Chapter Seven

T he next morning, Augusta stood in the foyer surprisingly early, ready to meet Lord Boxted. She'd breakfasted first thing, then gone back upstairs to change her gown once more. Last evening, she'd originally planned to wear a heavy silk of deep blue with lighter-blue piping, but upon reflection, feared it might not be warm enough. So this morning, in consultation with her maid, she'd dressed in a buff-colored gown of merino wool. After breakfast, however she'd come to the conclusion the color did not suit her at all, and hurried back upstairs, calling for Turner as she rushed toward her chamber. The deep mauve gown of terry velvet, covered with her sable-trimmed carriage jacket and matching fur muff, would have to do as there was no time to change yet again. But Augusta was happy with this choice. The colors harmonized and the additional exercise had brought bright spots of color to her cheeks. She was quite ready to meet Lord Boxted.

"Good morning, my lady." His voice behind her sent a pleasant thrill of anticipation down her back.

She turned and smiled at him. "Good morning, my lord." Dressed for the cold as well, in a gray overcoat and tall beaver hat, Lord Boxted looked incredibly handsome. "It looks to be an excellent morning for a sleigh ride. Tate here," he nodded toward the Kastners' butler standing beside the door, "says the weather is crisp and cold, but no sign of another snow."

"Then we are most fortunate." Lord Boxted hurried down the steps and offered her his arm. "Do you know the neighborhood at all?"

"No. My parents are friends of the Kastners, but this is the first time I've been here in Kent." She'd been happy to add another county to her meager list of travels.

"Then I think you will be in for a treat." He handed her into the two-person sleigh, black with gold trim and red upholstery, as the groom held the horse's head. "I'll take you around part of the estate, then head toward Ashford, and come back around by the river."

"It sounds lovely." She tucked her gown in snugly as he walked around and climbed in the other side. Once he took his seat, Augusta realized just how tiny this sleigh was. Lord Boxted was pressed right up against her side. A quickened pulse began to beat in her veins.

Lord Boxted gathered the reins, nodded to the groom who released the tall bay gelding, then clicked to the horse who started forward at a walk. Another click and the animal moved into a fast-paced trot, taking them down the driveway handily. The stark trees and snowy landscape sped by, silently save for the merry jingling of the horse's bells. Although Augusta had been on sleigh rides before, this one had the added air of adventure to it. Possibly because of the gentleman driving the sleigh.

"Do you drive, my lady?" he asked when they turned onto the smooth as glass road.

"No, I never learned. I do ride, of course, but for some reason I never drove even a pony cart." Odd that she hadn't ever thought of doing such a thing. She believed ladies often did drive themselves.

"I would be happy to teach you." He glanced over at her. "Not today, of course. You should learn in a cart or carriage on dry land. But perhaps this summer," he stared hard at her, "if you are in London again."

He meant if she wasn't married by then.

"Thank you, my lord." Augusta nodded, suddenly wishing Mr. Burton had already arrived and her wait was over. If he didn't propose… She'd never allowed herself to believe he wouldn't, or that she wouldn't find a way to make him propose to her. A surreptitious glance at Lord Boxted showed his face in magnificent profile in the morning sun. The smooth brow, straight nose, and strong jaw proclaimed him every bit as dashing as Mr. Burton. Even without a mustache.

She'd admit she'd missed the companionship they'd had during the Season more than a little. Even though he'd been beyond annoying with his incessant proposals during the fall. Still, she enjoyed his company immensely—as long as he wasn't asking to marry her. No matter how much she admired him, she couldn't allow herself to marry a gentleman who would expect her to lead the unexceptional life her mother had. Augusta wanted more than that and not even the fast beating of her heart when she carried out a spirited banter with Lord Boxted was going to change that.

"We are rounding the edge of the Kastners' estate here. That stone wall demarks his property." Lord Boxted nodded to an ancient, crumbling wall half buried in the snow.

"You know the area quite well, my lord."

"I spent some holidays here with Fritz when we were in university together." He laughed. "He liked showing off his property and the surroundings and I paid attention."

"Then whose estate borders his?" She sat up, eager to challenge him.

"Do you mean to test my faculties, my lady?" He shook his head then turned to stare at her. "A bold move when I could simply invent an answer and you would not know if I am correct or not."

"But I can ask Mr. Kastner when we return, my lord." She raised her chin. "And then I would know if you were false or not."

"Once again, you are too clever for me, Lady Augusta." He chuckled and returned his gaze to the road. "And the answer to your question is the MacGregor family. They have the property next to Fritz. If you look through that cluster of trees," he pointed to the right, "you should be able to see the manor house."

Augusta peered through the stand of black trees and caught a glimpse of a substantial residence. "I can see it. It's quite impressive."

They rounded a curve in the road and were suddenly flanked on both sides by massive forests, spindly trees standing like tall, dark soldiers. In the distance, a dog began to bark.

