Page 43 of Wild Lily
“Does that mean you don’t believe in hasty passions?”
“I’ve never experienced one, so I have no way to judge if I believe or not.” She pushed aside a branch. “One thing I do know is that I will not stay in England solely to please my father.”
“Good for you.”
“I will remain only as long as…”
He didn’t like the way she’d paused. “As long as what?”
“I’m amused or intrigued or…or I begin to believe in hasty passion.”
He sent her a smile. “Smart. Is your father the kind of man who will allow his daughter to choose her own path?”
“Given good argument, yes.”
He looked askance. “That sounds ominous.”
“Not really. He promises not to force me to wed any one.”
Good to know.“An interesting man.”
“Thoroughly American,” she said.
“So then you’re here to enjoy yourself. The house parties? The rounds of calls? The balls?”
“All of it.” She indicated the scenery as she patted the neck of her mount. “But, actually, that’s a lie.”
“Why?”
“I don’t enjoy it all.”
“No?”
“I hate riding side-saddle.”
He gave her a rueful grin. A memory of the London cartoon of her on horseback flashed through his mind. “You don’t look uncomfortable.”You look delicious in that midnight-blue riding coat and white stock.
“I prefer my western saddle. How does a woman ever ride to hounds like this? She’d be hanging over the side like a ham in a smokehouse.”
“I cannot tell you,” he said, her humor tickling him. “I’ve never done it.”
“Men should. They’d have more compassion for the weaker sex.”
“You’re not weak,” he said with conviction.
She eyed him for a long moment then faced forward. “I’m getting stronger every day.”
“Bravo. I think you should ride as you wish.”
That brought her around to him, surprise and delight curving her lovely lips. “Here?”
“Why not?”
She snorted. “I’d be a scandal.”
“You’d be a woman to reckon with.”
“One to avoid.”
