“You,” she replied.
“Me?”
She shifted her gaze away from his. “I didn’t dare disappoint you and not join you on a ride through Hyde Park.”
Lord Charles stared at her in amazement. “You started riding your horse again for me?” he asked.
“It started that way, but I soon realized that I was doing it for myself,” she admitted. “It brought back such a pleasant flood of memories that I was immensely grateful I had the strength to do so.”
“You are an impressive young woman,” Lord Charles said. “I do wish you had told me the truth, though.”
“I am truly sorry.”
“There is nothing to be sorry about,” Lord Charles assured her. “I don’t care if we go riding in a carriage or on a horse. I just wanted the opportunity to spend some time with you.”
“I feel the same way.”
A broad smile came to Lord Charles’s face. “I am glad to hear that, Miss Blackmore,” he said.
12
Martin watched as Hannah’s face lit up in response to something Lord Charles said, and he felt his hands tighten around the reins. He had a sudden urge to race forward and demand to know what they were speaking of, which he realized was utterly ridiculous. He couldn’t very well intrude on their private conversation for no apparent reason.
Lady Emma’s voice broke through his musings. “Are you all right, my lord?”
“I am.” His tone was unintentionally curt.
“You just seem rather preoccupied today,” she commented.
Martin cast a glance at her. “I do apologize.” He admired her grey gelding for a moment. “You have a beautiful horse.”
“Thank you,” she replied. “My father purchased him for me when I debuted for the Season, and I must admit he is anxious to stretch his legs.”
Martin turned his attention back towards Hannah. “I assured Lord Berkshire that I would see to Miss Blackmore being properly chaperoned at all times.”
Lady Emma followed his gaze. “You seem rather close to Miss Blackmore.”
“I am,” he replied. “Our fathers were friends, and we spent most of the hunting months in our youth together.”
“That must have been nice.”
Martin chuckled. “At the time I thought it was miserable, because I was surrounded by five girls, two of whom were my sisters. However, the Blackmore sisters slowly won me over because they never once asked me to play dolls with them.”
“Is that so?”
“They were the type of girls who would much rather be outside than in the nursery,” he explained. “In fact, whenever we were at the Blackmores’ country estate, we were forbidden to play at the ruins located on their property.”
“Forbidden?” Lady Emma repeated.
“Yes, so naturally we had to go play at the various sites.”
Lady Emma laughed. “That seems logical.”
“One particular morning, we tried to leave Miss Blackmore behind, but she was adamant about joining us on our excursion.”
“Why did you try to leave her behind?”
“Because she was only seven at the time, and we didn’t want her to tattle that we went to this particular set of ruins,” he explained.
“I see.”
“Finally, we relented and allowed her to join us. We spent hours touring the ruins, but as we were coming down the stairs, Miss Blackmore slipped and hurt her arm.”
“That is terrible.”
“I scooped her up in my arms and took her home,” he said. “Miss Blackmore refused to let me leave her side until the doctor arrived and her mother shooed us out of the room.”
Lady Emma’s eyes held approval in them. “You were a good friend to her.”
“I suppose, ever since then, I have felt more like a protector to her.”
“That is admirable.”
“Miss Blackmore doesn’t think so,” he remarked. “She is rather insistent that she doesn’t need my protection, at least not anymore.”
“Why do you suppose that is?”
“I’m afraid I can be rather disagreeable at times, and Miss Blackmore can be just as stubborn.”
Lady Emma had a curious look, as if she were trying to sort out a puzzle. “Did you and Miss Blackmore ever have an understanding between you two?”
He blinked at the absurdity of that question. “Heavens, no,” he replied. “Why would you assume such a thing?”
“Because you speak so fondly of her.”
“I do,” he said, “but that is only because we are dear friends.”
“Is that all?” she pressed.
“Yes,” he asserted with a nod. “I have no designs on Miss Blackmore, I can assure you of that.”
Lady Emma let out a relieved sigh. “I must admit that I am pleased to hear you say that,” she said. “It has been weighing heavily on my mind since I first saw you two together.”
“I’m glad that I have eased your concerns.”
“You have, and I do apologize for even bringing it up,” she remarked, lowering her gaze. “I feel foolish now.”
“Nonsense. I’m glad we have honesty between us.”
“I’m afraid I tend to overthink things,” she shared. “It has been this way since I was a little girl.”
“There is nothing wrong with that.”
She let out a puff of air. “My mother would disagree with you, sir.”
Martin shifted in his saddle. “Why don’t you tell me one thing about yourself that would surprise me?”
“Just one thing?” she repeated with a playful smile on her lips.
“Yes, unless you would like to share more.”
Lady Emma was quiet for a moment. “I am quite proficient at archery.”
“That is not an unusual pastime for a young woman to have.”
A smirk came to her lips. “That may be true, but I am a member of the Royal British Bowmen archery society.”
“That is an impressive accomplishment for a woman,” he acknowledged.
“My father was a member of the society before he died, and he convinced the other members to let me join.”
He gave her a curious look. “Does your mother approve?”
“She doesn’t exactly disapprove,” she said slowly, “but she would rather have me practicing the pianoforte or embroidering.”
“I don’t fault her for that.”
Lady Emma shot him a baffled look. “You don’t?”
“Once you’ve discovered women can be better archers than men, what is next?” he asked with a solemn expression. “Will you start having duels to defend your honor?” He smiled to let her know he
