gentle mare if you please.”
He was surprised to hear Emma’s voice floating out of the stables. He hadn’t taken her for a lady who enjoyed riding. “Give her Belle, lad. She’s a sweet disposition.”
Emma turned at the sound of his voice, and her shoulders sagged. “Thank you, Mr. Kingsley,” she said grudgingly.
“May I accompany you, Miss Drake?” Why the bloody hell had he asked her that? He needed to be alone, not with the woman who constantly occupied his thoughts.
“I doubt you would prefer to go at my slow speed, Mr. Kingsley. I have never been a good rider. We moved to town when I was eleven. I didn’t have much chance to ride after that.”
“Which means you need a more experienced rider to accompany you.” Simon almost swore. That was not what he was supposed to say. He should have thanked her for her consideration and rode off as fast he could.
She shrugged. “You might be right.”
The stable lads brought out his horse and the chestnut Belle. Lucifer nuzzled Simon’s hand, looking for a carrot. “Later, Lucifer.”
Emma laughed in a soft tone that raised gooseflesh on his arms. “You named your horse after Satan?”
Simon took the gelding’s reins. “Look at this beauty. All black and owned by the King of Hell. What else could I name him?”
Belle nuzzled up to Emma’s cheek. “Nothing comes to mind. Now, this little mare is a sweet thing.”
“Come along, Miss Drake, before it decides to rain on us.”
Simon waited for her to arrange herself on the saddle before giving Lucifer a light touch to walk. “There’s a beautiful pond in a clearing about a mile up. Do you think you can manage?”
“Yes.”
They rode at a much slower pace than Simon would typically prefer, but he didn’t dare increase their speed. Emma did not seem comfortable with Belle yet. And for once, he didn’t mind. He hoped he wasn’t becoming a gentleman. That would never do as the owner of a gaming hell.
“It’s warmer than I expected,” Emma commented as if to make conversation when none was needed.
“It is rather nice. If only the sun would come out.”
“Perhaps tomorrow.”
When they finally found the pond, a streak of sunshine peaked out of the clouds, glistening on the water. Simon dismounted and then moved to help Emma down. As he gripped her waist, his heart pounded. When he brought her off the horse, her face was only inches from his. So close, he might have kissed her, save the look of distress in her eyes as if she expected him to do such a thing.
As soon as she was on two feet, she moved away from him. “This is beautiful. I wish I had brought my sketch pad with me.”
“This would be lovely but done in watercolors, not charcoal.”
She walked closer to the edge of the water. “I suppose. Sometimes, seeing a sketch will leave more to the imagination of the audience, which can be even more beautiful.”
He tied the horses to a branch. “I suppose.”
He watched her stroll near the pond and then loosen her bonnet, exposing her golden curls. The sunlight glittered on her hair, creating a halo effect, reminding Simon of just how angelic and innocent Emma was. They shouldn’t linger, or devilish thoughts would make him imagine kissing her, trailing his lips down her long neck until he reached the full curves of her breasts. He sat down on the thick grass and stared at her.
“Aren’t you coming?” Emma said to him.
His shaft thickened. Such an innocent. She had no idea what she was even saying to him. There was no way he could manage standing up right now. “No, you go on.”
By the time she walked the perimeter of the pond, he had his unruly cock back under control. She sat next to him and released sigh a long sigh.
“You ride better than you give yourself credit,” he commented.
“Thank you. I’m sorely out of practice.”
“Any time you wish to ride, let me know, and I will attend you.”
She smiled over at him nervously. “I doubt my mother would believe you to be a proper escort, sir.”
“No, I’m certain your mother would find me the worst possible companion.” He slid a glance at her. “Tell me, why did you come to Hell that night?”
She stared out at the water with a hint of a smile. “I wanted to.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes, isn’t that enough? Men get to do whatever they like. Why shouldn’t ladies have the same opportunities?”
“Because ladies can find themselves amongst dangerous