Page 8 of Her Scandalous Rake (The Worthington Legacy #8)

T ristan squinted against the sun as it shined brightly toward the front of the house. He sat straight on his horse and waited as his mother’s guests spilled out of the house and toward the stables where horses awaited them for their scheduled morning ride. He’d been waiting for ten minutes, but had yet to see the lovely Miss Baldwin or her mother.

Scrubbing his hand over his face, he blinked his tired eyes. Last night he’d lain awake thinking of Miss Baldwin. Diana. What a different woman she was… and what a relief! In just the little time they had visited, he had relaxed and didn’t have to act like someone else around her. He enjoyed being himself, and he felt that she, too, had been herself around him. Unlike the pristine Lady Jane and her friends who sashayed around the dance floor last night acting as if they were the only women at the party. How he loathed women like that!

Diana Baldwin was a breath of fresh air, and she was exactly what he was looking for in his life. For the first time, he actually wanted to pursue her. He wanted to win her heart. The look of adoration that she had given him when he’d asked her to dance, and then later when he saw her at the refreshment table, was the greatest feeling he’d had in such a long time. He actually felt like her rescuer.

Three women walked out of the house in a rainbow of dresses, and as they came toward the stable, their high-and-mighty noses were where they always were… in the air, and their holier-than-thou attitudes were gleaming off their haughty expressions. He rolled his eyes. The more he compared Diana to them, the more they failed in comparison.

When they neared, Jane’s smile broadened. “Good morning, Lord Tristan. How happy it makes me to see you here.”

“Indeed? I wonder why that is since I live here.”

“You misunderstood, my lord. What I meant to say was that I was hoping you would be here to ride with us.”

“Of course I would be here. Where else would I be during my mother’s party?” Jane chuckled lightly and the other two displayed faux grins. He motioned toward the horse. “Please find your mounts. We will be leaving for our ride soon.”

“My lord?” Jane batted her eyes. “Will you help me mount?”

Tristan glanced at the stable hand that stood ready to help. “Lady Hastings, you already have someone to assist you.”

He tried not to laugh at the displeasure on her face as the servant helped her on to the horse. If Tristan’s mother would have heard and witnessed this scene, she would have boxed his ears for being so uncaring. But Tristan didn’t want to give Jane any more encouragement than necessary.

He glanced back toward the house. Floating down the slope was a vision in a light gray riding habit trimmed with black lace. His heart jumped with happiness. At the back of Diana, her mother and another lady trailed behind.

Tristan jumped off his horse, and then motioned to the stable hand. Earlier, Tristan had prearranged to have the servant prepare one of his mother’s mares—a beautiful white filly—for Diana.

As she neared, he heard the snickers from over his shoulder where Jane and her cronies were waiting on their horses. He threw them a glare, but they didn’t see him. Their eyes were fixed on Diana as they whispered behind their gloved hands. He couldn’t hear everything they were saying, but the words outdated and riding habit stood out. Jane growled in distaste and said, why is she here?

Tristan bunched his hands at his side. It wasn’t his place to have them dismissed from the group, but he would inform his mother of the debutante’s behavior and push his parent to have those women leave. Today, if he had his way.

He turned toward Diana as she neared. She smiled sweetly at him, and his heart melted. “Miss Baldwin, I’m so happy to see you this morning.”

“My lord, you literally took the words right out of my mouth.”

“I was hoping that you and your mother were going to ride with us.”

“Well, I’m going to ride, but my mother is not a rider, so she’ll not be joining us.”

By this time, the older woman had caught up to her daughter. She curtsied to Tristan. “My lord, it makes my heart happy to see you.”

“As does mine.” He bowed. “Your daughter tells me you are not going riding?”

“No. I have never liked the sport, I fear, and I would only slow the riding party down if I went.”

“Then you must allow me to watch over your daughter in your absence. I’ll make certain no harm comes to her.”

Diana’s face brightened, but she didn’t say anything. Her gaze switched from Tristan to her mother as if she eagerly awaited her parent’s answer.

