He slowed as he approached her and dismounted. “Good morning!”
“My, don’t you look rested, Lieutenant Norris.”
“Aye. I feel more rested than I have in weeks.” He gazed out over the vast fields where Tillie was loping back toward them. “I see your large friend wants to ascertain your safety.”
Stella laughed, enjoying these few moments with James. “Yes, I think she does. She would know Robert, but you are still a stranger to her.”
James stepped closer. “I would rather not be a stranger, Lady Stella.”
Stella turned away, biting down on her lower lip. She needed to keep things light and amicable, just as he, no doubt, intended. “Tillie likes her run in the morning.”
“And you like your walk?” he fell into step behind her, leading his horse.
“Yes.” Drat. She sounded breathless, and that would never do. “But I always wished I could fly like the wind the way Tillie does.”
“Do you ever ride, Lady Stella?”
She looked at him then, to determine whether or not he was jesting. But he looked completely serious. A few wisps of his golden hair brushed across his forehead and Stella wished she had the right to sweep them back with her fingers. She faced forward and swallowed. “No, Lieutenant. I… never learned.”
She saw understanding dawn in his eyes. “Then you shall ride with me this morning.”
Her step faltered, but he steadied her. “What? I—”
“You shall ride with me. Just back to the house. Or… Or anywhere you please.”
* * *
If Stella had appeared the least bit frightened, James would not have pursued it. But she seemed more surprised than anything, and perhaps a bit curious.
“Allow me to lift you, Stella.” Using her Christian name felt absurdly intimate, considering that was how he’d addressed her during his youthful visits. But things had changed. He was a battle-tested man, and she was a woman. A lovely, intelligent, engaging woman who piqued his interest in a way few had done before.
Her cheeks flushed red at his casual use of her name. “I-I’m not sure. I don’t think I can.”
“Oh, aye, you can. And I’ll see that you stay safe,” he said, realizing he wanted to do more than keep her safe. He wanted to show her things that were far from her estate. He wanted her to feel the speed and power of riding on horseback, and the freedom of it. “Put your hands upon my shoulders and allow me to lift you.”
She appeared dubious, but did exactly as he instructed, landing impossibly delicately on his saddle.
“Hang on while I jump on behind you.”
He did so, and she let out a tiny squeal of fright when his horse sidestepped, unused to such treatment. James steadied the gelding and wrapped his arms around Stella as he took control of the reins. It was not a sidesaddle, but she sat perched that way, her legs over one side, and with only a little imagination, James could almost believe she was draped across his lap.
A powerful shudder of arousal coursed through him. He leaned in and spoke quietly in her ear. “Where would you like to go?”
The tremulous breath she took rippled through him, and he forgot his question. He would be content to sit this way with her indefinitely.
“I don’t know,” she finally said. “I’ve never been so high off the ground in my life!”
“Just remember who was the first to bring you here.” And who would like to be the first for everything else she ever experienced. The thought came to him, unbidden, but he realized it was true.
“Hold on, Stella.”
James started in a slow trot, then gradually increased their speed to a canter. The Great Dane loped alongside them, barking as she kept apace with her mistress.
Stella held onto him. With both hands.
And James could not recall the last time he’d felt quite so alive.
* * *
Stella knew it was useless to pretend she was not in love with James Norris. And she wanted to believe he was just a little bit in love with her, too.
Their horseback ride had been amazing – and not only because it was the first time she’d been on a horse’s back.
It had more to do with James’s proximity than any ride could have been. He’d held her close and raced – well, not raced, exactly, but ridden at an exhilarating pace – and the sensation of his arms around her was more dizzying than the speed of the ride.
Stella had felt his breath on her neck, almost as close as a kiss, and when they’d finally stopped and he’d jumped down to help her dismount…
She sighed and hugged her arms around herself, as though she could recreate the feeling of James holding her. She’d felt every hard plane of his body as he’d lifted her down. And then he had not released her immediately.
No. They’d stood quietly for a moment, and it seemed he had no better luck in catching his breath than she. And when he finally did let her go, Stella’s knees had felt less steady than her lame leg had ever done.
“Wait for me,” he said.
Oh yes, Stella would wait for him.
It took only a few minutes for him to turn his horse over to the groom, and then he was back, carrying the drawing tablet that she’d left in the barn. He handed it to her and fitted her free hand into the crook of his arm.
“Would that be a collection of your drawings?” he asked as they started for the house.
She nodded. “I did these while I was visiting the Hewletts last year.”
“Shall we go inside and find a warm fire to sit beside while you show them to me?”
“Yes, of course,” Stella replied, though she needed no fire to warm her. Not while she could bask in the warmth of his attentions.
* * *
James’s thoughts raced, though he’d never felt as clear-headed as he did at that moment. Stella was so full of life and curiosity and awareness – it was a crime to keep her sequestered here in this house, as lovely as it might be.
