“Just the one, along with a property in the Lake District. My grandparents used to take us there when my siblings and I were little.”
“You have two younger brothers and a sister, correct?”
“That’s right. Rose, Ben, and Lucas are all happily married with nurseries of their own. Which has made Father more determined than ever to see me wed. I have a duty toward the continuation of the title, yet here I am, shirking it, as he would say.”
“On the contrary, it looks like you’re making an effort to find a wife.”
“Hmm...” He glanced at her and instantly grinned on account of the mischievous sparkle in her blue eyes. “Perhaps you’re right. Do you ride well, Miss Hollyoak?”
“Well enough for a race, if that’s what you have in mind.”
“You’re certain?”
Her smile became a challenging smirk. “I bet you can’t catch me.”
Before he had a chance to contradict her preposterous wager, she’d spurred her horse into a furious gallop. Good lord. He sat for a second, utterly stunned by her proficiency and the elegance with which she sat in the saddle, before he thought to follow.
“Yah!” George dug his heels into his horse’s flanks and leaned forward to meet the air like a spear. Nothing invigorated him more than a hard ride, the beat of the hooves vibrating through him until he felt at one with the beast.
Racing faster, he grinned with wild abandon as he came up alongside Miss Hollyoak. She turned her gaze toward him and laughed. The hat she’d been wearing when they’d set out must have fallen off at some point, and stray locks of hair dislodged from their pins streamed out behind her. The gleam in her eyes went straight to his heart, filling it with an incredibly strong sense of unity. He felt a natural connection with her - a chance for understanding and like-mindedness he’d never before experienced with anyone else.
Perhaps because they’d quarreled?
Instead of pretending an interest in marrying him, she’d told him outright that she had none. More than that, she’d told him why. And later, when she’d thought she’d found evidence in support of her reasoning, she’d confronted him. What followed had made him feel closer to her, as if somehow by arguing, they’d broken down the barriers between them. Of course, he still had to tell her the truth, but he was confident that once he did, it would only strengthen the bond they were already forming.
“I won,” Miss Hollyoak said with a gasp of breath when she drew her mount to a halt moments later.
George sent her a teasing smile. “You’re welcome to be as delusional as you like.”
She gaped at him. “Delusional? I got here first.”
“Of course you did,” he said, applying his most serious tone.
“I did!”
“I know. I will not argue.”
Setting her mouth in a firm line, she shook her head in what looked like extreme exasperation, but there was humor to be found in her eyes. “You are insufferable.”
“I’m glad you think so since it can only mean you’re not immune to my charms.” When he waggled his eyebrows, her effort to look stern and chastising failed and laughter burst from between her lips. “Hold on. I’ll come and help you dismount.”
George slid off his own horse, tied the reins to a nearby tree, and went to assist his delightful companion. The ride had not only undone her perfect coiffure, it had also pinkened her cheeks, which only made her disheveled appearance all the more lovely. George’s chest tightened slightly in response, more so when he reached her and she rewarded him with the most dazzling smile he’d ever received.
He reached up and set his hands on her waist. Without hesitation she leaned down and placed her hands on his shoulders for support, as if they’d done this a thousand times before. The air around them stilled, sharpening his senses as she slid into his arms. He became aware of the way she smelled, like lavender oil mixed with sage and eucalyptus. It was sweet, refreshing, and earthy all at once, instilling in him a desire to hold onto her forever.
“Mr. Townsbridge?”
He breathed her in one last time before stepping back. “Forgive me. I fear I forgot myself for a moment.”
“I do tend to have that effect on men,” she said, her rosy cheeks darkening as her blush deepened.
She was charming - utterly charming - and he had never been more smitten. “You’re a dangerous creature, Miss Hollyoak. I’m beginning to think the army could use you to distract the enemy.”
“Oh, I’m sure. Just last month I received a request from the king. He asked if I could please lead the cavalry into the next battle. I believe his intention is to baffle the French into submission if they ever choose to cause trouble again.”
George grinned. “The lady who stopped a war before it began by confusing the enemy. I rather like that idea, though I do think you ought to turn down the request.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I have no intention of letting my wife put herself in danger.”
He’d meant the comment as a light jest of sorts, but rather than laugh and offer a sly retort, Miss Hollyoak frowned. “I’m not sure which I ought to protest first, your assumption we’ll marry or your belief that if we do you’ll get to decide what I can or cannot do.”
“It will be my responsibility to keep you safe.”
“Which is all well and good as long as you don’t take me for a fool.”
He tilted his head in thought. “I would never do that.”
“You just said you wouldn’t let me put myself in danger. If I were your wife, that was. Which would imply there’s a chance I might choose to risk my life on my own accord with nary a thought to the consequences. If you will forgive me, I would appreciate a little more faith in my judgment skills.”
His lips twitched. “Of course. My apologies.” Clasping his hands behind his back, he strolled toward a nearby brook where he paused to watch the water tumble over rocks as it flowed toward the larger river to the west. “Last night, you asked me to give you another chance, and I’d like to do so.”
“Thank you, Mr. Townsbridge.”
He studied her for a moment, then added, “I also promised you an explanation regarding Miss Granger. Perhaps it is time I gave it.”
She joined him and, to his surprise, took a seat in the grass. “By all means.”
Lowering himself to a spot beside her, he picked a purple wildflower and twirled it between his fingers. “Miss Granger’s parents are tenants of ours. A couple of years ago, Mrs. Granger suffered a seizure and lost much movement in her right side. Life has been difficult for the Grangers since then. Mr. Granger turned to drink and gambling, which caused him to neglect his work on the farm. I paid the family countless visits and tried to advise Mr. Granger on how to improve upon his situation. He’d always nod and agree and make endless promises to do better, but nothing much ever came of it.
“Then about six months ago, I met with a friend of mine at one of the local taverns. We spoke of investment opportunities and I mentioned a factory that promised to revolutionize weaving by using a steam engine. I never realized Mr. Granger was there or that he overheard me, but he went and spent all his savings on purchasing shares in that company.”