Lady of Charade by Ellie St. Clair

Author:Ellie St. Clair
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-07-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

DAVID AWOKE THE next day with a renewed sense of purpose. While they had hardly spoken of anything of consequence, his interlude with Sarah last night had been one that reassured him, providing him with a sense that everything would be all right between them, would it not? She had joked with him, had laughed with him, and surely there was nothing that they could not overcome together.

He was well aware that she had desired him as much as he did her, but as much as he wanted to make love to her again—whether within the library or upon the return to her rooms—he had settled with a brief kiss goodnight. He was worried about giving her the impression that all he wanted from her was to sleep together once more. Then there was, of course, the potential of being discovered, but that he was willing to risk.

The entirety of what he truly did want in the future remained slightly out of his grasp, but it was becoming clearer to him the more time he spent together with her. He had no wish to rush into anything, however, for the last thing he wanted was to hurt this woman if he decided that a future together was not what he desired.

The gentlemen were to take part in a hunt that afternoon upon the arrival of others within the party, which David welcomed as he had always loved a good chase.

He followed Berkley out to the stables to prepare his mount, Francis and Clarence among them as well.

“You are in good spirits today,” Clarence commented, and David nodded.

“It’s a beautiful day and we are off on a hunt—what else could a man want?”

He noted Berkley and Clarence exchange a look, but he chose to ignore it.

“Say,” Francis said, calling David’s attention to him, for the man didn’t typically say much amongst their company. “The ring you’re wearing—is that the one you were discussing yesterday? The one belonging to Miss Jones?”

“It is,” he affirmed, though he felt somewhat ridiculous at actually wearing the thing. He was worried, however, that he would otherwise lose it, which he was loathe to do after promising its safe return.

Francis surprised him by reaching out and taking his wrist, stepping closer to take a better look at the ring.

“I’ve seen this crest before,” he murmured, causing the other three men to stop mid-step upon the grass halfway between the house and the stables and stare at him.

“You have?” David asked. “Where?”

“That’s the problem—I’m not entirely sure,” Francis said with a frown. “Permit me some time to think on it?”

“Of course,” David said, and then, hoping to prompt the man’s memory, continued. “Where would you have seen noble family crests?”

“Redmond,” Clarence chastised with a disapproving stare and David quickly altered his words.

“I mean no offense, Francis. I am asking simply to try to help determine to whom this might belong.”

“It’s fine,” Francis said with a wave of his hand. “However, I actually see more crests than you might think, upon jockeys’ silks, horses’ tack, or documents regarding the pedigree of horses.

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