Page 25 of Courting Claudia
“I never said we were riding in the park.”
“Where are we going?” She turned so quickly, she nearly whacked his face with the bill of her bonnet.
“That is a…lovely bonnet, Miss Prattley. If memory serves me correctly, it is the exact shade of your eyes. I must use my memory, however, as I cannot see any part of your face but your nose and mouth.” He leaned down to peek at her. “Won’t you come out?”
He was an irritating man. But blast it, he was as charming as he was handsome.
“You’re missing all the lovely scenery.”
“I shall consider removing my bonnet once you tell me where you’re taking me. This could be considered kidnapping, you know.”
“Kidnapping?” His left eyebrow cocked. “Indeed? Perhaps I shall ravish you.”
She pulled her mantle tighter around her.
His laugh filled the carriage. “I’m only teasing you. I wouldn’t ravish you. Unless, of course, you asked me to,” he added in a low voice.
She sucked in her breath, not from horror as a proper lady should, but rather from sheer excitement. He would ravish her if she asked him to? Tingles scattered through her veins like fireflies, the feelings pooled somewhere between her thighs. She shifted in her seat.
“We are going to my home. It’s only a short distance from London. I have a large stable and nice land on which to ride. I thought it would be more freeing for both of us. Especially since you don’t seem too keen on being seen with me in public.”
His words stung. It was the truth, but it was such an ugly truth. It wasn’t him—there was nothing wrong with him, but it would only tarnish her father and Richard to explain their feelings about him. And she owed her loyalty to them. They loved her. Mr. Middleton only…only what? She wasn’t certain what he wanted from her. So rather than make silly excuses, she said nothing.
She untied the ribbon beneath her chin and pulled off the bonnet. She reached to pat her hair, but he stopped her, holding her wrist with his hand. Her pulse leaped beneath his touch.
“Your hair looks fine.”
She smiled. “Thank you.” While nothing he’d said so far had appeared dishonest, she knew in her heart he wasn’t being truthful, yet his words sounded completely sincere.
He released her wrist.
“How long of a drive is it to your estate?”
“Not more than half an hour.” He turned slightly so he could face her more. “I think your last drawings were among your best. Whom do you plan to cover next?”
“The Paddington sisters. I’ve been watching them all Season. They have a unique flair when it comes to their fashions. They’re bold.”
“And yourself?”
“What about myself?”
“Are you bold?”
“I should say not. My tastes run more with the subdued—I like to blend, Mr. Middleton. It is never my intention to stand out in a crowd.”
“Oh, but you do.”
Well, that was nasty. She knew she had a rounder, plumper figure than most girls, but there was no reason for him to point that out. She looked out the window.
“Some things cannot be helped, sir, and I think it quite rude of you to mention them.”
“I simply meant that you have a different way about you. Your very presence makes you stand out among women who look and act as if they were cut from a pattern.”
She knew her mouth hung open, but she’d never before been around someone who seemed to surprise her at every turn. She found herself speechless with him, which was quite rare. Ordinarily she knew precisely what to say. Or rather she had a tendency to say whatever popped into her mind, whether it was appropriate or not. But with Derrick, she found he filled her mind, yet stole her words.
“Thank you, I suppose,” she said.
The rest of the ride was spent in silence. Shortly thereafter, they arrived at his estate. The large stone manor house sat upon an open green expanse. Ash, oak, and birch trees completed the picture. It was simple, yet utterly beautiful.