Chapter Four

Hyde Park, a morning not long after the encounter at Hatchard's, with the previous night's fog still lingering in a few places…

"Good morning, Miss Boothe."

Ashe's voice was steady, refusing to let a note of relief creep in, or reveal how delighted he was that she'd kept their appointment.

"It is indeed, Mr Trease," she smiled. "Just right for a ride, wouldn't you say?"

He glanced at her groom. "Should we be escorted?"

She thought for a moment. "Probably, but if we keep in sight, perhaps James may wait here…"

Her gaze travelled to the quiet young man atop another mount. "I am quite safe with Mr Trease, James. We will be riding straight this way," she pointed with her whip, "so you will be able to see us at all times."

The lad grinned and touched his cap. "Very well, Ma'am. If you need anything, just wave, or call."

"Of course." She turned her horse and moved to Ashe's side. "Shall we?"

Aware of a little mental cheer, Ashe nodded. "We shall."

A sedate walk led to a comfortable trot, and then into a canter, the horses' hooves pacing beside each other with every evidence of pleasure, matched by the riders.

He was pleased to see how well Florinda rode her mare, a smile curving her lips as they made their way down the long swath of green toward a line of trees at the far end.

The air was fresh, the sun started to break through the remnants of last night's fog, and there was a beautiful woman at his side. For this moment at least, Ashe was supremely content.

As they finally slowed to a walk, she turned to him, her eyes alight with what he hoped was joy.

"Oh, that was lovely. I wish…well, I know a good gallop is completely out of the question, but it would have been magnificent, wouldn't it?"

"I couldn't agree more," he grinned. "But since we're riding unescorted, let's not risk adding to our shocking behaviour by giving the horses their heads."

She nodded. "I cannot say I dislike London during the Season, but my goodness, the constraints placed on us females…well it seems a bit ridiculous sometimes." She turned her horse and moved up beside him in preparation for their return.

Ashe couldn't help but agree. "I confess that there are times I'm very happy to be a man." He paused. "And that also seems to sound quite ridiculous, doesn't it?"

She chuckled. "Yes, and no. In the context of our conversation, it makes perfect sense. However, if anyone overheard those words without that context? Yes, I think you'd be on the receiving end of some very odd looks."

That made him laugh aloud. "You have a delightful turn of phrase, Miss Boothe."

"'Tis pleasant to have it appreciated, Mr Trease."

He glanced at her, appreciating the colour in her cheeks, the sparkling eyes, and the curve of her lips as she smiled at him, the distance between them narrowing as their mounts moved a little.

"Call me Ashe?"

She blinked. "All right, Ashe. If you would return the favour and call me Florinda? Not in public, because…well, we've discussed that, haven't we?"

"We have indeed…Florinda."

She smiled and nodded appreciatively, her gaze lingering on his face.

And it was, of course, at that very moment of tempting and delicious awareness, a wandering bee landed on Florinda's horse's nose, scaring the poor thing, and making her buck in terror, unseating her rider and throwing Florinda out of her stirrups, and off her saddle into the air.

Without a second thought, Ashe reached out and caught her, grabbing her hard and pulling her against his chest. He could feel her heart thundering, see the shock in her gaze, and for a moment wondered if she was about to scream.

Fingers clinging fiercely to his shoulders, her breath seemed to catch in her throat as her eyes lowered to his mouth.

With a groan of need, Ashe answered the call of her ripe lips, and pulled her even closer into his arms so he could lean forward and touch them with his own.

Before either of them really understood what was happening, they were locked in a fierce and thrilling kiss. No mere gentle or polite caress, this was more of a feeding frenzy, a need to devour the other.

Florinda's lips parted, and she welcomed him as he delved deep, eager to taste her, learn her, feed on her breaths as they came quickly, moaning as the pleasure of his tongue teased hers.

A shout broke them quickly apart.

"Miss Boothe, are you all right?" Her groom galloped up.

She held on to Ashe, sitting almost sidesaddle, fidgeting now as her position became uncomfortable. "I am well, thanks to Mr Trease's quick actions, James. But can you catch Buttercup? I think she may have been stung by a bee."

"Of course, Miss." The lad glanced uncertainly at Ashe. "You're sure you're all right?"

"Indeed yes. Mr Trease has me in hand. Just find my horse and we'll see if she's injured, or well enough for me to ride home."

"I could wish for more time," murmured Ashe as they watched James head for the trees. "Should I apologise for kissing you?"

Florinda's head turned swiftly toward him. "No. Of course not. Besides, I rather think it was I who kissed you." She raised her chin unapologetically.

"Maybe," he bit back a grin. "But I had the idea first, I'm sure."

"Hmph." She turned away again. "I will say, however, that I found it most pleasant."

"Did you?" He kept his voice steady, amused at her calm revelations, and aware she had no idea there was a little place on her neck where her pulse thundered visibly. "I did too."

He shifted her slightly, knowing that she was probably feeling the pommel of his saddle in uncomfortable places. "I will also add I'd very much like to do it again."

She was silent for a moment, her eyes on her groom as he headed toward her, towing her recalcitrant mount and grinning. "She's fine, Miss, no harm done."

"I must get down," she said to Ashe.

He dismounted, sliding to the ground and holding up his arms, waiting for her to lean forward so that he could lift her down.

She did exactly as he'd expected, but paused as she landed, keeping her hands on his. "I'd like to do it again too," she murmured.

Then turned away, clearing her throat and speaking in a normal tone. "Thank you, Mr Ashe. If not for your prompt actions, I might well have been injured." She allowed James to give her a boost into the saddle with his cupped hands. "I trust we shall ride again soon?"

"I would enjoy that very much, Miss Boothe, and I can only repeat how glad I am that I was able to prevent any injury to your person."

