Once Emily had departed, Julia arched a delicate brow. “Have you had a chance to catch up with your brother yet? Or have you quite forgotten about him?”
Like her slap of yesterday, her words found their mark, and he straightened. “No, I have not forgotten Edmund. I will deal with him. But I will do so in my own time.”
“What do you mean? Deal with him?” Confusion crossed her features. “How exactly do you intend to deal with Edmund?”
He shrugged. “As I always have, very carefully.” Unable to resist, he let his eyes again lower to her mouth. “Particularly after yesterday.”
She drew in a sharp breath and cast a furtive glance around. The crowds were beginning to disperse, so she edged closer to the fence separating them and dropped her voice to a desperate hiss. “You must understand that was a mistake. I thought you were Edmund!”
He braced his arms over the top rail, grinning when she stumbled back. “There was no mistake on my part. I knew who you were at all times.”
“You took advantage of the situation. You—”
“My dear Julia, it would have taken a far stronger man than I to deny your plea. I am willing to concede to being weak, but not stupid, for I gave you fair warning that what you requested of me was dangerous.”
“Dangerous? By God, you could have been killed!”
Daniel spun at the comment, stepping back from the fence upon recognizing Julia’s father, Lord Taunton. A decade older, the earl’s dark hair was peppered with streaks of silver and gray, but his eyes—Julia’s eyes—were a lively blue. Robbie had opened the nearest paddock gate and released Black Devil into another enclosure, so Lord Taunton advanced without threat.
“Lord Bryant, I must say, you do know how to make an entrance.” He grasped Daniel’s hand in his, pumping it up and down. “That was quite a show. I had bets laid that Robbie would have to put the horse down. Pray tell, how did you tame the beast? And when did you return? You must come and dine with us this very evening. I will not take no for an answer. You have some long overdue explanations to make, young man.”
Daniel shook his head with a laugh. Another voice piped up to forestall his reply.
“Cor blimey, it were brilliant! Smashing good.”
A young boy, no more than five, scrambled through the fence rails and dashed to his side, craning his head back to beam a smile up at him.
“My son, Lord Jonathan.” Pride laced Lord Taunton’s words.
The introduction was superfluous, for the boy’s vibrant blue eyes mirrored his father’s and sisters’. Daniel dipped into a bow. “It is a pleasure.”
Emily joined their group, looking apologetic. “I held him back as long as I could.”
“Are you a horseman?” he addressed the boy.
“I ride Mindy, my pony, but I want to ride Black Devil. Can I? Please?”
“Absolutely,” he said. He was quick to add, “As soon as you pile on a bit more height and weight, we will have you on his back in no time.”
Jonathan looked crestfallen. “I know,” he declared, brightening, “I’ll eat that green stuff that Cook says will make me grow. I’ll stop stuffing it in my napkin, and I’ll be big in no time.”
“Sounds like a good plan.” Daniel nodded solemnly, his lips twitching.
“Speaking of plans, we must be keeping you from yours,” Julia said, circling around the fence rail and through the open gate to rest her hand on her brother’s shoulder.
“We have taken up enough of your time,” Julia continued. “We—”
He did not let her finish. “On the contrary.” She was seeking an escape, and he had no intention of providing her with one. “My time is yours, for I have no plans but to enjoy the pleasure of your company.”
Julia made no comment, but he noted her hand tightened on Jonathan’s shoulder, who with a grunt of protest, dodged free.
“And, my lord, I accept your kind offer to dine.”
“Wonderful, we look forward to it.” Her father beamed.
Daniel’s eyes met Julia’s, unable to hide his triumph. He swallowed his laugh when she looked discomfited and quickly dropped her gaze to her brother, speaking to him.
“Jonathan, you mentioned wanting to see Punch and Judy? I spied their red and white tent over by the blacksmith shop, and that distant squawk is unmistakably Punch.”
“Why don’t we head over there?” Emily looped her arm through her father’s.
Jonathan frowned. “I can’t see them.”
“You need a better vantage point. How is this?” Daniel bent, scooped up the little boy, and settled him on his shoulders. “Now, Captain, steer me to their tent.” He walked to the open gate, Jonathan’s squeal of delight ringing out.