Chapter 11 #2
He lifted a brow. “Touché, my lady. My pride demands that you alter your statement, but I cannot argue with the truth.”
Together they shared a laugh and moved toward the next target.
Across the lawn, Sariah frowned. She wondered what Reed and Maggie were discussing that made them look so content together. She was thrilled that they were getting along, but perhaps she would have liked it better had they not been quite so comfortable.
“Miss Kent?”
She snapped back to the present and looked at Lord Michael, who was gesturing to the forgotten bow in her hand.
“It is your turn.”
“Yes. Of course,” she muttered. She looked toward the target down the field and saw that her partner had nearly hit it dead center. “Well done, my lord.”
“Thank you. Although you should have known me long enough to ascertain that I always hit the target I aim for.”
Sariah wanted to sigh. She did not miss the double entendre.
She had been privy to them all morning and she was growing weary of his attempt to be witty.
It was true she had once fancied herself in love with him and had looked forward to his visits with her brother when she had been younger, but the hard truth now was that he just wasn’t Reed.
A man like her betrothed was impossible to duplicate.
Rather than reply, she took her place and closed one eye to get a better perspective before she released her arrow.
It sailed across the distance with expert precision and overtook Lord Michael’s attempts.
She wanted to crow her achievements, but she knew she was expected to cater to a man’s fragile pride.
Her mother had drilled that into her head from an early age.
She decided that was one of the reasons she fought so hard for equality in England.
But rather than chafe at ignoring her skill, she muttered, “The wind is very unpredictable today.”
Lord Michael laughed. “Come now, Miss Kent, you can say what you truly mean. I know you have always been quite able with a bow and arrow. You did grow up in the country and preferred the outdoors to watercolors.”
She reluctantly felt her lips twitch. “I daresay you are quite right, Lord Michael. Although my mother has forbidden me to climb trees any longer.”
He sobered slightly. “I suppose I never told you that your bold demeanor is what always intrigued me. It was why I visited Foxworth House so often. My friendship with Richard was not the only reason.”
Sariah glanced at him in surprise. “I never knew you saw me as anything more than a bothersome younger sister who made a fuss if she did not get to join you both.”
His dark eyes warmed slightly. “Then I failed miserably at my attempts to gain your regard. For that, I suppose I shall forever regret my actions since you are now promised to another.”
She didn’t know what to say. She had not expected him to be so candid and forthcoming with his emotions.
This was not the conversation she wanted to have.
It confused her, especially when she had decided that she would happily give herself fully to Reed.
It would have been much more preferable if Michael had continued his attempt at humor, rather than reveal his innermost longings.
His words were causing a slight hesitation, a whisper of doubt to coil within her that she did not like at all.
Instead of acknowledging anything further, she decided it would be best to change the subject. “We should head for the next—”
“Sariah, wait.”
She paused. She told herself to keep walking, but the soft, intimate way he said her name made her stop. Perhaps it was some sense of obligation since they had known each other for such a long time, but something deep down told her it was more than that.
He removed his gloves and then reached out and took her palm and grasped it between both of his hands.
“Forgive me for being so bold, but I was hoping that I might be granted a chance to redeem my past failings and court you now. I know that you are promised to Mr. Carrington, but can he really make you happy? Can he give you the things you need, that you deserve? I am willing to give you my protection, and someday, something more, if you are willing.”
Sariah froze. She had known that this moment was going to arise eventually. He was too attentive not to make an overture at some point. She just didn’t think it would be quite that soon.
While she was momentarily stunned that he was doing it in the midst of a crowded lawn full of people, it was not any more shocking than the fact that the touch of his hand did not stir her soul like Reed did.
It was a revelation that she should have known from the beginning.
A childish crush could never be confused with the adoration she felt for Reed, the all-consuming passion that coursed through her veins when he was near.
She slowly disentangled herself from Michael’s grasp. “My lord, trust me when I say I am humbled and honored by your proposal, but please understand that if my heart were not already engaged to Mr. Carrington, I would gratefully accept your suit. Unfortunately, that is not the case.”
His expression fell slightly, but he managed to drum up a slight, consoling smile. “Then you truly do love him?”
Sariah’s heart began to race at the very thought.
“Yes. I do.” Saying the words aloud made her yearn to rush across the green expanse and throw herself into Reed’s waiting arms, but she refrained from doing so.
There would be plenty of time to show him how much he meant to her tonight.
Once the merriment was over, they would engage in their own brand of entertainment.
“Then I wish you every happiness together.”
As he started to walk away, Sariah had a thought. “Lord Michael, if it is not terribly inappropriate of me, might I offer an alternative?”