"Of course." She nodded regally. "I must leave you now, however. I'm sure we shall be seeing each other before long."

"Ma'am." He bowed as she smiled and trotted off with her faithful James behind her.

As he watched, her horse tossed its head and glanced back at him, as if to say, "well, I did my best."

Ashe sent a tiny nod of thanks to the creature who had thrown something of inestimable value right into his arms.

*~~*~~*

Although appearing to be coolly collected, despite her equine adventure, on the inside, Florinda's thoughts were in turmoil.

Her first real kiss.

She devoutly hoped he'd not realised that, nor had he had any notion that her entire world had changed when his lips touched hers.

Shocked, she'd learned in that instant that there was so much more to a kiss than she had expected, assuming it would be a quick and simple touch. Suddenly she'd been encompassed by him, his fragrance, his warmth, his solid strength, and the urge to part her lips had been surprising, natural, and inevitable.

She wanted to taste him again, to experience what playwrights had waxed poetic over for centuries, to feel that unique and wonderful joining between a man and a woman, that had provided fodder for songs and poems as well as jests and teasing flirtations.

In the past, Florinda had listened to friends as they giggled and blushed over stolen kisses. It had seemed silly to her, but she'd smiled and nodded where appropriate, vowing that she would never succumb to such absurdities.

And yet here she was, cheeks quite unusually warm, her heart thudding beneath her riding jacket, and her mind whirling. All because a man had kissed her, and done so with passion that had caught her unawares.

The fact that she'd returned that passion? Well, that was a shock from which she wondered if she'd ever recover.

And then, as she turned in to the stables behind the house, she found herself eager to repeat the experience and see if it was as lovely the next time around. Perhaps it would be even better. Perhaps there was more to learn…

Trying to sort it all out, she gave James a passing smile as she dismounted. "I am very grateful for your prompt attention," she said. "I wasn't in any real danger, of course, but one cannot control bees or horses." She patted her mount's head with affection. "I would appreciate it, James, if you didn't mention this little incident to anyone? Lady Boothe does worry, and this was one of those silly things that is completely unavoidable. I'd prefer she remain unaware of it, lest she forbid me to ride again."

"Understood, Miss Boothe." He dipped his head. "I have a mother too."

"In that case, enough said." Florinda turned to the head groom who had arrived to make sure her horse was well cared-for. "Mr Jasper, I commend James to you today. He was an exemplary groom, and I'm delighted to say my ride was enhanced by his presence."

James blushed, and Jasper shot him a look. "Well then, lad. Glad you upheld the honour of our stables."

"He did indeed." Florinda finished peeling off her riding gloves. "Now I must away and change in case there are visitors. Thank you again, James." She smiled at him.

Since he was on the far side of her horse, and looking away from Jasper, he shot her a cheeky wink. "Miss Boothe." He bowed correctly.

She managed not to laugh and whisked herself from the barn, entering the house through the back door and inhaling the lovely scent of pies that emanated from the kitchen.

Her maid awaited her in her room. "Here you are then, Miss Florinda. A nice ride, I hope?" Without waiting for an answer, she continued. "I've your bath ready and your morning dress laid out here, and Lady Boothe wants you to make sure every hair is in place, because there will be visitors coming by today, she said."

Florinda's spirits fell. "Oh." She blinked and sighed as she unfastened her jacket. "Let me guess. Mama has found some poor man and persuaded him to visit and take a look at me as a potential wife."

"I dunno as that's the case, Miss, but…" the girl tilted her head to one side. "Don't you want to marry? Find a nice husband to take care of you?"

Shedding the rest of her clothes, Florinda stepped into the bath and sat in the warm water, resting her head on her knees. "I don't know, Nancy. I suppose there might be some advantages…" Like warm lips, strong shoulders, and kisses that sent one's mind spinning… "But there's also the chance that a husband would be very…stifling. Someone who would insist on having his way in everything." She shuddered. "I couldn't stand that."

"Well, now, Miss, I'm sure Lady Boothe wouldn't present someone unsuitable, or a gentleman you might take into dislike?"

Thinking about her mother, she idly soaped her legs. "I'm not sure Mama worries about the things that are important to me, you see. She is more concerned with matters of financial security and status. Whether the man reads Shakespeare or not is irrelevant to her."

Nancy thought about that. "I suppose a gentleman who reads a lot wouldn't be a bad match," she mused. "At least that would keep him quiet."

Florinda chuckled. "You have a good point there, and he wouldn't be bothered to worry about my gowns or what styles were fashionable…"

"Oh, which reminds me. Your new walking dress has arrived. It's ever so pretty."

Florinda glanced around. "It is?"

"I hung it there…" The maid moved to a cupboard and opened the door, revealing an attractively styled gown. "Isn't that nice?"

Frowning, Florinda stared at it. "It looks familiar," she said, more to herself than her maid.

"Well, this is the most popular style this season, they say," Nancy shrugged. "So you're bound to have seen something like it on someone, I suppose."

"Hmm."

Lost for an answer to that, Nancy simply held out the towel for Florinda. "I'm sure it'll come to you if it's important. And it'll be nice for you to wear tomorrow morning? Your Mama mentioned that you're going to be spending some time with Sir Reginald Barking. I'll wager he's going to be the nicest, handsomest, and most pleasant gentleman in London." Her optimism almost glowed around her as she helped Florinda dry off and dress.

The young lady herself, however, was far from excited, and barely managed to hold back a groan.

"Nancy, I hate to disillusion you, but if it's the man I'm thinking of, then he is one of the biggest asses in town this Season."

Shocked, the maid stared open-mouthed at Florinda. "Good heavens, Miss. He can't be that bad, can he?"

Her spirits down around the slippers she was putting on, Florinda sighed gustily. "Oh yes, Nancy. He is that bad. And more."