Deborah nodded meekly. “The pain is already beginning to subside. The herbs contain a natural remedy for pains and are swift in their action.”
“I had no idea that you possessed such great knowledge of herbs,” the Duke remarked, staring at her even though she refused to meet his gaze.
“There is much more to me than meets the eye, Your Grace.” She nodded firmly.
The Duke watched her with admiration gleaming in his eyes. “As I am finding out.”
The two locked gazes, and his eyes dipped down to her lips for just a fraction of a second. She wondered if he thought of the kiss that they had shared, as that is where her mind went to.
“Let us get going now,” Deborah said abruptly, ending the sweet moment that had built up between them. “We must continue the hunt!” she added loudly.
But her train of thought was cut short by a gallop of horses behind her. The both of them turned around to see three figures approaching. It was the other hunting party, and they all had gleeful expressions on their faces.
“Well, well, well.” Nicholas was the first to speak, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Tired from the hunt already? I suppose I cannot blame you for wanting to take a rest. It is a tough sport, after all.”
Deborah got to her feet at once. “This is our territory. What business do you have here? Did we not decide that we will hunt on separate grounds?”
“Indeed, we did.” Nicholas continued to smirk. “But I fear those rules no longer apply since—”
His words were interrupted by Peter, who got off his horse and presented the body of the boar.
“The hunt is over,” he announced. “Our team was the first to catch the boar.”
Deborah and the Duke exchanged a look of annoyance. She felt the heat rise in her cheeks, as she finally had to come to terms with her defeat. It felt even worse than the gash on her arm.
“Fair play,” the Duke finally commented. “Today, you were the better team."
“Let us go back and celebrate!” Lord Jonathan boomed.
CHAPTERTEN
The fading sunlight cast a soft golden glow over the landscape as the hunting party made their way back to the estate. Peter, Henry, and Lord Jonathan led the way on their steeds, while Nicholas trotted behind with Deborah in tow.
With slumped shoulders and disappointment written all over her delicate features, Deborah had been quiet for most of the journey back to the estate.
“Cheer up, little sister.” Nicholas trotted beside her. “You have beaten us at a hunt many times. You should not be so down about losing.”
Deborah glared at him. “You should know that I almost caught the boar. Had I not found a branch in my path, I would have been triumphant.”
Nicholas chuckled, amused by his sister’s unwavering determination.
“I believe you. The wounds on your arm are a testament to your efforts,” he said.
Deborah looked at him with suspicion. He was being uncharacteristically kind. Usually, he would waste no opportunity to tease her.
“Did you get bit whilst chasing the boar?” Deborah asked, still observing her brother carefully.
“You underestimate me,” Nicholas replied. “Seeing you hurt like that softened my heart, and I am your older brother, after all.”
A small smile tugged at Deborah’s lips. The two were experiencing a rare moment of sibling camaraderie.
“You must have been bit,” Deborah replied in jest. “I am sure of it.”
“Believe what you want.” Nicholas shrugged.
“I must say, I did not expect that we would have split the way that we did,” Deborah admitted, her gaze flitting over to the Duke for a moment. He was riding his horse, engaged in lively conversation with the two gentlemen beside him.
“Oh, I am sure you must have enjoyed the split very much,” Nicholas teased yet again, his eyes shining. “After all, when we found the two of you, you seemed to be engaged in a deep conversation.”