They entered the house and the butler handed Stella a note. “Thank you, Fordson,” she said as they gave their coats over to him. “Will you ask Masie to bring a pot of hot tea into mama’s sitting room?”
She led the way into a small parlor near the breakfast room as she unfolded the missive. James followed her in and closed the door behind him without even thinking about it. He approached her where she stood near the fireplace, reading.
His world had shifted dramatically that morning as he held her in his arms. He wanted her there again.
But when she looked up at him then, her eyes were troubled and his only thought now was of how he might solve whatever had upset her.
“What is it?”
“Some very dear neighbors – the Misses Jenkins,” she replied. “Their elder brother died two months ago and they are still grieving deeply. The younger sister took a fall, though she is not badly injured… I ought to pay them a visit.”
James understood. His own mother paid such visits to neighbors and friends, as well as to the homes of the less fortunate. He admired Stella for her kindness as much as her sense of duty.
“I’ll have Robert take me to the village this afternoon.”
Which meant he would be without her company for some time. The thought of it was dispiriting. Her cheeks were flushed from their ride and her eyes still sparkled, in spite of her worry about her friends. And James could not ignore the fetching picture she made in the simple deep red gown that hugged her figure to perfection.
When he’d taken her in his arms to lift her down from his horse, he hadn’t wanted to let her go. Stella had hesitated stepping away, too. He’d felt her warmth and excitement, and sensed that she wanted more than just a tame ride in the fields behind her house.
“Lady Stella—”
“The tea will arrive soon, as will Robert, I’m sure,” Stella said, placing the letter on a side table. She licked her delectable lips and looked at him shyly as she took a seat near the fire and clasped her hands together in her lap.
&nb
sp; Her mouth looked imminently kissable, and James felt a nearly irresistible urge to loosen her lustrous hair and run his fingers through the gorgeous, curly mass. He wanted to pull her to her feet and draw her into his arms and carry her to some private little nook where he could do more than steal just a kiss.
Stifling a groan of frustration, he took his cue and sat down opposite her and attempted some light, drawing room conversation.
“You’ve never been sailing, have you?”
She laughed, a light, nervous sound. “No. Why do you ask?”
“Because I’d like to take you out on the water.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You would enjoy it.”
“I’m sure I would… if you would take me.”
James leaned forward in his chair. He could reach out and clasp Stella’s hands in his, but he guessed their few moments alone were almost ended.
“I would like nothing more, Stella.” This time, he did take her hand and raise it to his lips. He felt a shudder go through her, and saw an expression of supreme longing cross her features.
James quickly released her hand when the maid came in with the tea tray, and Robert arrived soon afterwards.
Stella told her brother of the note she’d received and her need to drive into the village. “Will you take me, Robert?”
“Sorry, Stell. I’ve got the solicitor coming this afternoon for an important appointment. I cannot cry off at this late date.”
“I’ll be happy to take you,” James said. And nothing could have been truer.
CHAPTER FIVE
It was highly irregular for Stella to be escorted away from home by a man who was not her father or brother, but she relished those moments when James lifted her into the gig, even though Robert stood right beside her as he did it.
“Keep her out of trouble, now, won’t you, James?” Robert said, handing Stella the basket of food she’d instructed the cook to prepare for the misses Jenkins.
“Of course,” James replied, climbing in beside Stella, and it was slightly disconcerting to know that even her brother believed there was no need of a chaperone, no reason to think James would make any sort of advance toward her.
James took up the reins and clicked his tongue, setting the horse in motion. Almost immediately, they were blessedly alone.
Not that Stella knew what she would do with those few minutes of travel between her home and the village. Ladies did not make advances, and Stella was woefully unschooled in the ways a woman could let it be known she would not repulse a man’s advances.
Besides, what if James was not romantically interested in her? What if—
No, he’d kissed her hand when there was no good reason to do so. It had been a blatant show of affection. Distinctly romantic.
“I took a look at your drawings,” he said.
“Of Mr. Hewlett’s ships?” She’d left the drawing pad in the parlor when she’d gone to change clothes for her visit to the village.
“Yes. They were quite impressive,” he said. “I can’t remember when I’ve ever seen such attention to detail.”
“Thank you,” Stella replied, warmed to her toes by his compliment.
“You have a very good eye, Lady Stella.”
“I had a very good teacher,” she said. “My parents knew I…”
“They must have taken note of your talent,” he remarked, sparing her having to explain that they’d encouraged her drawing because of her lameness and ill health. “If I were to describe a ship design to you, would you be able to draw it?”
She nodded, thrilled to be asked. “I believe I could.”
“Shall we try it when we return to the manor?”
“Yes, Lieutenant Norris, I would like that.”
It did not take long to reach the village, and Stella directed James to the Jenkins house. He pulled up and tied the horse, then came around and helped her down, taking the basket from her hands. “This way,” she said, feeling inordinately happy.
