Page 39 of Pleasantly Pursued

Instead, I turned my attention on determining the best man to select for Thea’s first dance at the Bakewell assemblies. I was tempted to select myself, of course, merely to vex her, but I feared what she would think of that.

“Perhaps Mr. Farnes will be in attendance,” I mused, rubbing a hand slowly over Jasper’s nose.

Thea stood two stalls down, murmuring softly to Luna and ignoring me.

“He is a nice enough chap, but he certainly does know how to carry a conversation.” She looked up at me, and I grinned. “All on his own.”

Her mouth flattened in an unamused line. “Splendid. Then nothing will be required of me.”

Shadows darkened the entrance to the stables, and Henry and James approached, watching us with mild interest. We had returned from our earlier ride and both remained to care for our horses—thatwas the only reason Thea and I were still in the stables together. I ought to have gone inside at least a half hour ago, perhaps, but I was waiting for Thea so we could walk together.

Now I regretted that impulse.

“Are you returning from a ride or preparing for one?” James asked.

“Returning,” Thea said. “I prefer the early mornings when the fog makes it difficult to see.”

James laughed. “There is a peace to be found then, I agree.”

“I wouldn’t know anything about peace,” she said lightly. “Benedict accompanied me.”

Henry and James both chuckled, and I shot them an irritated look. “Someonehas to ensure Thea isn’t trying to jump hedges on her own.”

“Oh, of course, brother. We do not employ enough grooms for that,” James said, his grin revealing his amusement.

We were no longer in our youth, so I was not forced to sit through the teasing of my brothers. I gave them a wide grin, patted Jasper on the nose, and pivoted toward the exit. “Enjoy your ride,” I called, not bothering to watch their continued schoolgirl chuckles. I made it through the stone archway and toward the back of the house before Thea caught up to me.

“They were only teasing,” she said.

I kept my gaze ahead of me. “I am well aware of that. They are older brothers and it is what they are best at.”

“Then why are you fleeing?”

“Flee—” I shook my head and looked at her. “I am hardlyfleeing. You make me sound like a heroine in a gothic novel. I am merely going to prepare for some business I must take care of later today.”

Thea nodded sagely. “Of course. Business. The excuse all men use when they seek privacy or an escape.”

She was not wrong, so I did not contradict her.

“We are meant to be friends, are we not?”

I laughed. “I believe you specifically mentioned we may have a truce, but we cannot and never will be friends.”

“Well, I was probably in a foul mood when I said that. Is a truce not a path toward friendship?”

I stopped on the gravel walkway and turned to face her. Did she want that? Desire my friendship? I could not deny I had long hoped for the same. It was wearing to constantly be at odds with one another. The last week of rides in the mornings and reduced quarreling during meal times had been a pleasant reprieve.

But looking at Thea now, I could not help but note the hesitation in her wide blue eyes, or the emotion that seemed to flutter in the energy about her. She was holding her breath.

Which begged the question: why was this so important to her?

“I would enjoy being your friend, Thea.”

Her shoulders relaxed. She sent me a wry grin. “Of course you would. Most people adore me.”

“I’m not most people,” I quipped, returning a phrase she once said to me. “But I can see why you have hordes of admirers.”

“I do not, which you well know. I’ve hadoneadmirer, and it was the product of a short relationship that ended before I came back to England.” She frowned. “Well, two, I suppose, if you count the vicar’s son and his declaration before I went to school.”

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