Page 11 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
Hastily, she brushed it away. She had to concentrate on getting home, before anyone knew she was missing. A sinking feeling was beginning in the pit of her stomach now. She had become distracted, as she always did, losing track of time. She hadn’t even meant to end up at the horse auction. And now she felt slightly ridiculous that she had stumbled into what was clearly a male only affair.
I always do this,she thought dismally.I have promised Papa faithfully to be mindful, and not disappear, but I have gone and done it again. My habit of acting before thinking is always getting me into trouble.
“I just love horses,” she blurted suddenly, feeling a blush creep up over her face. “That was why I was at the auction.”
The man grinned slightly. “So you have said, Miss Nott. You obviously love them quite a lot.”
Ara bit her lip. “I was foolish, wasn’t I? I see now that I was.” She paused. “But I still think those gentlemen were unbearably rude.”
He nodded, still smiling. “You were alittlefoolish. But it seems that I cannot judge you for it.” He hesitated. “In fact, I admire you for it. And yes, those gentlemen were rude. They should not have treated you in that manner.”
They stopped walking, gazing at each other. Ara felt another jolt of sensation as their eyes met. It really was the strangest thing. It was as if his eyes were holding her, pinning her to the spot, in some bizarre way that she simply could not fathom.
“You are fond of horses, as well?” she said suddenly, trying desperately to break the strange spell.
He kept staring at her in that intense manner, but nodded.
“On my parents estate, I am always with the horses,” he said simply. “If the weather is good, you will never find me indoors. The riding around our house in Kent is spectacular.” He paused. “I recently purchased an Arabian stallion. He is a beauty…”
“An Arabian?” she breathed, her eyes wide. “You are indeed lucky! Is he your favourite horse?”
He laughed. “He is indeed! Whenever I can, I take him out, to stretch his legs.” His eyes gleamed with excitement. “Riding him is a dream. I simply cannot describe it accurately. I simply do not have the words…”
“I could only imagine,” she said, smiling. “But my horse Pem is quick and a good ride, too.” She hesitated, blinking back sudden tears. “I miss him. I miss him so much.”
The stranger glanced down at her, smiling gently. “I am sure you will be reunited with him soon, Miss Nott. The season does not last forever, after all.”
She bit her lip. She felt suddenly exposed, as if she had revealed too much. Why was she talking to this stranger as if she knew him? As if he understood how she felt, and might even sympathise with her?
She frowned. She was being fanciful. She was wasting time, as well. She needed to get home.
“Anyway,” she said, smiling brilliantly. “We should hurry, I fear…?”
He looked a little embarrassed. “Of course. Follow me, Miss Nott. I know a short cut, which should get you home before you know it.”
***
Ara could see the house in the distance. Despite her pleas that they must hurry, now that she was almost there her feet started to drag just a little.
The familiar reluctance to be indoors invaded her. She glanced at the gentleman walking along beside her. It wasn’t just that, if she was being honest with herself. It had been strangely enjoyable walking with him, talking about horses.
She suddenly didn’t want the walk to stop. Could they simply keep going, forever, winding through the city streets, until they couldn’t go anymore?
But eventually, they reached the house. He slowed down, glancing at the numbers.
“This seems to be your abode,” he said slowly, gazing down at her. “You have made it, safe and sound.”
“So I have,” she said, gazing at the door. That sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach intensified. What was going to happen to her when she went in?
She knew that Mama would be awake from her nap by now. Ruth would have finished her piano practise and might have already sought her out. And Papa was due home at any moment.
She cast her eyes anxiously down the street, searching for the carriage so avidly that she didn’t realise that the stranger was addressing her again, for a moment.
“Pardon?” she said, whipping her head around to face him. “I am sorry, I was distracted…”
He cleared his throat, looking a little embarrassed again. “I was just asking, Miss Nott, if there was any possibility that I might call upon you again.”
She gazed at him, so stunned that for a moment she simply couldn’t speak. Had he just asked if he might call on her?
