our landlord, but there it is. I only hope I haven’t blotted my copybook already! It wouldn’t help the children’s reception—already dubious, according to what you’ve told me—if your servants carry tales hinting that I’m a lightskirt.’
Her companion choked back a laugh. ‘You really are plain-spoken, aren’t you?’
‘I’m completely devoid of maidenly sensibilities,’ Theo admitted. ‘Perhaps I should try to acquire some, if it will make the idea of the school more acceptable to the neighbourhood.’
‘Though you may be right, I’d hate to see it. I find your candour refreshing.’
‘So is a dunk in the Channel, but most people would rather avoid it,’ Theo said wryly. ‘I’ll have to learn to curb my tongue—and think more carefully about my actions.’ She made a mental note to ask Aunt Amelia, before she returned to London, to review with her the most important rules of propriety.
‘You’re probably right about tea,’ Ransleigh allowed. ‘Talking over experiences on the Peninsula, it’s too easy to fall back into army ways and forget the rigid notions of conduct that apply here. Since I’ve been back in England less than a month, after years away, my memory of those rules is probably as rusty as yours. But let me assure you, no tales of our lapses today will be heard beyond the walls of Bildenstone—or the offenders will answer to me.’
Surprised, she looked up at him. Though linked by their memories of campaign, he was still little more than a stranger. No connection between them required him to watch over her reputation, and she was impressed that he intended to do so.
He truly was an officer and a gentleman.
‘I wouldn’t expect you to go to such trouble, but I do appreciate it.’
‘Don’t want you to run afoul of the Lady Wentworths of the county before you’ve even got your building renovated,’ he said, turning his attention back to his driving.
* * *
All too soon, they arrived back at Bildenstone Hall. Once again resisting the temptation to continue their conversation, Theo refused his offer to proceed to the drawing room while a groom fetched her horse.
‘There’s no need for you to tarry here, truly!’ she said when he gallantly insisted on waiting outside with her. ‘I shall be off as soon as Firefly is brought up. The children will be missing me, and there’s still so much to do, getting the house up to snuff and filling in until I can secure a teacher.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘You don’t intend to teach the children yourself?’
‘No. While we were with the army, I helped Jemmie with his letters and sums, but we hadn’t the materials, nor I the training or inclination, to give him a proper schooling. Not that the children should study languages and philosophy—just gain a thorough grounding in reading and arithmetic. While they learn, we shall ascertain what most interests them, then train them to that trade, for which I’ll need to hire instructors as well. I doubt I could sit still long enough to manage a classroom. I have to be out and about, moving around, accomplishing things.’
‘I can appreciate that. After months of being cooped up, mostly bedridden, I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed this drive in the fresh air.’
‘Then you must drive about often—as long as you don’t tire yourself. You’re not fully healed yet, remember.’
‘Don’t worry. My arm and shoulder will remind me, should I be tempted to forget.’
From the stable lane, a groom paced up, leading her mare. ‘Here’s Firefly,’ she said, turning back to him, ‘so I will take my leave.’
After giving the mare a quick inspection, Mr Ransleigh nodded his approval. ‘Good, deep heart, nice level croup, and well muscled—she must be a fine goer.’ Reaching out to stroke the horse’s neck, he crooned, ‘What a lovely lady you are! Such a graceful neck, pretty eyes and small, perfect ears!’
As the mare nickered and leaned into Ransleigh’s massaging fingers, Theo chuckled. ‘I believe she’s preening for you. Which is quite a compliment! Firefly doesn’t take to just anyone. You must have a way with horses.’
‘I’ve always loved them. Spent most of the last fifteen years when not in the army breeding and training them. Hunters and steeplechasers who—’ Abruptly he went silent, leaving the sentence unfinished.
Even if I just had my limitations forcefully demonstrated, his cryptic comment came back to her as she recalled the fractious stallion who’d almost trampled her. But oh, he can fly like the wind and jump anything in his path.
‘You trained that black beast from yesterday,’ she said, putting it all together.
‘And many more like him,’ Ransleigh said tightly. ‘For all the good it does me now.’
All horses he could no longer ride. Theo felt an ache in her chest. One more loss, one more joy stolen from him. How terribly cruel life could be!
‘It must have taken remarkable skill, just to get him to accept a rider,’ she said, wanting to ease the tension in that clenched jaw. ‘He looked like he would have enjoyed running us down.’
He rewarded her with a slight smile. ‘He would have, the evil-tempered devil.’
The urge to linger and question him further teased at her. Clenching her teeth against it, she told herself she should bid him farewell before this intriguing man charmed her any further.
‘Well, I must be off. You’re welcome to call any time at Thornfield Place and meet the children. Or not, as you choose,’ she added, unhappily aware he was unlikely to take her up on that offer.
Before the groom could assist her, Ransleigh offered his hand. ‘You were right,’ he said as he lifted her into the saddle. ‘I can do it, if I want to.’
Our last contact, she thought with a little sigh as he released her boot. ‘I am sure you will soon be able to do whatever you wish, Mr Ransleigh. Thank you again for giving my orphans a chance.’
With a wave of her riding crop and a foolish sense of regret, she turned Firefly and set off towards Thornfield.
She felt the warmth of his gaze on her back, all the way to the turn in the drive.
* * *
By the time she’d ridden most of the way home, Theo had convinced herself she’d not really responded as strongly to Mr Ransleigh as she’d first imagined. After all, it was only natural that she would feel comfortable around a man who’d spent nearly as many years with Wellington’s army as she had, especially after more than a month of dealing with civilians.
Nor did she deny he attracted her. The scarred face and eye patch did nothing to detract from his commanding profile, nor the missing arm from the vitality that emanated from him, despite the fact that he was not fully recovered from his injuries. Indeed, in her eyes, the marks of the suffering he’d endured in defending his country enhanced his already arresting physical attributes.
But that attraction, like the welcome relief of finding herself once again in a soldier’s company, had doubtless been heightened by not having experienced the feeling in so long.
She
