He straightened, and like the conceited ass he was, he pronounced, “I always thought I was partial to blond women, but it appears I like redheads better.”
It was a ridiculous comment, and she laughed. “You are a menace, Captain. Haven’t you tormented me enough for one afternoon?”
“I suppose I have. Will you walk me out?”
“If you promise to behave. I can’t have you kissing me in my front yard.”
“Why not? It’s not as if there are any people around to see.”
“Clara is in the woods with Mutt. I wouldn’t want her to think we’re friendly.”
He raised a brow. “Are we friendly? Is that what’s happening?”
“There’s no other word to describe it, and I won’t try.”
“I have several more salacious terms I’d use, but probably none I could utter in your presence.”
“Thank you. I’m a very modest person, and I appreciate your reticence.”
They exited the cottage, and it was only a few short steps to the gate and the fence where his horse was tethered. She petted the horse and rested her cheek on his muzzle. Captain Ralston scrutinized her in that potent way he had, and when she pulled away, he was scowling ferociously.
“Were you talking to him?”
“Oh, yes,” she blithely lied.
His scowl grew even more fierce. “What did he say?”
“He said you are a great master, and he’s glad he belongs to you, but his true love is Sandy who takes such good care of him in the stables.”
His jaw dropped in astonishment. “He did not tell you all of that!”
She laughed even more lustily, being delighted to have flummoxed him. “Of course he didn’t. Despite what you imagine, I have no ability to speak to animals.”
His cheeks flushed. “If you had such a skill, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least. I find you to be odd and absurd and completely extraordinary.”
“There you go again with your compliments. If you keep it up, I won’t be able to get back inside. My head will swell, and it won’t fit through the door.”
“I am never a man to dispense flattery, so you must be working some strange magic on me.”
“It’s that Fate you mock. It seems there’s a destiny brewing between us.”
“Yes, it does.”
Their conversation lagged, and he stared down at her. The most precious sense of affection flared, and she let it flow over her like a gentle rain.
“When will you be at the manor again?” he asked, breaking the special moment into a thousand pieces.
“I’m not sure.”
“When you visit, you must have me apprised. Don’t you dare ever slip in and out without my being informed.”
She smiled, but with exasperation. “To what end, Captain? What possible reason could there be to inform you?”
“I told you, Miss James. I can’t deduce what’s driving me, but whatever it is, it’s very powerful. I doubt I can fight it and win.”
“You act as if we’re in some sort of war.”
“No, not a war precisely. We’re . . . we’re . . .” He cut off and scoffed. “Don’t listen to me. You have me totally befuddled. Have you cast a spell on me?”
“I wouldn’t have the faintest idea how to cast a spell.”
“I’m betting that’s the biggest lie you’ve spewed in my presence so far.”
He dipped down and stole another kiss. This one was more desperate, more urgent, and she jumped in and participated enthusiastically. How could she not? If it had been up to her, she’d have begged him to continue until dark.
“I’ll ride over tomorrow,” he said like a threat.
“I might actually be looking forward to it.”
He tried to grab her hand and squeeze it, but she wasn’t about to let him. Who could predict what she’d discover?
She eased back, giving him the space he needed to mount his horse. Then, from up above her, he asked, “What is your Christian name? Is it Joanna?”
“Yes.”
“I’m calling you Joanna from now on.”
“I guess it would be pointless to request that you not.”
“And you will call me Jacob.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He yanked on the reins and trotted off. She watched him depart, and her yearning was palpable, like a besotted girl mooning over her first beau. Once he vanished in the trees, she blew out a heavy breath and turned toward the cottage, wondering how their relationship would unfold, how it would conclude.
He would be at the estate for several months, so she’d have plenty of opportunity to get herself into all kinds of trouble. Plus, he was about to become engaged to his cousin, and he was hosting a huge betrothal party in September.
Since he was about to bind himself, he had no business flirting with her. It definitely had her worried over what type of man he was deep down. She’d assumed she knew, but she might have misjudged.
She missed him already, and she had to buck up and refuse to dally with him, but she likely wasn’t strong enough to order him away. What woman could?
As she reached the door, Clara and Mutt skipped around the side of the house.
“I was spying on you with Captain Ralston,” Clara said.
“I should probably scold you.”
“Are you in love? Will you marry him?”
“No and no.”
“But you were kissing!”
“That’s all it was. A kiss. Captain Ralston is very fond of me.”
“He certainly is!”
“Promise me you won’t tell anyone what you witnessed.” Clara didn’t reply, and Joanna said, “I’m serious, Clara. People at the manor wouldn’t like us to be so close. I’m too far beneath him, and they’d be angry.”
“Your lineage is more elevated than his,” Clara huffed.
Joanna chuckled. “We’ll keep that opinion to ourselves, and can we please drop the subject? He overwhelms me, and I hate that you saw me misbehaving.”
“I thought it was very romantic.”
“It was very romantic, wasn’t it? I have to agree.”
“Will he visit us again?”
“He claims he will.”
“I can’t wait. Can you? I like him very much.”
Joanna sighed. “Unfortunately, I like him too.”
“I’m glad he’s sweet on you.”
“He’s not sweet on me. He’s . . . he’s . . .”
Joanna couldn’t describe what he was.
