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CHAPTER FOUR

It was not news to Alexander that he was an idiot. He was reminded most days by the consequences of his impulsive actions. However, kissing Miss Poppy Stanton in the library of his ancestral home ranked as the most idiotic of his actions.

Whatever was he thinking? She was uptight and insufferable and very much the opposite of every quality Alexander sought in a companion. Not to mention an unmarried woman who could ruin him if she breathed a single word about the kiss.

Those kisses were the most exciting he’d ever experienced. He never would have guessed that unrestrained passion lurked underneath that prim persona. He ran his fingers across his lips as he recalled the way her tongue felt against his and the softness of her hair.

No kiss left him longing for a repeat the way Poppy’s had, even days later. It had been two days since the fateful encounter and he could not shake the memory, especially as they were due to embark on the riding adventure this afternoon.

Alexander considered an excuse to get out of it, but fondness for his sister-in-law and the associated guilt with lying to her prevented it. Which is why he found himself on his favorite horse, heading towards the small woods at the border of their property.

He did not dare meet Miss Stanton’s eyes as they set off, her sister and the affable Mr. Billing riding just ahead. Silence stretched for long minutes as they listened to the two younger people talking about the weather. Alexander had never seen two people so interested in remarking on the clouds.

He cast his gaze ahead to the clouds in question but they seemed innocuous enough. Far away and not overly dark. At best, they may encounter a sprinkle. Miss Stanton seemed focused on anything but him and he wondered if her mind wandered to the kiss also.

As if she sensed the direction of his thoughts, she turned to glance at him. He offered her a smile and she quickly ducked her head, cheeks flushing. Seems she was thinking of the kiss.

The group rode until they reached their destination, which was a clearing dotted with wildflowers and surrounded by trees. It had been Alexander’s childhood playground and he and his older brother had even built a simple structure to camp overnight.

Being here again, after years away, stirred feelings of nostalgia. Alexander wondered if the playhouse was still intact. The Miss Stantons dismounted and made quick work of spreading blankets and baskets of food for the group.

The sun shone brightly and Alexander found that he was enjoying himself.

The company was pleasant, if not a tad dull.

Miss Poppy Stanton was much more engaging when she was not playing the role of oldest sister chaperone.

He longed to bait her to see if she’d let her guard down but also enjoyed that only he was privileged to see that side of her.

He very much appreciated the sass but knew that she was doing right by her youngest sister.

“I dare say the clouds are looking threatening,” Mr. Billing announced. Alexander glanced in the direction he indicated and was surprised to see that the clouds were darker and closer than they had been an hour earlier.

“We should gather our things and make haste before the rain comes,” Alexander said as he stood to gather the remainder of their lunch.

As the group rushed to collect items, fat raindrops began to fall.

“Oh no,” Miss Clover Stanton exclaimed. “The rain has found us.”

“We’re just about through cleaning up.” Poppy was the voice of reason.

Mr. Billing assisted Clover onto her horse as a clap of thunder roared across the field. Her horse startled but Clover soothed her while Mr. Billing mounted his steed.

Poppy reached for her horse’s bridle but another clap of thunder sent the horse racing away, the lead dragging on the ground.

Poppy ran in an attempt to grab it, but wasn’t able to catch up to the frightened horse.

Alexander raced to catch his before the next thunder sounded, but the animal chased after Poppy’s mount at breakneck speed.

Rain pelted them as Alexander considered their options.

Clover’s mount danced around and she struggled against the animal’s desire to run to the safety of the stable.

He supposed the men could each double up with one of the women and make it to safety.

It wouldn’t be the most proper thing for unmarried women to ride astride with a man but they couldn’t stand in the storm either.

Before he announced his plan, Clover’s mount made a dash for home. Clover was able to maintain her seat but there was no stopping the race to safety. Mr. Billing looked between Clover and Alexander with questions in his eyes.

“Go, follow Miss Stanton and ensure her safety. We’ll seek shelter here until the rain ceases. Chances are good that our horses have returned to the stable and the stablehands can bring them back to use when the storm passes.”

Mr. Billing cast a doubtful look between them before he seemed to make up his mind and turned to follow Miss Stanton, leaving Alexander and Poppy alone and drenched.

“Come this way,” he urged and turned towards the direction of the old playhouse. He hoped the roof had remained and could provide them shelter, meager though it might be.

When Poppy didn’t immediately follow, he turned around. She stood motionless, glancing between her retreating sister and himself. Gone was the confident woman from the library.

“We need to get out of the rain,” he insisted.

When she still didn’t follow, he circled back and grabbed her hand, tugging her along until they reached the small shelter. To Alexander’s relief, the roof was intact and he nudged Poppy inside before following to sit next to her.

“What is this place?” She seemed to realize she was dripping wet and shivered. Alexander cursed the weather and hoped she would not take ill as she was soaked to the bone.

“This is my old play house,” he responded as he shifted closer to lend Poppy his body warmth.

She shivered again he hoped for an entirely different reason. His pulse raced at their close proximity.

“I can’t imagine you being a child,” she admitted. “I’m glad we have shelter though I dare say I’ve never been alone with a gentleman before.”

“We were alone in the library.”

“In a manner of speaking. But one yell from me and the house would come running. Out here there’s no one to hear but the rain.”

Her words landed heavily between them. They were well and truly alone. Poppy leaned into his warmth and he wrapped an arm around her to pull her closer into his body heat. She leaned her head on his shoulder, tentatively at first and then more surely.

For long minutes, they embraced and watched as the rain fell outside their shelter. Without warning, a laugh bubbled out of him.

“What is so funny?”

“It’s just two days ago we were so concerned about ruination but this situation is guaranteed to trap us.”

Poppy pinned him with a stare. “I’m not sure what is so amusing about our predicament? We are the least likely to want to be married in all of England.”

“That is exactly why it is humorous. Mother Earth herself is conspiring against us. If you were any other woman, I’d have suspected this was a trap of some sort.”

Poppy snorted in a decidedly unladylike manner. “A marriage trap? I think you overstate your appeal.”

“Ouch, that stings,” he teased. He was fully aware of his value. Even as a second son, he was wealthy and handsome. As evidenced by the near scandal he fled in London that concerned an overzealous miss.

“I’m simply making the point that marriage to you is not ideal. You are a known rake and women want a husband who intends to be faithful to the marriage vows.”

Alexander was suddenly serious. “I would keep marriage vows, if I were to make them.” Why he felt it was critical she believed him he could not say.

“But you don’t intend to make them.”

“No, but neither do you.”

He felt lost in the conversation as if they had switched topics without notice. How had they found themselves snuggled together talking about marriage vows?

And why did he have the urge to make vows to her in this moment?