pressed her lips together. He was making light of what he’d done, dismissing it as nothing, just as he’d done about Waterloo. ‘Giving that boy a chance. Do you normally do things like that?’
‘Please don’t make me out to be a saint. It was a whim, nothing more.’ Kit pushed the brim of his hat down, shielding his eyes. ‘I’m currently a stable boy short. It is just that I took a chance. He might run off or not work out. Selfish of me more than anything.’
She glanced at him under her lashes. Whatever his motivations, Kit had done it and it wasn’t a whim or an impulse. He’d done it because of what had happened to him as a boy. It amazed her that she’d been so wrong about him when they first met. There was far more to him than superficial charm. ‘I trust your judgement.’
‘You should have allowed me to pay for the horse, then.’
‘You did quite enough with the boy. More than enough. I suspect you saved his life.’ Hattie looked over towards where the young boy stood quietly chatting with Kit’s coachman as Mrs Hampstead got into the carriage. Less than an hour, and she could already see a change in the boy. He stood taller, his shoulders were less hunched. ‘You did a great thing, Kit. Don’t belittle what you did. Allow me to think you a hero.’
His face became stony. ‘What you are going to call this new horse of yours?’
‘Strawberry.’ She allowed him to change the subject.
‘Strawberry?’
‘For obvious reasons. The horse’s colour reminds me of strawberry jam.’
‘And all that goes with it?’
Their shared laughter rang out over the stable yard. Several people turned around and looked at them as if they were mad. Hattie relaxed slightly. It didn’t matter if people saw them together here as they were properly chaperoned. ‘If you hadn’t been so concerned about the boy, I’d never have noticed the horse. I might have gone for the obvious one and paid over the odds. This one had hidden talents. All it needed was a bit of encouragement.’
His eyes twinkled. ‘It reminds me of someone I know. A tiny bit of encouragement and her full beauty was revealed.’
‘I wonder who you might be thinking of?’ Hattie enjoyed the warm feeling rushing through her. It was the less obvious compliments which made her feel utterly beautiful. ‘Now when we ride, you will be the one who needs to keep up.’
‘You seem awfully sure about that. Would you care to wager?’
She glanced up at him. ‘Are we at the point of wagering?’
He slid his hand slowly down her arm until his fingers curled about hers and squeezed tightly. ‘Yes, definitely.’
Hattie leant forwards in her saddle and urged Strawberry up the slope. She’d had her horse only a few short weeks, but she already saw a huge difference in her riding ability. Over the past few weeks, even though it was never specifically planned, she and Kit seemed to meet most mornings on horseback for a gallop across the fells.
Keeping her independence was important. Whatever happened long term with Kit, she knew she’d treasure Strawberry. Kit had wanted to give her this horse and that was enough. She hated that she clung to every moment they were together, hoarding them like they were precious jewels. If she started to accept gifts, it would change their relationship. Hattie knew that she could never be a kept woman. She never wanted to become like Charles’s mistress.
Kit was the perfect companion. They spoke about everything. She learnt how the renovations for the house were going and how John the stable boy was working out. Her concern appeared to amuse Kit. Kit predicted that with a little schooling, the boy could go far, but he never said when or where it would take place. In odd moments, when she was on her own, it bothered Hattie as it was another sign that this was a summer romance, rather than anything permanent. But wasn’t that what she wanted, too? All she would allow herself?
Besides, being involved in a summer’s romance was an exhilarating feeling. Even Stephanie’s complaints about her pregnancy and her increasing demands failed to dampen Hattie’s enthusiasm for riding and for the clandestine affair. She rejoiced in the knowledge that it belonged to her and Kit only.
She reined in Strawberry at the top of the hill. Kit came thundering up the hill, a few feet behind her. ‘You see, Kit, I could do it. I was able to take the wall and land correctly.’
‘You made it to the top of the hill first … for once.’ His grey eyes twinkled as he dismounted. ‘You are fast becoming an expert rider. Only a week ago, you’d have avoided that wall. Today, there was no hesitation.’
‘It felt like flying.’
‘You should take care. The last thing anyone wants is for you to get hurt.’
‘What are my winnings?’ She slid off Strawberry’s back and looped the reins around a branch. A buoyant happiness filled her. She had done it. She had actually jumped the dry stone wall and flown over the stream, things she never dreamt possible. And she wasn’t going to allow Kit’s sudden concern to dampen her triumph.
A dimple shone in the corner of his mouth. ‘What were you thinking?’
She glanced about her. The ridge was secluded and private. She stripped off her gloves and hat, and placed them on the ground. She lifted her face to his. ‘A kiss. No one is here. No one will spy on us.’
‘My lady is demanding. A kiss it shall be.’ He lowered his mouth to hers and brushed her lips. She wrapped her arms about his neck and drank from his mouth.
‘You call that a kiss? Your hat kept hitting my forehead.’ Hattie knew her breath was coming a little too fast.
‘A thousand pardons.’ He took off his hat and tossed it neatly on top of hers before undoing his neckcloth.
‘That’s a bit better.’ A deliciously wicked shiver went through her. There was something to be said for enjoying Kit’s company. He was the perfect companion for playing and she had a hard time remembering when she’d last played so much.
He gave a husky laugh and pulled her body into his so that their pelvises touched. ‘Perhaps I should allow you to win more often.’
‘Only if I deserve it.’
‘You definitely deserve to be kissed.’ He pulled her more firmly into his arms. ‘And for once no one is here.’
‘I take it you wish to stay here for a while.’
‘I might do … unless there is a call upon your time.’
‘Do you think we dare?’
He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked down at her. His eyes crinkled in the corners. ‘We can do what we want, but I suspect the grass will be itchy. And you will get seeds in your hair again.’
‘Mrs Hampstead keeps her conversation to domestic trivialities these days and Stephanie is utterly absorbed in her family. She never asks about how I spend my time.’ Hattie bit her lip. She’d been thinking about touching him all morning while she was listening to Stephanie’s complaints about how Livvy had suddenly become a bluestocking and was constantly seeking to go to the circulating
