The Defiant Governess (Lessons in Love, Book 1) by Andrea Pickens

Author:Andrea Pickens [Pickens, Andrea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2013-04-23T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Peter struggled with the heavy wicker basket, refusing Jane's help even though it knocked him in the shin with every step. "I'm not a baby," he insisted. "And a gentleman always carries a parcel for a lady."

Jane refrained from smiling and wondered where he had picked up that nugget of information.

"Very well," she said. "I think we have picked a glorious day for our outing."

The morning light was a rich gold, playing off the hints of color in the oaks and maples near the stables. The air was getting crisper, hinting at a change of season, but the cloudless sky promised that by noon the day would be deliciously warm. Jane had looked outdoors when she rose and suddenly decided to declare a holiday from the schoolroom. Instead, they would take a long ride to visit the Abbey ruins that lay not more than four miles from Highwood. She had been meaning to take Peter there—it was a good history lesson she assured herself. And one should not waste such a glorious day!

As they reached the stables, Saybrook walked out from among the stalls. He had just returned from an early morning excursion with his steward to inspect a broken millstone. His coat of black superfine was draped over one arm and his cambric shirt was open at the neck, revealing a few curls of dark hair. The breeze had ruffled his locks and they fell rakishly across his forehead. Jane couldn't help but notice the way the light filtered through the thin material of his shirt, outlining the broad shoulders and narrow waist. The shirt was neatly tucked into skintight breeches, which were immaculate even though his Hessians were spattered with mud.

"Uncle Edward, Uncle Edward! We are going on a picnic. Look! Cook has packed this whole basket and I carried it all by myself."

"Well done, imp." Saybrook took the basket in one hand and swung the boy up on his shoulder. He fell in step with Jane. "A splendid day for a ride. Where do you go?"

"To Salston Abbey," she replied.

"Would you like to come, too?" chirped the boy.

Saybrook cocked an eye at Jane. "I haven't been invited."

"Of course you are more than welcome to join us, my lord, if you don't think you would be too bored." Her mood suddenly felt even lighter. "Cook had prepared more than enough food."

"Oh please, sir!" added Peter, who seemed unwilling to unwind his small arms from around Saybrook's neck until he got a satisfactory answer. In consequence, the marquess's collar was twisted and the top few buttons of his shirt had been pulled undone.

"If you leave off strangling me, brat, I shall finish my business here and join you on the way. Hero could use a rousing gallop."

"Hooray!" cried the boy as he slid to the ground, half pulling Saybrook's shirt from his breeches.

Jane couldn't help giggling. "Let us be off, sir, while you are still in one piece."

He returned her grin and raised his eyes in mock apprehension. "Yes, I fear my valet will ring a peal over me, won't he.

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