Page 24 of The Heiress in Disguise
“No? Aren’t you on my land?” She caught herself. “I mean, on Lord Leicester’s land?”
“You must forgive me.”
“I don’t mind really,” she said with a smile. “What I’ve heard is that the ownership of this creek is in dispute, so it might belong to Lord Cambridge just as easily as to Lord Leicester. Though let’s not ever allow Lady Leicester to hear us say such a thing. She wouldn’t like it.”
“I can’t imagine she would,” Philip agreed.
Angelique gave the dog’s collar a gentle shake. “You seem to lose track of your animals quite frequently.”
“Oh, I hadn’t lost Hunter there. He likes to be allowed to run free.”
“I see.”
“I hope he didn’t disturb you?”
“Not at all,” Angelique assured him. “You needn’t worry about that. I like dogs.”
“I suppose he must have been drawn in by your singing.”
Angelique blushed. “You heard that?”
“I’m sorry if you meant it to be private, but yes, I did. You have a marvelous voice.”
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“I didn’t recognize the song. What was it?”
“Something I made up when I was younger,” she said. “As a child, I used to spend quite a lot of time coming up with songs. My parents loved it when I would perform my compositions for them. Of course, I’m not actually a musician—my songs were usually childish.”
“I’m sure they weren’t.”
She laughed. “The one I was just singing was about a knight by the name of Sir Saves-A-Lot. I bet you can’t guess what he does.”
“Does he save a lot?”
“Very perceptive.”
“Perhaps you’ll sing it for me sometime.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t hold your breath for that.” She smiled. “I wouldn’t have been singing it now if I’d known anyone was listening. It’s quite embarrassing. I wish you hadn’t heard me, to be honest.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you any embarrassment.”
“No, it isn’t your fault at all,” she assured him. “And besides, a little embarrassment can be healthy from time to time.”
“Do you think so?”
“I think it keeps a person from veering into a mindset of arrogance,” she said. “I would much rather be embarrassed than arrogant.”
“You seem like a thoughtful young woman,” he said, cocking his head at her.
“I do try to be. I do the best I can.”
“May I ask you something?”
“I suppose you may,” she said cautiously. “I can’t promise an answer, but you may ask.”
“I wondered—does it make you happy?”
