A Worthy Woman by L.L. Diamond

Author:L.L. Diamond [Diamond, L.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-15T18:30:00+00:00

Nicholas handed Kelpie’s reins to the groom. “He will need a good walk so he is cool when you put him up.”

“Yes, sir.”

As his mount was being led away, hoofbeats from behind him made him turn as Lady Fiona atop her stallion approached and stopped a few feet away. She dismounted as another groom came running out of the stable.

She handed off her horse to the boy. “I do not expect to be here long.”

Once the groom had led the horse inside, Nicholas took a step forward as she adjusted the skirt of her habit. “I had not expected you to seek me out. You avoided me for the last few days of your stay and departed Moydrum without taking your leave.”

“I had not meant to offend. At the time, I thought steering clear would be in the best interest of us both.”

“I took no offense, although I found it difficult to justify to your father why I did not find your actions objectionable.” And he had. Lord Kildare had been exceedingly mortified, apologising for his daughter multiple times when he departed, but Nicholas could not very well explain that he had kissed the earl’s daughter on more than one occasion, not to mention spent the night with the lady in the library. He would not have taken well to such a confession of his sister or his cousins much less a daughter.

“I understand,” she said. “However, I should like to speak with you for a moment if you have the time.”

“Do you think it a good idea?” He could not help but chuckle with the question.

“Whether it is or not, I need to talk to you if you on a matter of some import. Do you have somewhere we can speak without being overheard but where it is still proper?”

Her coming here was hardly proper, but to say so would likely raise her ire. As much as he enjoyed seeing her eyes flash and upbraid him, doing so now would only serve to bring about the situation they were attempting to avoid.

“Very well.”

She followed when he took the path that led to the house. When they reached a small clearing near the pond, he paused and turned to face her, clasping his hands behind his back. If he kept them bound so, mayhap he would not touch her.

Her hands began to wring at each other, and her foot began tapping in a furious rhythm. “I must beg your forgiveness, but this morning, after I returned from my ride, my father requested my presence in his study. I suppose what occurred with Sir Malcolm as well as Papa’s recent illness has made him needlessly worry for me. What will become of me, who will protect me from unscrupulous suitors, and the like? His intention is to betroth me to the son of a friend from County Clare.”

“While I can understand why you would prefer to maintain your independence, I can sympathise with your father’s concern.” He would have felt the same were Amelia in Lady Fiona’s position.

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