Page 73 of Kathryn

Gerrit tried to think of something to say but his mind was infuriatingly blank.

After several moments of silence Katheryn saved him the bother by saying, “My sister is excessively fond of riding, and Chatham’s cousin, Andrew Derrick”—she cut him a quick, not so polished look— “breeds hunters and often brings them to Chatham Park for the three of us to ride.” She suddenly chuckled. “Chatham has threatened to submit a bill to Andrew for all the free training.”

“Do you hunt?” he asked.

“Not as much as I would like, but—” She broke off.

“But?” he prodded.

She paused, but then said, “Chatham is generous, but I scarcely wanted to keep a string of hunters at his expense.”

Gerrit thought her impulse did her credit. “I will see you are well mounted when we go to Spenwood.”

“I did not mean to suggest—”

“You are my wife, Kathryn,” he said, once again sounding curt. Gerrit sighed. He needed to do better. “If hunting is something you enjoy then it would be my pleasure to mount you.”

Her delicate throat flexed, and a faint flush spread across her cheeks. “Thank you.”

Bloody hell but conversation was exhausting.

“Is it far to the water?” she asked.

“It takes half an hour.”

“Is that where we are going?”

“I thought today I would show you some of the estate. Specifically, there are a series of paths that will take you in a loop back to Briarly and make for a pleasant ride.”

“I would like that. Do I need to take a groom with me?”

He cut her a glance. “I would prefer it.”

“Even on your land?”

Gerrit frowned. What was she trying to say?

“I would rather ride alone—at least on the estate. I did so at Chatham Park and also at Wych House.”

Gerrit pondered her request. His father had permitted Amelia to ride without a groom. He supposed there was no danger on his own land. At least not until she was with child. He would reconsider the matter at that point.

He turned to find her waiting for him. “You may ride alone provided you exercise care.”

Her smile was blinding. “Thank you, Dulverton. I will be careful.”

He hastily turned away, his heart pounding uncomfortably hard. What on earth was the matter with him today?

“My family’s home is in Hampshire, and we were only half a day from the coast, but we only went one time, when I was very little.”

Gerrit slid a look at her and saw that she was facing forward. Was she expecting a response from him?

“I see,” he said.

It must have been an adequate answer because she went on, “We went to visit with my father’s younger sister, Lady Fitzroy.”

“Er, did you enjoy it?” he asked, genuinely curious.

She turned to him. “I did, very much.”