CHAPTERSIX
The followingday a party assembled out by the stables.
The younger members of the group had decided to take a tour of the property on horseback. Lord Farthington, Tillie, and Juliet stood together as they waited for Millie and Lord Smith to join them.
Parker held the reins of his gelding, eager to begin. It was another fine summer day, the sun shining brightly in the sky despite some distant clouds on the horizon. He loved to be out of doors, and a morning ride to gain some exercise and fresh air always bolstered his spirits.
Beside him, Tillie wrinkled her nose. “Are we certain we can’t walk?”
“Walk?” he asked with a small smile. While they’d not announced any formal courtship, they’d also not announced their lack of interest either. The marchioness, none the wiser, had been the one to suggest this ride as an opportunity for the young people to get to know one another better.
As everyone knew each other and he was the only new member of the group, he knew what the dowager marchioness had meant. This was an opportunity for himself and Tillie to spend more time together.
“I don’t fancy riding,” Tillie replied, frowning at the gentle mare. “Too fast and too high. I like to be near the ground where I can observe.”
His brow crinkled. “But then why did your mother suggest riding?”
Tillie wrinkled her nose. “My mother’s suggestions rarely take into account any of her children’s preferences. They are completely goal-oriented.”
His brows lifted. “Goal?”
Tillie shook her head. “See me matched with you, my lord.”
He refrained from commenting. What could he say? She was about to be sorely disappointed? He thought Tillie might not appreciate that information being shared in front of her brother.
He was spared further conversation when Lord Smith approached with Millie on his arm. In a dark blue habit, her hazel eyes took on a blue hue that made her even more breathtaking in the morning sun.
High-necked and fitted in the bodice, the gown seemed to highlight the elegant lines of her face, the curves of her body. Even her thick mass of hair, spilling out from her bonnet, seemed well displayed and his breath bottled in his lungs as he stared.
“Lord Rangeley?” Tillie asked next to him. “Did you hear me?”
“What?” he asked, tearing his gaze from Millie to look at Tillie. “My apologies.”
Tillie’s gaze travelled from Millie to himself. “I was saying that I’m dreadful on a horse but you likely remember that from the picnic at Lady Greenburg’s. You were kind enough to lead me most of the way.”
He gave himself a shake. “And I will again.”
She gave him a grateful smile but Lord Farthington also answered her charge. “As will I, dear sister. Lord Rangeley is an excellent horseman and he ought to have a chance to stretch out a bit.”
Tillie leaned forward. “Both my brother and my sister like you a great deal.” Then her voice dropped to a whisper. “Try not to impress them too much or they shall be terribly disappointed when you leave.”
Millie had said she liked him? His pulse jumped, thrumming through his veins as he looked at the younger Crosby sister again, his chest tightening into an ache. How much did she like him? Enough to entertain a future with him?
But then he shook his head.
Fanciful dreams that had no place in his life or hers. He drew in steadying breath as he helped Tillie into the saddle, battling a rare bout of jealousy as he watched Lord Smith place his hands about Millie’s waist and lift her up.
Lord Farthington aided Juliet and they set out, but he quickly found himself at the back of the party as he helped Lady Juliet and Tillie slowly pick their way around fields and over woodsy trails. All the while, the two of them discussed various oceanic life and possible areas of research that had been left unexplored.
Clearly, the ladies were serious about their research center and their conversation gave him the opportunity to at least daydream and his thoughts were filled with Millie, who clearly did not share her sister’s dislike for horseback.
She rode ahead with Lord Farthington and Lord Smith, easily keeping up with the other two men.
He longed to join her. How good of a rider was she?
He’d caught glimpses of her easily handling her mount, her body moving fluidly with the animal.
The sight made him ache with a longing he dared not think about too deeply. It was a useless endeavor.