Abandoned to the Prodigal - Mary Lancaster Page 0,47

to look at the estate books?”

The old man’s jaw dropped. Then he rallied. “Checking up on the inheritance I won’t leave you?” he snarled.

“You’re not dying, Grandfather,” Dan said wryly. “Not yet. I want to see what there is, to see where and by how much it can be better.”

“Why?”

Dan shrugged. “Got nothing better to do,” he said honestly. “And besides, it’s actually interesting. I like this place. You have good people.”

His grandfather goggled at him, and he wondered what the devil he had said wrong. Then the old man let out a bark of laughter. “Very well. Tell Patrick to show you what you like. When you’ve looked, talk to me again. Now go away so I can enjoy my dinner in peace.”

*

The next morning dawned a little cloudy but fair. Dan and Gun stepped into the fresh air and loped together toward Myerly hamlet. The people there had got used to seeing them over the last week and now generally waved or exchanged greetings with him. Some would even make a fuss of Gun, although the tavern cat kept a safe distance. It was too early for most people to be about, so he skirted the hamlet and paused.

For days, even in the pouring rain, this was where he had cut across the fields to the river and crossed the bridge to Hornby. To Juliet. He wondered if she would come, despite their discovery. If she would be waiting for him among the trees, reading, painting and ready to greet him with the smile that made his heart turn over.

He could just go and see. He would hate to disappoint her.

But this wasn’t his usual type of flirtation. For one thing, she didn’t flirt. They were friends, and for the second time, he had endangered that relationship by being unable to resist kissing her. Worse, they had almost been seen, which had brought home to him the seriousness of their clandestine meetings. There was no need for them if he could call at the house.

It won’t be the same.

His mouth twisted into a sad smile, and he turned away from Hornby.

The instant he moved, a loud crack filled the air, startling him out of his reverie. Gun immediately went off like the rifle shot he was named for, barking and bolting straight ahead. Then, when he could find nothing to chase, he ran in circles, as though searching.

Eventually, the dog trotted unhappily back to Dan, sniffing the air with a look of disapproval.

Dan didn’t blame him. Even he could smell the gunpowder. Someone was up early shooting foxes or rabbits. Or poaching, perhaps. Whatever the victim, the shot made Dan feel oddly exposed.

*

Juliet woke at dawn as she had done for most of the last week. Her heart felt stupidly heavy that she had no need to rise to keep her assignation.

I could just go and see if he is there…

And if Kitty is watching me again? If she tells Papa? For my own good, of course…

Determinedly, she closed her eyes. Dan’s laughing face seemed to dance across her vision. And then came closer, his eyes warm and serious. She remembered his lips on hers, the novel sensations of deep, passionate kisses and heat spread through her belly. Her whole body tingled.

Almost with surprise, she realized she liked everything about Dan, from the way he talked to the way he moved. From his casual kindness to his unexpected passions for matters like farming. His care for his mother, the reluctant affection she sensed for his grandfather, and his growing interest in the Myerly people. Dan was a good man.

And no one had ever kissed her as he did.

Juliet had always been curious. In her first Season, she had allowed a fervent suitor to steal a kiss, which had so utterly underwhelmed her, she had immediately lost interest in him. Jeremy was more a man of devoted speeches and gifts, which she had mistaken for respectful love. And she had been comfortable with him, had looked forward to learning about physical love with him when they were married.

Dear God, what an escape! From the shallowness of his affections—and hers, if she was honest, for what she had imagined to be love had died instantly that last morning at Alford House when she had asked for his trust and been offered twenty pounds. But also, it had clearly been an escape from future boredom. Jeremy was an excellent partner for dinner or dancing, a welcome guest to one’s box at