“Oh, but of course, Lord Tristan. It would be an honor to have you do this for me.”

“It’s my privilege, Baroness.”

The snort of a horse pulled Tristan away from the women as the stable boy brought over the duchess’s mare. Tristan took the reins from the servant then turned back to Diana. “I hope you don’t mind, but I would like you to ride this one.”

Diana’s eyes widened as she gazed over the animal. Slowly, she walked to the mare and ran her hand down the mane. “Oh, Lord Tristan. I couldn’t possibly… This is a fine animal, indeed, but I fear the owner would not allow me on her.”

He chuckled. “The owner is my mother, and I assure you, my mother will let you ride her.” He put forth his hand. “May I assist you?”

Her cheeks darkened with color as she slipped her black-gloved hand into his. He pulled her around to the side of the animal before releasing her hand to grasp her waist. She placed her hands on his shoulders, and as he lifted her, she kept her sparkling eyes locked with his.

Heavens she was lovely!

Once she was settled on the animal, he moved back to his own horse. Her gaze had stayed on him the whole time. Once he mounted, he gave Diana a wink. “Are you ready?”

She gripped the reins. “Any time you are.”

Without asking the other guests if they were ready, he urged his horse forward with Diana beside him. After a few minutes, he realized the group had followed. He just prayed that they wouldn’t depend on him for conversation since he would be too busy trying to get to know Miss Baldwin a little better.

His mother’s country estate covered many miles of God’s beautiful land, but Tristan couldn’t keep his eyes off the beauty next to him long enough to enjoy the scenery. They’d been galloping for a little while, so he slowed his horse to a trot, as did Diana.

“So, Miss Baldwin,” he said, breaking the silence between them. “Where are you from?”

She smiled. “I’m from the Bristol area.”

“Is that where you were born and raised?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“I have an older brother—Cole. But I have no sisters.”

“Tell me, have you been to many of these weekend parties? Or any other of society’s functions?”

She nodded. “I have attended a few, my lord. Why do you ask?”

“I’m just surprised I haven’t seen you before now. I have been back from visiting relatives in Scotland for three months now, but I don’t believe I have seen you before.”

“I know I haven’t laid eyes on you before last night, either.”

“I suppose our paths were not destined to cross until at my mother’s party.”

More color highlighted her cheeks. “You are probably right.”

“Probably?” He laughed. “There is no probably about it, Miss Baldwin. I don’t know if you realized this last night, but the stars were aligned perfectly, which is why we met. Why else did God send an angel to me?”

Her face turned a brilliant red. She glanced around them quickly. He did as well, forgetting that other people might overhear them. Thankfully, nobody was close enough to hear their conversation.

“Oh, Lord Tristan, you speak of such romantic notions, and I fear I am not the angel you think I am.”

“Let me be the judge of that.” He winked.

Just then, a few more guests rode closer to them. Diana cleared her throat and straightened a little more in the side-saddle.

“Lord Tristan, you had mentioned earlier that you were visiting relatives in Scotland.”

“Indeed, I had.”

“Where in Scotland?”

“The Lowlands—Edinburgh.”

“Oh how lovely.” She beamed. “You must tell me about your visit. I haven’t been to that part of Scotland since I was a girl visiting my paternal grandfather.”

As he told her about the areas he’d visited, and what new places had been built, her eyes danced with excitement. Once again, he’d forgotten about the rest of the riding party, and focused on Diana. He loved the way her face lit up and the musical tone of her laughter. He loved how her green eyes sparkled one moment before a dreamy expression covered her face, making him want to sigh with happiness.

She listened intently to his story and he felt like what he said was the most important thing in the world. When he was finished, she told him about her visits to Scotland, and as he stared into her exuberant face, he realized he could literally become lost in her eyes. Become? He was already there!

It took him a few seconds to realize she had stopped talking and was peering toward a brook. He switched his attention that way and noticed the other guests of the party had stopped their horses and visited near the water.

“Would you like to join them?” he asked.

“Indeed, I would. The water looks so peaceful over there.”

