“Thank you, Lady Bonderant,” Jane said with a smile.
She looked very fetching in a gown of pale blue silk, adorned about the neckline with intricately woven ribbons of varying shades of blue. Additional ribbons wound through her dark curls, affixed to her head in an artful arrangement. Michael wondered how many pins he’d need to discard before it came tumbling down. Was her hair still to her waist, as it had been four years ago? He hoped so. Was there anything more pleasing than a woman’s hair swaying against her naked back?
Turning his attention to his breakfast, he conversed with Robert, seated to his left. “Are early rides something of a standing tradition amongst your family?”
“Yes. Riding neck-or-nothing later in the day is frowned upon, and while we’re known to thumb our noses at some of the strictures of society, we do try not to step too far outside the lines.” He swallowed the remainder of his champagne and waited for the footman to refill his glass before he turned his blue eyes, so like Jane’s, back toward Michael. “For instance, I daresay none of us have ever exhibited a public display of affection, regardless of provocation. It’s not really the thing, is it?”
Before he could get his back up, Michael noted the distinct gleam of humor in Robert’s eyes. He was funning him, perhaps offering approval in his own way. Lifting his flute, he took a drink, then said gravely, “Not the thing at all. I’d assume a gentleman caught in such shocking behavior had surely lost his head in the moment, perhaps too exultant in victory to remember he was in plain sight of passersby. In fact, besting a woman known for her superior skills on horseback might lead a gentleman to demand a forfeit and devil take the consequences.”
“By damn, Blixford, I believe I may have to like you, after all.” He clinked his flute to Michael’s and grinned. “Dashed fine of you to beat Jane. She’s far too superior and needs a comeuppance on occasion. Be warned, however, she’ll exact revenge by beating you soundly next time.”
“In truth, it was a matter of superior horseflesh that allowed the win.”
“Undoubtedly, but you see, Jane will appear for the next race on a horse certain to outdistance yours. She does hate to lose, and will go to great lengths to assure it doesn’t happen again. In fact, I’ve no doubt her first purchase as your bride will be of a four-legged variety. Prepare to spend a fair portion at Tattersall’s, very soon.”
“Most ladies would ask for jewels or bonnets.”
“You’ve not married most women, Blixford. You’ve married Jane. I advise you to set all preconceived notions of femininity aside. She’ll never fail to surprise you.”
“Yes, I’ve already found this to be true.” He met Robert’s gaze. “Nevertheless, she is a woman and as such, in need of protection, don’t you agree?”
“Of course. Do you doubt it?”
“Not at all, although I confess I’m curious how she managed to travel to Scotland all on her own. It’s not something gently bred young ladies do.”
“I suggest you ask Jane. I believe the answer may surprise you. In fact, you should know all there is to know about your bride, and were I in your shoes, I’d demand she come clean and sally forth.” He took another drink of champagne before he set back to work on his smoked trout, eggs and sausages. “You no doubt believe us to be lackadaisical to have allowed Jane such freedoms, but she would have it no other way, I assure you.”
Michael doubted that very much. His anger at the Lennoxes grew. He glanced to his right and saw that Jane was deep in conversation with the reverend. He refocused on Robert. “I find it odd in the extreme that no arrangements were made for a female relative, or other woman of gentle breeding, one with Jane’s best interests at heart, to attend her and provide chaperonage during her stay in Scotland.”
“Odd? How so? She was with family, Blixford. Our own mother’s favorite cousin, in fact. Can’t get much better chaperonage than that, can one?”
He had a point, but Michael still couldn’t understand their carelessness when it came to Jane. She could ride and shoot as well as many men, but dammit, she was not a man. She was vulnerable to men without honor. “She did mention the MacDougals,” he led, hoping Robert would follow.
“Sound Scottish family,” Robert said with a nod. “Landed and titled, though I forget just now of what rank is Elizabeth’s husband.” He rested his fork and knife upon his plate and looked at Michael. “I daresay we won’t see any of them again, however, or further acknowledge our kinship. Evidently, Jane took umbrage to something said by their eldest son, Brian, and lost her temper. Most women would leave it at a rude shout and be done. Jane shot the man. I’m certain she aimed for his leg, but due to her heightened state of anger, she was agitated and missed. Practically unmanned him, if you see what I mean.”