"This road will take us into the market town of Ashford. If the shops are open, we could stop if you are in need of anything." He looked over inquiringly.

"A lady is forever in need of ribbons or gloves, my lord. You should know that." Augusta's ears perked up. "Do you hear something?"

"Just the dog barking. Why?" He cocked his head. "What do you hear?"

"Thunder." Even as she said it Augusta thought herself a fool. She looked up into a clear blue cloudless sky. Still, there was a rumbling noise coming from somewhere. "You don't hear that?"

He paused, listening, and frowned. "There is something. If that infernal hound would stop baying—"

With a shocking suddenness, the thunderous pounding became deafening as a huge stag burst out of the woods to their right, not ten feet in front of them, hotly pursued by the baying dog.

The startled horse jibbed and reared, neighing as his hooves pawed at the air.

Augusta couldn't repress a scream as the sleigh slid sideways, almost landing them in a ditch.

The stag continued into the forest on the opposite side of the road, the dog hotly on its heels as the horse's hooves came down on the icy road with a huge thump. It took off at a gallop, the sleigh skidding wildly across the road.

Heart in her throat, Augusta pushed her muff up her arm and gripped the side of the sleigh for dear life as they raced down the frozen road. Lord Boxted's arms were taut, his fingers tugging on the reins steadily in an effort to pull the horse back down, but the animal was too spooked to obey any command. They dashed down the country road, the landscape rushing by in a dizzying blur. Augusta kept her gaze trained on Lord Boxted, praying he could bring them to a safe stop.

With a calmness Augusta would never have believed, he braced his feet against the footboard of the sleigh and stood up. His tall black hat flew off his head, but he didn't seem to notice as he concentrated on bringing all his weight and strength to bear on the reins. His death-grip on the leather ribbons never slackened, giving Augusta hope that he could gain control of the animal.

The road, however, curved suddenly as the terrain rose into steep banks. The crazed horse still refused to slow and Augusta braced herself for disaster. They took the turn at an incredible speed, the runners of the sleigh veering uncontrollably as they slammed into the left-hand bank and bounced back onto the road. The jolt threw Lord Boxted into her, but he righted himself immediately, pulling violently on the reins and shouting, "Whoa!"

Miraculously, either his shout or the fearsome tug seemed to affect the horse. Bit by bit the animal slowed until at last they came to a complete stop in the middle of the snowy road.

Lord Boxted plopped back down into the seat beside her, staring straight ahead and puffing as though he'd run every step alongside the horse.

Heart hammering in her chest, Augusta sat panting also, looking around as though she'd never seen the world before. Gulping in deep breaths of the cold air, she slowly pried her hands from the side of the sleigh. Even then they shook uncontrollably, and she pulled her muff down over them so Lord Boxted couldn't see. Dazed, she turned toward him and in a shaky voice said, "Thank you, my lord."

Slowly, he turned toward her, his face pale, his eyes almost black. He stared at her for half a moment, then leaned forward, grasped her face, and kissed her.

Already stunned, Augusta could scarcely register the shock. Lord Boxted was actually kissing her! What on earth did he think he was doing?

Whatever it was, he was doing it very, very well. His lips on hers were firm, commanding, absolutely giving no quarter. To her astonishment, she reveled in his complete mastery over her. He pressed harder against her lips, his tongue emerging to seek entry. Augusta didn't exactly understand that request, but she knew the answer he sought. Unable to resist, she opened her mouth and he slid his tongue inside.

Compared to the shocks of the past quarter hour, his move scarcely raised an eyebrow. Instead, she slid her arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer to her. Then she gave herself over to him fully, delighting as he plundered here and there, drinking deeply of these new sensations, of sharing this very intimate moment with the gentleman she realized she no longer wished to refuse.

That thought acted like a snowball splattering in her face. She gasped and pulled back, staring at Lord Boxted as though she'd never seen him before. Had he changed or had she? In an effort to regain control of herself and keep him at arm's length until she could sort out this plethora of new feelings, she said the first thing that came into her head. "Are you trying to compromise me, my lord?"

Lord Boxted blew out a breath, ran his hand through his windblown hair, and pursed his lips. "If I'd wanted to do that, Lady Augusta, I'd have kissed you somewhere where there were witnesses." He looked pointedly around the silent road. "I do not think the horse is going to talk."

Augusta fought to keep from laughing and settled for a choked "Humm."

"Do not fear. Our secret is safe with me." Once more he ran his hand through his hair. "I seem to have lost my hat."

"It blew off when you stood up to try to control the horse." She looked at the road behind them, but there was nothing but snow. "Should we go back and find it?"

Shaking his head, he gathered the reins. "Not this minute. It will be impossible to turn the sleigh around on this narrow track. Best to stick to the plan and continue into Ashford. We can turn around there easily, and then head back to the Kastners'. If we are lucky, we may retrieve my hat on the way back." He clicked to the horse who immediately began a sedate trot. "I think that will be enough excitement for one day, don't you?"

