ladies have obviously grown rusty with disuse.”
A glow of happiness settled around Lucy as they continued circling the pond in companionable silence. The touch of his arm wrapped with hers made her feel like champagne with tiny bubbles of joy rising to the surface. She caught the faint scent of musk and forest, a very manly smell, so different from the lily scent Aunt Edith wore. The only sound breaking the quiet was the swish of their skates as they glided in unison.
The moment was perfect, and she closed her eyes briefly to hold it tight, imprinting it to her memory with all her senses.
“You are lucky to have such a wonderful place away from London,” Hugh said, his gaze sweeping over the rolling hills. He looked content as he admired the view.
Lucy was again surprised a gentleman like him would find pleasure so far away from the frantic pace of the city.
As if sensing her perusal, he looked at her, a gentle smile in his eyes. She returned it, realizing she now held one of his secrets—a fondness of the countryside. The warmth of that knowledge filled her. Perhaps they had more in common than she realized.
“Shall we race?” Emma asked, breaking the fragile moment.
Lucy blinked to clear her thoughts, reminding herself that she was only supposed to become acquainted with him because Emma had asked her to, not for her own pleasure.
“Of course,” he agreed then raised a brow at Lucy. “Shall we?”
“Absolutely.” What could she do but agree?
“Go!” Emma rushed forward, but Lucy and Hugh soon caught up with her.
The three shouted encouragement to each other as they raced to the opposite end.
Lucy had no doubt Hugh allowed Emma to beat him, and she followed suit, holding back to allow the two the victory.
Emma pretended to suddenly lose her balance, and Hugh caught her in his arms. Lucy forced a smile as they laughed, still holding each other. They made a beautiful couple.
Mr. Raybourne was the best of the suitors her cousin had, though Lucy had yet to spend much time with the others. But the thought of sharing her opinion with Emma had Lucy turning away.
After dinner the following evening, once the gentlemen had rejoined the ladies in the drawing room, Hugh watched from across the room as Emma gave Lucy a pointed look. With a reluctant nod, Lucy approached Miss Barnes who stood next to her brother, as always. The woman rarely left his side and acted quite uncomfortable when she did.
He couldn’t hear the conversation, but he had a guess as to what was being said. It proved correct as Miss Barnes followed Lucy a short distance away to join Mrs. Waverly, leaving Emma to speak alone with Mr. Barnes.
Hugh scowled at Emma’s behavior. The more he came to know her, the more he realized she was used to getting her own way with everyone, including Lucy. Emma used her cousin for whatever purpose she needed. That annoyed Hugh in no small measure. Lucy was too nice to her. From what he could tell, Emma never returned the favor, though he supposed he shouldn’t be so quick to judge on such short acquaintance.
Before he realized what he was doing, he walked across the room to join Lucy, Mrs. Waverly, and Miss Barnes.
“Mr. Raybourne, we were just sharing how pleased we are that it’s snowing,” Lucy said as her aunt excused herself and stepped away.
“I confess I’m pleased as well,” he offered. “Quite festive, don’t you think, Miss Barnes?”
“Quite.” The lady blinked several times as a ruddy blush filled her cheeks. She seemed to have a difficult time finding the courage to meet his gaze. The guarded way she acted suggested she feared he’d ravish her while everyone watched.
Her behavior annoyed him, though he couldn’t say why. He supposed he preferred the way Lucy treated him as if she enjoyed their conversations.
“The snow might make our attempt to gather greenery on the morrow more difficult.” He glanced at Lucy, wondering if she’d be able to join in the fun.
“I wonder how much we’ll get,” she said, her brown eyes gleaming with delight.
“Greenery or snow?” he asked, hoping her excitement meant she would indeed be accompanying them.
“Both.” She smiled as she met his gaze and a warm sensation filled him. Did she realize what a gift her smile was?
He chuckled. “I assume you’re hoping for a significant amount.”
“I am.” Her quick admission amused him. “It would be lovely if it snowed several inches. Then we could take the sleighs to the woods. What of you, Miss Barnes? Do you wish it to snow?”
“It would make a special Christmas,” the lady said even as her brow wrinkled. “Though I worry it would make travelling home difficult.”
“We might all be snowed in together until the weather clears.” He said the words jokingly, but the expression of alarm on Miss Barnes’ face suggested she truly feared that might come to pass.
Lucy patted the woman’s arm. “Have no worries. We rarely receive that much snow here, especially this early in the year.”
The lady’s look of relief was comical. As if concerned they’d take offense, she added, “It’s lovely here, of course.”
“You prefer your home though.” Lucy nodded. “That’s a benefit to travelling. It makes one appreciate home all the more, don’t you think?”
“True,” Miss Barnes answered, though her response lacked conviction.