Just as he and Diana reached the spot, he quickly pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted. After tying the animal to a nearby tree, he hurried over to help Diana down. As he lifted her off the horse, she held onto his shoulders and her body brushed scandalously close to his. A blush covered her face mere seconds before she pulled out of his arms.

Before he could think of anything to say, his name was called from behind him. Inwardly, he groaned. He knew that voice… the shriek of her tone… and especially the way his gut clenched. Lady Jane came to bother him once again.

Was it too much to ask for her to forget about him? He feared if she intruded upon his and Diana’s conversation, he might not be so nice to Jane and her friends. Silently, he prayed that he’d be able to keep a civil tongue.

*

Diana froze. Why had she forgotten about those three women? So far this morning, Diana’s day had been a dream-come-true. Yet now Jane and her friends were here to turn the morning into a nightmare. Even the irritated look in Tristan’s eyes let her know he wasn’t too happy about who would be meddling in their conversation.

“Lord Tristan,” Lady Jane began sweetly. “I’m very glad that you stopped to visit with us. This has been the perfect morning for a ride, don’t you agree?”

“Indeed, Lady Hastings.” Tristan glanced at Diana. “The scenery could not be more perfect.”

Heat climbed up Diana’s face. All morning long his words had charmed her completely, but now that they were with mixed company, she didn’t quite know how to act to his compliments.

Jane gave a forced laugh. “Yes, the scenery is most becoming.” She turned her head toward Diana. “And Miss Baldwin, I’m quite surprised at you.”

Panic started building in Diana’s chest. “You are?”

“Of course, and I’m a little put out with you as well.” She pouted and glanced at Tristan. “You have taken all of Lord Tristan’s attention and you’re not sharing him with the other guests.”

Diana licked her suddenly dry lips, not quite knowing how to reply to that. “Well, I—”

“Indeed, you have put a spell on this Worthington brother and he has not found the time to visit with anyone else at the party.” Lady Margaret lifted her chin arrogantly.

“Forgive me, I hadn’t realized—”

“There is nothing to forgive,” Tristan quickly added as he aimed his attention at Jane. “Miss Baldwin and I are getting acquainted. Is that a crime?”

“Of course not,” Jane answered.

“Then I don’t see what concern this is of yours.” He glanced at Margaret and Lily. “Or yours.”

“Then I suppose it is I who needs to apologize.” Jane nodded at Tristan. “I was merely making conversation, and stating the obvious.” She shrugged. “You and Miss Baldwin are causing many tongues to wag in gossip. It’s not like you, Lord Tristan, to single out one particular woman at any social gathering.”

“Especially one,” Lily cut in as her gaze swept over the length of Diana in disgust, “who still wears a riding habit from two seasons past.”

Humiliation washed over Diana and all she wanted to do was hide, or bury her head in the sand…or sink in the nearby brook and disappear. Once again, she didn’t have a reply for that comment.

Tristan stepped closer to Diana. Lines of irritation creased his forehead as he slowly passed his scowl around to the other women, starting with Lily.

“It matters not how old or how new a woman’s clothes are.” He switched his focus to Diana and smiled. “Because if you ask me, Miss Baldwin looks lovely in whatever she chooses to wear.” He threw a glare back at the other three. “A woman’s sense of worth is not about her clothing or her upbringing. It’s how she conducts herself in public and appears a true gentlewoman. From what I have witnessed from Miss Baldwin since meeting her, she has outshined all the women I have met at this party.”

Tears of joy pricked Diana’s eyes and she quickly blinked before anyone noticed. Her heart melted from his words, but really, her heart had been melting since they first met. She’d never believed in love at first sight, but now after meeting Tristan Worthington, she realized it was impossible not to have strong feelings for this man.

He turned toward Diana and offered his arm. “Miss Baldwin, shall we continue our ride?”

Smiling wide, she straightened her shoulders. “Indeed, we shall.”

As he helped her back to her horse and helped her up, happiness burst in her chest. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure she was awake and had not been dreaming about what just happened. Never in her life had a man stood up for her in such a way. Truly, he was her knight in shining armor.