Page 48 of The Society Catch
‘I was going to go after breakfast. I only want to get a little fresh air and I wasn’t planning on going far. Unless you would like me to stay?’
‘No, you go out, the fresh air will do you good.’
That appeared to exhaust everyone’s capacity for conversation. Joanna glanced round the table and saw Giles was smiling at her. He raised one eyebrow and glanced sideways at Alex and Hebe with a rueful expression. She could not help smiling back, wondering if she dared give into temptation and ask if he would ride with her.
No, it was not safe. It was so wonderful to be alone with him, so painful when they parted or something reminded her that he could never be hers. And it was increasingly difficult to keep her feelings from showing. She kept catching herself looking at him, then did not know whether to look away rapidly which might look self-conscious, or risk being seen staring.
He was getting to know her too well, that was the trouble. It was the only explanation for the oddly tender look in his eyes sometimes and the almost possessive way he protected her. Giles was obviously a man who was fiercely protective of “his” people, whether they were his family, his men or, in her case, a stray young woman he had offered to help. It must be one of the characteristics which made him such a good officer. His men would sense his concern and interest, even if he never allowed it to show in the way he did with Hebe, or his father, or herself. How was she going to cope with this ache inside once he was nolonger with her?
‘A penny for your thoughts,’ he said suddenly, startling her into unwary speech.
‘I was just wondering how on earth you are going to fill your time now you can stop rescuing me.’
Giles grinned. ‘I do not anticipate being bored. Quite the contrary. I have plans.’ There was a note in his voice of mischief, and something else which Joanna did not recognise but which caught Alex’s brooding attention.
‘Indeed? And what is her name?’
Before Giles could reply Hebe said, ‘Alex,’ sharply and Starling came in with a silver salver.
‘The post, my lady.’
‘Give it to his lordship please, Starling. My goodness, what a pile of letters. All our acquaintance no doubt telling us how much happier we would be in Brighton or Bath, I expect. I hope they have some interesting gossip. Oh, how I wish I could go sea bathing right this minute.’
‘Really?’ Joanna was startled.
‘Yes, truly. I do not understand it. I feel so restless, as though I could walk for miles.’
‘You’ll do no such thing, my darling, but if you are good and rest I will take you to Brighton the moment the doctor says you may go. Here you are, three letters for you, that should keep you occupied.’ Alex passed them across and tossed one letter to Giles. ‘One for you, Joanna.’
Joanna slit the seal on her letter which, by the handwriting, was from her sister Grace. No doubt she was now fully informed by Mama of her younger sister’s shocking behaviour, dangerous adventures and also Mama’s hopes of a proposal from Lord Clifton, despite all this.
She skimmed the letter, but it was exactly as she feared. Grace expressed shock, surprise, gentle chiding and a strong hint thatgood fortune was going to smile upon her despite it all. Joanna folded it crisply and set it down beside her plate. She was in no mood for lectures or sermons, however softly delivered.
Giles had unfolded the wrapper on his letter to reveal what appeared to be at least three sheets of expensive paper covered in a swirling hand. A cloud of attar of roses scent wafted across the table making Hebe cough.
He was reading with some difficulty but with an all too familiar expression on his face of affectionate amusement.
‘A letter from Lady Suzanne, I assume,’ Joanna enquired, attempting to keep the sharp note out of her voice.
‘Yes. I have not written foran age, so she says, and she is taking the opportunity to chide me for that and to remind me, with very little subtlety that it is her birthday in ten days. I suspect that all this hinting is because she knows I am buying horses and she would like a showy hack to ride in Town.’
‘How old will she be?’ Hebe asked.
‘Nineteen.’
‘And no offers yet? I am surprised. Surely she is an exceptionally eligible young lady.’
‘Exceptionally,’ Giles agreed. He hesitated, then added, ‘It is not yet spoken of, so I am sure you will not say anything, but there will be an announcement very soon.’
‘A lucky man,’ Hebe said, her tone sharp.
Joanna stopped breathing. Her every nerve seemed to be alive and hurting. She was unaware that she had put her cup of tea down sharply until it slopped into the saucer, splashing her hand. All she was conscious of was the expression in Giles’s grey eyes as he looked at the letter in his hand.
Suddenly she found she could move. In fact it was almost more than she could do to control her instinct to spring to her feet and run. She stood up abruptly, causing both men to rise rapidly too. ‘Please, don’t,’ she gestured for them to sit. ‘I thinkI will go for my ride now.’ She was at the door before Starling could collect himself to open it and there was an awkward shuffle as they both reached for the handle, then she was out and the door closed behind her.
Joanna arrived somewhat precipitously in the stable yard to find Hickling in earnest discussion with an under-groom who was just tightening the girths on Moonstone’s saddle. She set her hat rather more firmly on her head and pushed in the pins.
‘Miss Joanna, Robbins says you sent to have the grey saddled this morning.’
