She paused while Kenneth helped Hazel in and then turned to him. “I had a very enjoyable evening,” she said.
He raised an eyebrow. “Did you?” He rubbed his chin.
“Yes, do you doubt me?” she asked equally playfully.
“You hate the opera, you were made to eat something you despise, and now you have to attend a dinner with my mother. I dare say that it does not sound like an enjoyable night.”
“It was no worse than the dinner at my home,” she countered. “Besides, I rather liked missing half of the opera. That is a win, in my book.”
Kenneth barked out a laugh, which drew attention once more. He slapped a hand over his mouth and shook his head. “I beg your pardon.”
Joanna grinned. “It seems we are both prone to inappropriate bouts of laughter.”
“We are,” he agreed.
For a moment, they stood in silence, and Joanna felt the rest of the world melt away. Somehow, even though he was right—the evening had been challenging—she didn’t want it to end.
If they could have such delightful fun at an event as boring as the opera, what sort of shenanigans could they get into if left to something they both enjoyed?
Alas, the carriages ahead of hers moved, and soon, her coachman called for her to get in.
“I must go,” she said reluctantly.
Kenneth smiled ruefully. “I know.”
He helped her into the carriage. The sensation of his hand on hers once more sent her heart aflutter.
Once she was seated, he leaned in. “I shall send you a note with some topics my mother enjoys, so you can prepare.”
She nodded. “I shall see you on Saturday, and I shall be certain to study up on those topics.”
Then, Kenneth closed the carriage door, and she settled into the plush interior, her mind still processing the flurry of emotions.
As the carriage pulled away, the touch of his hand lingered in her thoughts, and she found herself contemplating the unexpected sense of safety his proximity had offered.
She sighed, sitting back with a smile on her face, aware that Hazel was watching her carefully, no doubt taking notes so she could report back to her mother.
Joanna found she did not care. At this moment, all she wanted to do was close her eyes and bask in the warmth that this evening had filled her with.
CHAPTER 12
The clip-clop of horses’ hooves echoed in the quiet countryside as Kenneth and Leonard rode toward Kenneth’s home. Since their boyhood days, the two had hunted together once a week. Even when it wasn’t hunting season, they still rode out together.
Sometimes, they would hunt in quiet solitude. Other times, their chatter would fill the air. There were even days, such as today, where they would forgo hunting altogether and instead sit in one of the huts while drinking ale and talking.
Kenneth had felt the burning need to tell his best friend everything that had happened over the past few days. Though as they had spoken, he’d found that he couldn’t quite bring himself to admit to Leonard that he had genuine affections for Joanna.
Or was it more?
No, I must not allow myself to even think this. We have an agreement. No falling in love.
“… a good glass of ale,” Leonard said, drawing him out of his thoughts.
Kenneth turned to him and frowned. “Ale?” he asked, confused.
Leonard scoffed. “You were not listening to anything I was saying, were you? Off woolgathering? Thinking about a certain lady, perhaps?”
Kenneth shook his head, a strand of hair falling into his eyes. “No, I was not,” he lied.