“A stag? As long as I have a bow and arrow, I would take care of it. Kenneth taught me how to ride and shoot, since my father no longer objects to ladies engaging in such activities.” They looked at one another, each smiling.
“I see. But a bear? Surely a bear frightens you,” He said it in a challenging tone, as if this certainly should scare her.
“Very well. I’d likely have run for my life and climbed the nearest tree if I had ever encountered a bear,” she admitted with a grin.
Leonard nodded in mock seriousness. “A wise choice, indeed.”
“But what of you, are you afraid of no animal at all?” she asked and watched as behind them the sun was beginning it’s track down from up high.
“By no means. I must confess, I was quite terrified of rats.” He said the word rats quietly as if one might jump out and attach itself to him.
Sally raised an eyebrow, suppressing a giggle. “Rats? Really? But squirrels are just elevated tree rats, aren’t they? So, we are essentially afraid of the same thing.”
Leonard chuckled, conceding her point. “Touché, my dear Duchess. I suppose we did have that in common.”
Their banter continued as they strolled along the lakeside path. The squirrel, seemingly unperturbed by the commotion it had caused, continued to observe them from its lofty perch, its fluffy tail twitching when Sally looked over her shoulder.
Despite the initial fright, Sally found herself grateful for the lighthearted exchange and the newfound ease in Leonard’s company. With a shared chuckle, they continued their leisurely walk, the playful chat serving as a welcome distraction from the lingering tension of earlier.
CHAPTER16
Leonard
Leonard proffered his arm to Sally and together, they continued their loop around the lake. They continued an easy chatter, covering safe topics such as their pets, their favorite seasons and foods. They were subjects Leonard knew would not lead to anything serious, and for that he was grateful.
He enjoyed her company, which he knew was dangerous but keeping their conversation light meant he did not have to watch what he said too much. The truth was, Sally was so easy to talk to he worried he might mention something he ought not to do. They’d gotten close when they’d been talking about their parents. He’d had the desire to tell her why he and his mother did not know one another well, or why he didn’t want to talk about his father but he’d known there were things he could not burden her with.
The truth about his father was too dark, too disturbing for Sally to hear. He still remembered Kenneth’s face when he’d told him what he’d discovered… His father, so admired by all, hadn’t been the man everyone thought him to be at all. Everything about him had been faked, his entire life a pile of lies – including his death. If even his best friend took the news hard, how would a tender woman like Sally take it?
“… so lovely, I wish I could paint it but I am not skilled,” Sally said beside him and he looked up to see her motioning her free hand toward the sky.
Painting …she had to be talking about capturing the sky. Leonard chided himself for ignoring her and knew he couldn’t let her suspect he’d not paid attention.
“It is lovely, indeed. You are right. I cannot paint either, though I had a tutor. He deemed me hopeless. The rest of my classes were taken by my cousin instead,” he said and she chuckled.
“Another thing we have in common. Pray, are you any good at dancing?” She looked up at him and he nodded.
“I am, but you ought to know that. We danced together the night we … well, the unfortunate night.”
Sally shuddered. “Ah yes, but the truth is I hardly remember it at all. I was so focused on Lady Millstone and the others looking at us.” She grimaced in the most adorable way. “Did I step on your feet?”
Leonard chuckled. “No, you were a lovely dance partner. Why do you ask? Have you a habit of flattening your dance partners feet?”
She nodded gravely. “I used to be a graceful dancer, but after I sprained my ankle I’ve never been the same. Well, it is lucky we are already married, and dancing together is not expected of us.”
He used his left hand to wipe his forehead in a mock show of relief. “My toes are safe, thank the heavens.”
She boxed him in the arm then, but with a grin on her face and a flood of dangerous affection overcame him. This instantly mixed with anger at himself for having let his guard down -a blend he did not know what to do with. Despite his earlier resolve to keep his distance, he couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of regard for her. She possessed a charm and grace that he found captivating, and there was a part of him that wished he hadn’t made a vow never to love a woman or let her love him. The truth was, if he hadn’t made such a vow, Sally would be just the woman he’d like to keep company with or perhaps more.
He knew he could not grow too fond of Sally, given his aversion to marriage. Yet, on the other hand, the undeniable connection between them was there – and it was growing rapidly.
Suddenly, her pace slowed and she squinted at something in the distance. “Pray, do you see that?” He followed her finger and saw a man walking their way, a donkey at his side. He frowned, tilting his head to the side when he recognized the man.
“That is Mr. Keller, he is one of the tenants. His farm is over yonder, about twenty minutes from here.”
The figure slowed and then, one hand shot up into the sky and he waved, shouting something though the wind and distance swallowed his words.
“Do you suppose he is coming to see you?” Sally asked.