"For the rest of the month, my lord. Or the rest of the year." Augusta wanted to return to the house so she could sit before the fire in her chamber with a hot cup of tea and think about everything that had transpired today. "Where did you learn to handle horses like that? Your driving skills are certainly impressive."

"I've been riding since the age of three when I demanded to be put on a pony." Lord Boxted chuckled. "When I was eight, I graduated to a pony cart and I've been driving ever since."

"Have you ever had a horse bolt like that before?" If he hadn't had any experience, then he'd done an extraordinary job just now.

"I've had a saddle horse bolt and brought him under control, but never in a sleigh or even a carriage." Lord Boxted slowed the horse down to a walk as they came to the main thoroughfare of the town. "I'd say it's easier to control your horse from his back, because you are closer to the animal and have more direct contact. But that may be the wisdom of the years since that incident occurred speaking."

"Whatever it is, I must say thank you again for saving me. Us." She stared straight ahead as they made a circle around the town fountain and headed back out the road they had come in on. After today's demonstration of his masculine prowess, she had to admit she might have been mistaken about Lord Boxted. Perhaps he did measure up to Mr. Burton's mark.

"I am happy to have been of service, my lady." He said nothing else until they had left Ashford and were headed back toward the Kastners' estate. Once they were flying down the snowy road again, Lord Boxted glanced at her. "I wanted to say that I'm sorry about…the other thing as well, my lady."

"The other thing?" She knew full well what he was referring to, but she had to pretend ignorance for decency's sake.

"The kiss, my lady. I beg your pardon for taking advantage of the moment."

"The moment after you saved my life?" Was he sorry that he'd done it, or was he merely being polite? Because to judge by that kiss—and admittedly she had nothing else to compare it to—she had to think he was now being polite when in actuality he hadn't been sorry at all. She hoped he hadn't been sorry. She certainly wasn't.

"Yes, well, gentlemen can become…worked up after a fight or after a sporting contest or after saving a fair heroine from certain death." He grinned when he said it, but his eyes were serious. "I didn't want you to take it as a mark of disrespect. I have the utmost respect for you, Lady Augusta."

Respect was all well and good, however that kiss had left her wanting more from Lord Boxted. Perhaps ladies got worked up as well after nearly being killed. Her pulse had yet to return to a normal beat and if Lord Boxted kissed her like that again, well…she might very well kiss him back. "I didn't take it as disrespect, my lord." Far from it. "I suppose I thought of it as a celebration of…" She slid her gaze away from him, suddenly shy.

"Of what?"

She wrung her hands within her muff, not knowing what to say. "Of triumph."

"I suppose that is true."

She jerked her head toward him to find him grinning.

"Considering last evening I wasn't certain you'd ever speak to me again, I'd say today has been quite the triumph." He continued to grin, though he kept his eyes on the road. "And that triumph has made me bold once more."

Augusta's heart, which had almost quieted, took off racing like the startled horse. Dear lord, he was going to do it again. He was going to propose to her even though he'd expressly promised he would not. She drew herself up, summoning her indignation in order to upbraid him for breaking his promise, when the realization struck her as though she'd run full tilt into a stone wall. She wanted him to propose to her again. Because she wished to accept him.

Even though she'd not heard from Mr. Burton, the man had had plenty of chances, in the various letters he'd written to her, to make an offer and never had. And while she would give anything to live the life of an explorer's wife, other gentlemen possessed those same adventurous qualities. Lord Boxted possessed them, she'd wager her fortune on it. And although the rest of her life might not consist of jungle treks or journeys to India, she could believe that life with Lord Boxted would not be dull.

Summoning every shred of poise she still possessed, she looked at Lord Boxted and smiled innocently. "How so, my lord?"

"Well, I hope you will consider the question I wish to ask you in the spirit of close friendship that I believe we now possess."

"Yes?" Augusta held her breath.

"Will you agree to play another game of chess with me this evening?"

Having expected a very different question, this one took her by complete surprise. Augusta sat with her mouth slightly ajar trying to form an answer to his request. He wanted to play chess with her?

Augusta huffed out a breath but caught herself before saying something she would certainly regret. "Why yes, Lord Boxted. If there is no entertainment scheduled for the guests, I would be happy to meet you at the chessboard."

"Splendid." He smiled broadly. "It has been much too long since we played. I always relish a worthy adversary."

"As do I, my lord." She would endeavor to beat the gentleman in an even swifter manner than she had the first time they played.

"I say." He slowed the sleigh. "I believe that's my hat." The horse stopped and Lord Boxted thrust the reins into her hands. "Keep tension on them while I retrieve it."

Lips puckered, Augusta held the reins carefully as Lord Boxted waded through the drifts to grab the tall beaver, covered in snow.

The hat Augusta was determined to make him eat during the chess match tonight.