“Sir Aaron,” she said, performing a low curtsy. “And I believe you have yet to meet my friend, Miss Ruth Lockhart?”
Aaron nearly started at the introduction. He was so caught up in the web Miss Dunston had weaved that he had not noticed the red-haired young woman at her side. “A pleasure, Miss Lockhart,” he said curtly before returning his attention to his target. “I appreciate the invitation, Miss Dunston. Though, I must admit it was quite vague in its intention.”
She came to stand directly in front of him, and his breath caught. Those eyes seemed to penetrate his very being. “Some things should not be put into writing, sir,” she whispered. Oh, but her voice was like a soft caress, making his skin pebble with anticipation. “I thought it would be best to say what I wish in person.”
Clearing his throat, Aaron glanced at the building that housed the school. “Will we go inside?”
“I thought we would take a stroll around the gardens,” she said breathily. “We should take advantage of the warm weather. One never knows what tomorrow may bring.” Her brows rose innocently. “But we’ll do whatever you would like.”
Aaron sighed with relief. So, the girl did understand life far better than he first realized. That a man’s responsibilities and comfort far outweighed that of a woman. Perhaps he had been too quick to dismiss any hope for her.
He had intended to go inside, but instead, he said, “Yes, I would enjoy taking a stroll.” When her hand came to rest on the arm he offered her, a sudden urge to protect her washed over him. “I say we begin at that large tree.”
The redhead… what had been her name? Miss Lockhart. Yes, that was it. Miss Lockhart followed behind them as they strolled down the drive and came to a stop at the oak tree. Several sets of initials marred the smooth surface left by the removal of a branch, but before he could inquire, she spoke.
“Thank you for calling here today. I realize that men of your level of importance are often occupied with work.”
“Indeed, we are,” Aaron replied, smiling down at her appreciatively. Perhaps she would make a very good wife.
He nearly choked. Where had that thought come from?
“I’ve thought often about what happened in the library at Foxly Manor,” Miss Dunston whispered.
Aaron glanced over his shoulder and was relieved to see Miss Lockhart several steps behind them. “Are you still angry with me?” he asked. “What word was it you used? Oh, yes, you said you despised me. That is a bit different from simply being angry.”
Miss Dunston clasped her hands together at her breast. “I did. You see, I’ve never been accosted like that before. But I must admit… Oh, how do I explain this? It calmed the rebellion in me, so thank you.”
Unable to help himself, Aaron grinned in victory. Another woman conquered with a simple kiss. If she was this easy to control, perhaps he would be parading her around sooner than he expected.
“I also wish to apologize,” she continued. “I was angry and spoke rather harshly.”
His breath caught. She had placed a hand on his arm. Not as she had when he walked her to the tree. No, this was more familiar, more intimate. And what was that? A sigh?
A beast roared inside him, and he had to fight it down. It was one thing to kiss her in the library where no one would see, but out here in front of the school? Absolutely not!
Walking her fingers up his arm, she smiled up at him. “Are we at peace now, sir? In regard to the silly argument we have over the theater?”
“Of course,” he managed to say through a throat so parched, he could have swallowed a mouthful of sand. “I hold no ill will toward you, Miss Dunston. And please, don’t feel bad. Many women experience streaks of rebellion from time to time. As long as you realize the trouble it can cause, that is what matters. I’m just glad to have been the one to help you see a better way.”
She smiled up at him and placed her hand on his arm as before. “Shall we stroll a while longer?”
They continued past the right of the tree toward an open field.
“I’ve thought about the theater,” Miss Dunston said.
“So, you’ve decided to put aside your foolish notion?”
She shook her head. “No, I wish to continue my quest to save it.”
Aaron came to an abrupt stop. She had not invited him here to apologize! “So, I was right all along. You asked me here so you could use your feminine charms to make me change my mind. Well, your coquettish ways have been exposed for what they are, Miss Dunston. I, for one, shall not fall for them!”
Miss Dunston looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and confusion clouded his mind. “It appears you’ve misinterpreted my intentions, sir.”
His mind told him to keep his guard, yet he could not stop the pounding of his heart against his sternum.Listen to her,it said.
“I’m listening.” He sighed. It appeared the battle was already lost.
“Well, it occurred to me,” Miss Dunston said, “with so many of the more affluent residents off in London for the Season, my attempts to raise the necessary funds to see the theater restored have not been as sufficient as I expected. What good is the two of us scurrying about when those who can provide the most money are not here to show their support?”