“An animal feels pain as much as any human,” he said. “And her name is Miss Dunston, not ‘woman.’ Speak to her so disrespectfully again, and we’ll have words.”
Each man glared at the other like a pair of bulls squaring off to lock horns. That was shocking in itself, but what surprised her more was how Sir Aaron had come to her defense! Hers!
“He’s not worth the trouble, Sir Aaron,” Louisa whispered.
The man’s eyes went wide, and he threw back his head and laughed. “So, this is the brave knight I’ve been hearing about. Sadly, your title is barely above a trinket sold on High Street. Unlike mine.” He gave a mocking bow that had him sweeping an arm behind him. “Ashton, Baron of Lenten. Nowthatis a title to be honored.”
Louisa frowned. She had never heard of this man. But witnessing two men fighting was not anything she enjoyed. Therefore, she smiled and said, “You must be new to Chatsworth, my lord, for I’ve never seen you before.”
Lord Lenten smirked as he squatted beside the dog and removed the cloth from its paw. Peering at it, he threw it aside. “I’ve taken up residence in the area at the request of a friend,” he said. “Perhaps you’ve seen him? Lord Ezra Colburn.”
Louisa was unable to stop herself from gaping. Oh, she knew well who Lord Ezra was, for he was the very man causing problems with Mrs. Rutley. What had him inviting this friend to Chatsworth?
As if hearing her thoughts, the baron said, “I’ve heard about your headmistress, girl. Why anyone would send his daughterhereis beyond understanding. But she’ll not corrupt any more young ladies. I’m here to see that school shut down by the end of the year.”
“Ruth, no!” Louisa said, grabbing her friend by the arm to keep her from pummeling the baron.
“You’ll do no such thing!” Ruth shouted. “You’re not welcome here,my lord.” She used the address as a curse. “And if you return, I promise your next visit will not end well.”
“Silence, both of you,” Sir Aaron hissed before turning back to Lord Lenten. “Let us bid you a good day, my lord.”
With a snap of his fingers at the dog, the baron leapt onto his horse and galloped away. Louisa’s heart went out to the limping animal that followed in his wake, hoping its paw healed quickly.
Ruth grumbled a threat under her breath before storming away toward the house, leaving Louisa and Sir Aaron alone.
Louisa looked up at the knight and was surprised to find his eyes searching her face. “I’m sorry you were forced to witness such uncouth behavior, Miss Dunston. If he were not a baron, I would have struck him for the harsh tone he used with you.”
Louisa’s heart raced, and her mouth went dry. So, her earlier thoughts had been correct. He would protect her. The very idea sent a tingling down her spine, much like the kiss he had given her.
And suddenly, she wished he would kiss her again.
“Thank you,” she whispered, but he made no move to draw closer to her. She retrieved the handkerchief from where Lord Lenten had thrown it and offered it to Sir Aaron.
Sighing, he returned the cloth to his pocket before offering her his arm once more. They walked over to a nearby tree and stopped.
“I must go,” he said. “But first, we must discuss this truce you’ve offered concerning the theater. I don’t typically make such agreements with women, but after today, I can see I have little choice.”
Louisa had been so taken by Sir Aaron that she had nearly forgotten her plan. Now, her heart leapt with joy. He was finally seeing the error of his ways by recognizing that women were equal to men in more ways than he once believed. After all, she had been the one to calm the dog in order for him to remove the thorn from its paw. If not for her actions, the poor animal would still be in pain.
Getting him to admit this truth outright, however, would not be easy. Men were not willing to give up even an inch of their position of superiority, even if its infallibility was proven as it had been today. And his good looks would make doing so all the more difficult. If he was not careful, he would be unable to walk with the amount of pride he carried on his shoulders.
“I realize it makes little difference that I was correct,” she said, choosing her words carefully. “What is important is that we were able to remove the thorn. You’ve grown wiser today, and that is what matters most.”
His eyes narrowed, and his brows lowered. “You make it sound as if you’re somehow victorious in all this, but was it not I who removed the thorn?” He took a step away from her. “And I was not speaking about the dog—or you, for that matter. Lord Lenten is the one who was lucky today, for I was close to pummeling him for his rudeness! And because I could not act so callously in the presence of a young lady, or rather in the presence of"—he gave a small nod to the returning Ruth—“I’ll do the honorable thing and accept your offer of a truce. I’ll make no requests for investors for thirty days.” He pushed out a hand. “I suggest we shake on it.”
He pushed out a hand, and Louisa gaped at it. The gall of the man! It was clear it was because of her that the dog had been saved, for if she had not calmed it, he would not have been able to remove the thorn. But being the kind woman she was, she had allowed him to take some credit for the rescue so he could take some of the praise. Even if he did not deserve it.
As the knight stood with his arms crossed over his chest, Louisa allowed herself one more look. He truly was alluring. So much so that he could tempt any woman. But she was not just any woman. She could fight her urges. Especially when the man to whom she was attracted was so full of himself.
Louisa took his hand and gave it a firm shake. “Yes, Sir Aaron,” she said, batting her eyelashes and causing his grin to widen. “We do have an agreement.”
ChapterNine
Lying on her bed, several pillows behind her back, Louisa read the book on business she had borrowed from Lord Walcott’s library. It had been two days since the incident with the mastiff, and she continued to struggle with her emotions when it came to Sir Aaron.
Part of her wished the knight would call on her again. His handsome gaze made her feel as if she were the loveliest woman on earth. That, to him, she mattered. Yet how was it possible to be attracted to someone she despised?
The encounter with the dog had given her a glimpse of a decent, admirable man who had earned his knighthood. Or so she had believed. After all, anyone willing to save a wounded animal was worthy of admiration. Yet then he had to open his mouth, allowing his haughtiness to come pouring out as easily as water from a pitcher.