Page 70 of The Recluse of Wolfeton House (Ladies of Devon 4)

Taking her horse’s reins, she led him toward a fallen tree and used it to regain the saddle. She was equal parts nervous and excited to see Bentley again. Surely he would have much to tell her after his recent trip.

When Hattie turned her horse in the direction of home, she screamed at the sight of a man on horseback just two paces away.

“Forgive me,” Mr. Warren said, lifting his brown hat in greeting before placing it back on his copper hair. “I did not intend to sneak up on you. I thought you could hear my approach.”

Hattie’s gaze shot to the tree before she swallowed and turned a bright smile on Mr. Warren. “I was distracted.”

His brow was puzzled. “Yes, I see. Now, was I mistaken, or did you just—”

“Are you coming to the assemblies tomorrow?” she asked quickly before he had a chance to finish his question. She didn’t wish for him to ask about the tree. She couldn’t lie to another person.

His impatient horse stamped his hooves. “I did not know of it.”

“In Melbury, tomorrow night at the White Hare. It’s on High Street. You won’t miss it.”

“I will be there,” Mr. Warren promised. He watched her closely, and she grew uncomfortable under his stare.

Hattie nodded. “Tomorrow then,” she said, trying to sound airy. She turned her horse about and headed for home, uncertain why she was so discomfited by the interaction. Mr. Warren showed every sign of being interested in her. She should be glad of their chance encounter.

Well, not entirely chance, of course. He was staying with the duke, and they’d met on Bentley’s land.

She sucked in a quick breath as her horse cleared the treeline and broke onto her father’s property. If Mr. Warren was still nearby, she could ask him to extend the invitation to Bentley. Glancing over her shoulder, she searched for motion but did not see anyone.

Surely he did not need her request in order to make sure Bentley was aware of the assemblies. He had said he planned to rejoin society, had he not? She urged her horse to go faster, eager to return home. She wanted to look her best tomorrow night. There was a probable chance she would see Bentley then, and she needed him to know that they could put the awkwardness of their last encounter behind them and remain friends. She wasn’t ready to lose his lessons or his company. She’d grown too fond of them to sacrifice them yet.

When she returned her horse to the stables and let herself into the house, she snuck upstairs and allowed Agnes to draw a bath to warm her chilled body. She did her best to remove Bentley from her mind, but it was much harder to do than she expected. There was nothing for it. They would need to discuss what had happened.

Preferably at the assemblies, while she looked her best. Then she could ease the discomfort of the conversation with a friendly dance. The prospect was enticing, and she warmed to it the more she thought on it.

Sitting at her dressing table while Agnes combed through her hair, Hattie couldn’t dampen the smile that curved her lips. She was going to see Bentley.

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