Kat Martin - Heart of Fire

“I’m your cousin Charles,” the blond man continued. “You’ve already met my brother, Gray, and my wife, Rebecca.”

“Why, yes. It’s good to meet you, Cousin Charles. Good morning, everyone.” She didn’t look at the earl. She didn’t like the oddly disoriented feeling she experienced whenever she did.

“Do join us,” Charles said. “You must be hungry. You missed supper last evening.”

She managed a smile. “Yes, I discover I am ravenously hungry this morning.”

She dared a glance at Tremaine, saw his eyes darken with something she couldn’t read, and continued over to the chair Charles pulled out for her.

“You’re beginning to settle in?” he asked. “Your maid has found the kitchen and acquainted herself with our servants?”

“Yes. It is very kind of you to allow me this visit.”

Charles smiled. He had very white teeth and hazel eyes, and though he was not as imposing as his brother, he was a very attractive man. “I’m sure Becky will enjoy the chance for female companionship.”

But when Corrie glanced at Rebecca, the tight smile she received made it clear that Cousin Becky wished Letty Moss had never arrived at Castle Tremaine.

Breakfast continued with pleasant conversation, Charles being as charming as his older brother was not. Tremaine said little, but she could feel his eyes on her, and the sensation sent nervous tremors through her core. There was something about him…. And yet the more she was around him, the less she could imagine her sister enjoying his company, let alone falling in love with him.

Laurel had always been sweet and terribly shy. A man like Gray Forsythe would have frightened her, not charmed her. But perhaps there was another side of the man that Corrie had not yet seen.

The earl had arrived earlier than the rest of his family and was nearly finished with his meal by the time a servant filled a plate for her and set it down on the table. Obviously, the man was an early riser. He finished the last of his eggs, cast her a final glance and excused himself from the group. The minute he disappeared from the breakfast room, the pressure in Corrie’s chest began to ease.

She took a deep breath and released it slowly, fixed her attention on Charles and Rebecca, and joined in their light conversation.

“I’m afraid I have a prior engagement this afternoon,” Rebecca said. “Perhaps tomorrow we’ll have a chance to get to know each other a bit.”

“That would be nice,” Corrie said, not at all looking forward to the event. Still, getting to know Rebecca Forsythe might lead to information about Laurel and the earl.

As the meal continued, neither Charles nor Rebecca mentioned Letty’s missing husband, Cyrus—a blessing, since Corrie knew almost nothing about him.

As soon as everyone finished, she excused herself and returned upstairs. Since Rebecca had dodged her company, Corrie intended to take advantage of the time she had to herself and walk to the village. It wasn’t that far, and she was ready to begin her investigation. She hadn’t been to Castle-on-Avon since she was a girl. No one would recognize her and she was anxious to discover what she might find out.

Changing into a day dress of apricot muslin, and grabbing her shawl, straw bonnet and reticule, Corrie set off for the village.

A blustery wind blew the fringes of her shawl, but her full skirts and petticoats kept her legs warm. Corrie was enjoying her walk along the trail more than she had expected, noticing how green the fields were, how the wildflowers seemed to dance in the breeze. She was shading her eyes to get a better view of the copse of trees on the horizon when she saw him, a tall male figure mounted on a huge black horse.

Silhouetted against the sun, dressed in the sort of riding breeches and full-sleeved shirt he had worn yesterday, his hair tied back as before, the earl seemed out of time and place, as if he should have lived a hundred years ago.

The moment he spotted her walking along the path, he turned the stallion and began a leisurely gallop in her direction. The beautiful horse effortlessly climbed the rise to where she stood, and the earl drew the animal to a halt a few feet away.

“Mrs. Moss. I thought you would be spending the afternoon with Rebecca. Instead you are out for a stroll.” He smiled, but it didn’t look sincere. “You appear to be enjoying yourself.”

“Why, yes I am.” The words came out in an embarrassingly breathy voice and she stiffened her spine. “Your sister-in-law was busy and I was glad for a chance to get a little exercise. It’s a bit windy, but the sun is warm, making it a perfect day for a walk in the countryside.”

He frowned, his sleek black brows drawing together. “Where is your maid?” His voice held a hint of disapproval that sent her irritation up a notch.

“The village isn’t that far, and need I remind you, my lord, I am a married woman.”

His mouth barely curved. “You needn’t remind me, Mrs. Moss. I have imagined you often in that manner.” He said it as if he meant something else, but she couldn’t quite figure out what that could be.

“I’m afraid I had better be going,” she said. “I have some shopping to do and I don’t wish to be late in my return.”

“Perhaps I should accompany you—just to be certain you are not accosted.”

“No! I mean, no thank you. I shall be fine on my own. Good afternoon, my lord.”

Corrie continued walking, trying to ignore the butterflies swirling in her stomach. She couldn’t figure out why the man affected her as he did, but she didn’t like it. And she certainly didn’t want him to go with her. She had questions to ask, and she could hardly do so with the earl tagging along.

As she continued along the trail, she dared a glance over her shoulder, saw that he was riding the opposite way, and breathed a sigh of relief. Turning her thoughts to the questions she meant to ask, she increased her pace toward the village.

The moment Letty Moss disappeared from view, Gray pulled Raja to a halt and spun the stallion in the opposite direction. Staying as far back as he could, careful to keep from being spotted, he followed the woman into the village. He saw her walk into one of the shops across from the market square and while she was inside, rode to the stable.

“I won’t be long,” he told one of the stable boys, handing him the horse’s reins and flipping him a coin. “Take care of him till I get back.”

Returning to High Street, the main street of town, he spotted Letty coming out of the shop and stepping into the one next door. As soon as she was inside, Gray made his way to the window. Inside the shop, she examined bolts of cloth, fingering the colorful swatches of silk with tender care. Then she made her way toward the clerk. He watched the two women talking, but couldn’t hear what was being said.

Letty left the shop and went into the butcher’s store, from which she soon exited munching on a piece of ham. Next she stopped by the hatmaker’s. Letty didn’t seem to be buying much, just having a look around, but then if her tale was true, she had very little money.

She appeared to be having no illicit meetings, no rendezvous with a man, nor was she doing anything that might give Gray pause.

He told himself to return to the house and leave the woman alone, but something held him back. Instead, he waited the nearly two hours Letty remained in the village, then retrieved Raja and followed her home.

He watched her walking along the path through the tall green grasses, her hips swaying as if to some silent song. His groin tightened. He couldn’t believe such an innocent, unconscious movement could stir him that way. He nudged the stallion forward, eager to catch up with her.