The Jenkins cottage was small and comfortable, but seemed empty without Captain Jenkins’s solid presence. None of the three siblings had wed, and Stella knew the two ladies relied upon their brother’s pension, as well as his strong arm in matters of housekeeping. His loss was difficult for them in many ways.
“Oh, Lady Stella! You’ve come!”
“Yes, of course,” Stella said, though she did not know how she found the words when James Norris’s hand touched the small of her back as though it belonged there.
CHAPTER SIX
There was a sweetness about Stella Barrington that James had noticed before, but he’d not really taken note of the depth of her character. Their visit at the Jenkins cottage was tedious and painfully long, but Stella never wavered in her support and kindness toward the two older women.
They grieved and she comforted.
They complained and she consoled.
Stella went out of her way to be solicitous toward the old ladies, and promised to return to visit within a few days. When he left the Jenkins cottage with Stella, James was ready for some fresh air and a bit of silence, for the two women had talked, it seemed, without taking a breath.
He lifted Stella into the gig and climbed in after her, then started for the road to the manor. He drove a short way into the country, then took a side road that led in a direction he remembered from his many past visits to Robert’s house, toward a small pond.
“Are we going to Deadman’s Pond?”
James chuckled at the name. “You know about that?”
“Of course,” she replied. “I know you and Robert and the other boys played pirates and sailors at the pond. While Virginia watched.”
Yes. Virginia watched. Virginia had always tagged along. Charming them all while Stella had been left behind.
James did not want to leave her behind now. “Your father never allowed us to play at the pond unless he or Fordson was present.”
“Of course not! He was afraid you’d all drown yourselves,” she said with a laugh.
“We might have. Look,” he said as they approached the pond. He pointed at the huge oak whose branches overhung the water. “Our rope still hangs from it.”
“You seem surprised.”
“I suppose I am. I hadn’t thought your brother would keep it hanging there.” He guessed there were several things he had not thought or expected when he’d come to Barrington Manor. That his favorite childhood haunt would have remained untouched.
That Robert’s younger sister might be the more appealing of the two.
He pulled the gig to a halt near the pond and jumped out. “Shall we take a little stroll?”
* * *
James helped Stella down and she wondered if this was it. If this was the moment when something a bit more definitive would take place.
Her father would not approve of this little detour, and Stella knew his reason. He did not want her hurt, in any way.
She tried to rein in her desires, but it was so difficult not to want James when he was being so charming and so attentive. Surely he would not have come so far out of the way if he had not wished to be alone with her.
She knew it was altogether too brash to hope…
“The tree is still perfect for climbing. Years ago, Robert and I took the rope and climbed up to hang it from that branch. See how it dangles over the deepest part of the pond?”
She shivered.
“Are you cold, my lady?”
Without waiting for her answer, he took off his coat and put it around her shoulders. And he did not step away. With a light touch, he took the lapels and pulled them together over her breasts, enveloping her in his warmth.
“Stella…”
She tipped up her face and looked into his eyes, which flickered over her features and ended upon her mouth.
“I would like to kiss you,” he said.
She licked her lips and then his mouth was on hers, a warm but tentative touch.
A fierce, bold longing rushed
through Stella, and when he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss, she slipped her arms up to his shoulders, letting the coat drop to the ground. James made a low, throaty noise and drew her body flush against his.
But he suddenly broke the kiss and it was over almost as quickly as it had begun.
“Forgive me,” he said. “I should not have taken such liberties.”
Stella tamped down the disappointment she knew she should not feel. He’d kissed her! “Of course you are forgiven, Lieutenant Norris,” she said lightly – far more lightly than she felt. Her pulse was hammering in her ears and her breath was tight in her chest.
“Your brother will be wondering where we are. We should get back.”
She did not disagree, but his hurry to return to the house felt like defeat.
But it was nothing like the abject misery she felt when they arrived at home and saw her parents’ carriage in the drive. Now that Virginia was back, James would surely remember why he’d come to Barrington Manor.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The sight of the Barrington carriage parked in the drive at the manor caused James a moment of consternation.
“I’ll ride to the stable with you, Lieutenant Norris,” Stella said. “No need to drop me right at the door.”
James said nothing, still reeling from the amazing kiss at Deadman’s Pond. And wondering about the moment he would see Virginia again.
He put the gig away and would have escorted Stella to the house, but she demurred. “I believe I’ll stop in the barn and visit with Tillie’s pups. You go on ahead.”
There was an odd catch to her voice that James didn’t quite recognize, but it seemed clear she did not want his company at the moment. He let her go with a quick bow and made his own way to the house, where the family greeted him happily.
“All is well with the dowager, I hope?”
“Yes, yes, my mother is up and about again,” said Lord Barrington. “She shooed us out of her house… Said she wanted some peace and quiet, if you can imagine that!”
Stella’s mother did not seem quite as amused as her husband. “All that way, and she evicts us without ceremony.”