Page 24 of If the Slipper Fits
“I can. However, in the event a heavy branch shakes loose, you should probably stay close.” He tucked her gloved hand snuggly into the crook of his arm.
Even through his clothing and her glove she felt his well-muscled arm flex beneath her fingers. Warmth radiated off of him, warding off the damp chill of the morning and making her want to purr like a kitten. She hadn’t noticed the cold seeping into her bones until his body heat dispelled it.
The wind shifted, and a lovely hint of his spiced cologne teased her nostrils. Lady Wentworth’s words from last night came to her, and, for the briefest moment, she had the indecent urge to curl into him.
A singularly bad idea. Still, she did not retract her hand.
“Where were we? Oh, yes. Derby. Pity you haven’t experienced the splendor, especially during summer months."
He stretched his free hand out before them as if painting a scene. "Picture rolling hills, dense forests that turn the air almost green when you stand within their thickets mid-day, and a winding river running through all of it.”
“It sounds lovely.”
“I spent much of my youth there. It’s a wonderful place for rearing children. I came close to settling there on a more permanent basis myself, recently.”
To raise children? Fool that she was, she hadn’t considered he might have an intended. Her heart rose up to choke her.
“I see.”Don’t say it. Do not say it.“There’s to be a Mrs. Thurgood soon, I take it?”
“Thought I'd mentioned,” he replied, flippant as you please.
She glanced over her shoulder. She should have insisted they return to the manse when she had the chance.
“…about Zeke's recent marriage. He and the future Countess of Claybourne have taken up residence in Chissington Hall, the earl’s seat.
"As far as raising children, I referenced my own childhood, but, I will say, based upon their"—He scratched the side of his nose—"That is, I suspect there’ll be a little Ezekiel or Christine before long. As for me, I am blissfully unattached. In case that was what you wanted to know."
"Oh, I didn't…I wasn't asking if…"
"Of course not. Silly me." His smug grin belied his words.
She couldn't seem to work up any annoyance. He wasn’t on the verge of marrying. She could breath again.
“I am confused about one thing, Mr. Thurgood. It sounds as if you prefer Derbyshire. But you reside in London?”
He shrugged. “London's not precisely home. I do let an apartment there, but it doesn't get much use after the Season. In fact," he paused, his expression turning resigned as if admitting to something he’d rather not, which made no sense to her whatsoever. "Let's just say for the last several years I’ve traveled extensively.”
“Oh? On business?”
“Business? No.”
She waited expectantly. When he didn't elaborate, she pressed. “Any reason in particular?”
“So many parties, so little time,” he said breezily. But his eyes didn’t reflect the devil-may-care attitude his words portrayed.
“I see. How very…” she broke off, not certain how to finish her sentence. She didn’t know how she felt about Caden wandering the countryside, aimless, going from one party to the next. “Entertaining.”
Something like anger flashed in his eyes, then vanished as swiftly as it had come. “Are you sure you never met my brother? You sound exactly like him,” he muttered. “At any rate, I’d given some thought to settling in Derby recently and have since changed my mind, and that’s that.”
There was something here. Something eating at him which he clearly didn’t wish to discuss. She ought to let the matter drop. “May I ask why you opted against doing so?”
“Aren’t you the inquisitive one?”
“I hate to call you the pot…” She let her words dwindle, hoping he’d take the bait.
He huffed out a laugh. “Fair enough, Jones.”
His expression turned considering. “How to make a long, boring story succinct? There’s a limestone quarry on the estate, the uses of which I looked into during Zeke and Kitty's absence. I had a notion to head up some projects involving utilizing limestone to benefit the earl’s tenants and local villages, beyond buildings and roads. Circumstances caused me to change my mind. Suffice it to say, after this party, I’m considering an extended holiday abroad. Mayhap I’ll simply ride the Summer partycircuit. Who knows?”
