Page 68 of Memories Made At Midnight

“All we have to do is cross the road a few feet farther along, and we are on private property. Not even your uncle’s men would be stupid enough to try to apprehend us on the Duke of Latham’s land.”

Beatrice wasn’t so certain because she didn’t know what motivated her uncle to begin with.

“Beatrice, would you like to sit in the saddle for a while?”

Cassius’s question took her off guard.

The crooked smile he bestowed upon her gave him an almost bashful, boyish appearance. “It’s only slightly more comfortable than riding behind me.”

Or on his lap?

A little thrill she certainly ought not to have felt, let alone enjoyed, zipped along her veins at the thought.

Again, he considered her needs above his own. However, Beatrice’s primary concern was getting to Hefferwickshire House as quickly as possible and without acting like a moon-eyed ninny along the way.

She’d not risk her friendship with him by having him discover her feelings had grown into something considerably warmer than platonic over the past few days.

Aiming for a practical mien, she adjusted Teddy in her arms and asked, “Which is the fastest way for us to travel?”

The small dog panted, his little pink tongue hanging from his mouth as the temperature rose, even in the trees’ shade. In truth, she considered removing her cloak and using it as additional padding between her and the horse.

Except, with her gown hitched up, that meant exposing her bare calves and part of her thighs. She wasn’t quite daring enough for that.

Rubbing Teddy’s head, Cassius considered her question.

“I’m not an expert on these things.” He brushed a hand over his bristly jaw.

That was another thing she appreciated about him. He didn’t try to be a know-it-all or puff up with self-importance by pretending knowledge or skills he didn’t have.

“In truth, I’ve only ever ridden double with you,” he said.

Beatrice couldn’t prevent the slight slackening of her mouth in surprise.

She’d assumed with as many siblings as Cassius had, and having come from a family where riding was as natural as walking, he’d have experienced riding double many times. It just proved how ignorant she was of not only horseback riding but of his life and family.

“But I’d guess it would be swifter with you behind me again since I’m experienced with holding the reins and you are not.” He gathered Teddy into his arms. “Which means, little chap, it’s back into the sling for you.”

Once he’d tucked Teddy into his pouch, Cassius helped balance Beatrice as she swung a very sore leg over the horse’s broad back.

She barely suppressed a groan. But she vowed not to complain. Regardless, a very long soak in a steaming bath was definitely in order.

Beatrice tried not to notice when Cassius accidentally brushed his arm across her breasts as he slid into the saddle. A jolt of sensation shot to her stomach at the contact, proving what she accepted these past couple of days.

She was attracted to him.

More than attracted, truthfully.

But what woman would not be?

Had it been any other man, she might’ve suspected him of touching her breasts deliberately, but Cassius had only ever been the perfect gentleman toward her.

Which, in point of fact, had become the teensiest bit frustrating.

Twice now, she thought he might kiss her. But each time, he refrained and retreated behind his wall of politeness and impeccable manners.

One kiss wouldn’t turn the world on its axis, wouldn’t stop the tides from changing or the moon from rising. But one kiss would be a treasure she could hide away in her heart, and when loneliness and regret reared their gnarly little heads as they were bound to do, she would have Cassius’s kiss to retrieve from its fusty hiding place and savor what never could have been.

She stared at his raven hair teasing the collar of his jacket.