“I…” She drew a gulp of air into her lungs and he felt them fill against him. As she released the breath, he settled her closer. “Thank you for that kiss. I never dreamed…”
He let out a rush of air as the realization dawned that it had been her first. Though why that should surprise him, he didn’t know. A kiss like that could ruin a woman and—
With that thought, he began to ease away. It was best they not linger here too long.
Gathering up both horses’ reins, he offered his elbow to Evie as they started toward the picnic.
The birds called cheerily and the shade from all the trees along the path made the walk extremely pleasant.
A light conversation started between them, that filled Evan with an easy joy he did not experience very often. He wished he could kiss Evie again.
And he wanted to hold onto this moment.
The missive he’d received earlier had detailed the flooding in his northern holdings and the families who’d been dispersed because of the damage to their homes.
He had a number of decisions to make before the day was done, and he wasn’t sure he liked any of the suggestions put forth by his steward.
He’d suggested putting multiple families in the remaining cottages or erecting temporary cloth tents to house them. Neither idea sat well with Evan.
Nor did it address the major problem. The homes were too close to the river, which had a tendency to flood in wetter summers.
But in this moment, with his mind calm and clear, he could begin to see the sort of solutions that would keep the families in good stead. Happy tenants made for profitable land.
And besides, in many ways being a duke was a responsibility not unlike that of a father. These people were his to care for and he’d see them right.
He looked at Evie, knowing her gentle presence helped to clarify his thoughts. She was good for his soul.
The trees gave way to the clearing, the picnickers milling near the blankets that had been laid about the knoll. The rolling hill overlooked much of the countess’s property and offered a lovely view of forest dotted with glimpses of the river that snaked through the trees. The horses were just to their left and Evan tied them off quietly so as not to draw too much attention to their absence. Then they slipped into the crowd.
“There you are,” Evie’s mother called. “I thought you might have gotten lost.”
Evie’s nose wrinkled. “Here I am.”
“Next time, keep up dear,” Lady Dunstable said as she came to stand in front of them. “You should have kicked your horse when I did.”
Evie’s mouth pressed into a tight line. “You know I’m not very good.”
Her mother shook her head, letting out an impatient sigh. “After all those lessons?”
“Lessons?” his aunt asked, coming to stand next to her friend. Though Evan was beginning to wonder what his aunt saw in the other woman.
“Horseback riding,” her mother huffed as Evie stiffened next to him.
His own irritation rose, the calm he’d felt earlier, disappearing.
“Oh, I’ve never been good at them either.” His aunt winked. “I don’t like being so high. Thankfully, His Grace stayed by my side but next time, I’ll picnic somewhere we can take a carriage, Lady Evelyn.”
Evie relaxed next to him as they started for the blankets. He tried to relax too, but the tension her mother inserted weighed on his shoulders.
What had Evie said about not letting those feelings bother him?
When Cousin Everett joined them, he nearly tossed up his hands in complete surrender. Lunch was sure to be a tedious affair now.
And Everett did not disappoint. Not two minutes into the meal, he started on Evan. “What’s this I hear about another flood in the north?”
Evan swallowed down the bite of minced meat pie, a frown pulling at his lips. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. Don’t trivialize those people’s suffering.”