Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
She looked around elaborately. There was no one in the lane with them aside from the tinker who was already walking away, in search of his next customer and two women walking with baskets probably on their way to market.
* * *
“Several eyes?” she gave him a sardonic look.
* * *
He rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean.”
* * *
“I know you’re being remarkably possessive for a man who claims no interest in me.”
* * *
He blinked at her, his cheeks flushing slightly. “I never claimed no interest. I simply said that I could not act on it.”
* * *
“I see.” Janice took hold of her horse’s bridle and began to walk. The duke fell into step beside her. “And why is it that you cannot act on it, pray tell.”
* * *
He took a deep breath through his nose, looking away. “At the moment, my focus is on destruction and not creation.”
* * *
“Yes, you had said you’d like to tear down your father’s manor. But you did not say why. Did you hate him that much?”
* * *
“More than I can say.”
* * *
Janice was startled by his answer and at a loss for words. “Oh…” they walked quietly for a while.
* * *
“I do not expect you to understand. Your father is clearly wonderful to you.”
* * *
She smiled. “He is. An indulgent man who experiences great difficulty in saying the word ‘no’ especially since my mother died.” The smile dropped from her face. “It is unfortunate because some might take advantage of it.”
* * *
“You mean like you, prancing about in men’s breeches?”
* * *
She glared at him. “No, I simply meant that he is remiss with collecting the rents and such. He despises confrontation. Can’t be bothered really.”
* * *
He was staring at her. “You say that others are taking advantage of your father’s softness but are you not doing the same?”
* * *
She smiled. “You are obsessed with my breeches are you not?”
* * *
“It is not appropriate clothing for a gently brought-up young lady.”
* * *
“Well, perhaps I wasn’t gently bred.” She grinned at him.
* * *
“I doubt very much your father would agree. Or your brother. And where is your lady’s maid?” he looked around as if she might appear from the tall grass. “You really should not be out on your own.”
* * *
Janice laughed. “Your concern is noted. But my sisters and I do not actually have ladies’ maids. We cater to our own needs and dress ourselves quite easily.”
* * *
Again, he looked down at her breeches. “I see that.”
* * *
“So, kindly stop worrying about me and allow me to enjoy this glorious morning.”
* * *
He bowed to her. “Of course, my apologies. Would you like me to leave you be?”
* * *
“No!” Janice blushed a bit when she realized how loud she’d been. “Don’t go. Walk with me.”
* * *
He stared at her for a moment. “Very well then.”
CHAPTER 7
The problem with Lady Janice’s clothing was that they outlined her bottom quite lovingly, leaving nothing to the imagination, and it was causing an embarrassing tightness in his own breeches.
* * *
Her riding coat was also quite figure-hugging and as a whole, was extremely distracting. The urge to touch her was almost overwhelming and he had to clasp his own hands very tightly together to keep them from wandering.
* * *
“Am I stopping you from taking the air upon your horse? Please, there’s no need to cater to me, you may-”
* * *
“I want to walk with you,” she interrupted, her lashes sweeping down to hide her brilliant blue eyes from him. Her words hit him like a sword to the chest, unbalancing him slightly. He was continuously caught off balance by her innocent coquettishness. Living so far from London had shielded her from the consequences of her carelessness, and probably also encouraged her free-spiritedness. Arthur wasn’t sure if he hated it or loved it.
* * *
“Then let us walk,” he said, offering her his arm.
* * *
They trudged along in silence for a while, listening to the world awaken. Birds called to each other in the trees while small creatures rustled about in the tall grass. Since most of the land to the left belonged to Avebury Manor, and the right side of the road was an empty field, there wasn’t much foot traffic.
* * *
“Shall we get off the road? I understand there’s a lake on the other side of this field,” Arthur asked.
* * *
She nodded and smiled. “Yes of course. Have you never been there?”
* * *
Arthur hesitated and then shrugged internally.
* * *
What will it hurt to tell her?
* * *
“My father did not let us out of the compound when my mother and I were here with him. We barely saw anything except the bleak stone walls of the manor.”