She felt that familiar soaring sensation she experienced every time Jonathan touched her, looked at her in that long, close way of his. She told herself it was the joy of flying over the ground upon the back of the magnificent gray mare, but she felt it even standing on firm ground in a drawing room.
She noted that Jonathan rode as one with his horse, like a centaur. He did everything so well, she might almost think him as lofty as the Duke. He was certainly far better bred than the Earl of Ferncliffe. The vicar must have come from a very fine family indeed. She would need to make inquiries...
She pulled herself up short at the notion, and her horse as well.
"What, what is it?" Jonathan asked in alarm, pivoting around in his saddle when he realized she was not following him.
"I didn't want to tire the poor beast," she lied. "And it really is good manners to wait for Sarah and the others."
"Yes, quite. I'm so sorry." He peered into her face, and she gave a tight little smile.
She hoped her thoughts weren't reflected in her expression. Why was it that out of every single one of the many men she knew, the only one who fascinated her utterly was so far out of reach he might as well live on the dark side of the moon?
Chapter Thirteen
A long hot bath and a good hearty breakfast after their ride restored some of Pamela's equanimity, as did her knitting.
She tried to put all her romantic thoughts about the handsome vicar out of her mind. Jonathan was NOT for her. Not for her, nor any other woman. He had told her that several times already. She simply had to believe it from his own lips. Never mind what anyone else would say if they suspected she harbored warm feelings in her bosom for someone so unsuitable.
After breakfast, they squeezed into the Stones' carriage and headed to the shops in Brimley, where they bought a long list of items for the Rakehells at war, and for Gareth Cavendish and Samuel Jerome.
Then they headed over to the first man's home, and found him in and receiving guests. Pamela knew he was the youngest of the four sons, tall, dark, very distinguished, with a quiet manner, compared with his blond and raucous brothers, two of whom had been hanged as highwaymen a year before.
He seemed to take a great shine to Pamela, judging from the way he sat so closely to her. She was flattered and flustered.
"I'm very grateful for you taking an interest in my welfare," he said when she had explained about the package to Michael Avenel, and how she wished also to help him after he had told her he had no family who would concern themselves on his behalf whilst he was away.
"I have no sisters. It would be most kind of you if you could write, and give me news of the district. I always did love it here in Somerset, but alas, being a fourth son, I'm forced to make my own way in the world."
"Second now, though you will pardon me for mentioning it," she added quickly when he began to frown. "Surely someone so gentlemanly as yourself is not completely bereft of friends and family?"
He nodded, and relaxed against the back of the sofa. "My mother's people did much for me, educated me at Oxford. I worked very hard to make the most of the opportunity, and am now fully qualified as a lawyer and accountant. But they were all elderly, and I lost the last of them a year ago.
"So I'm on my own now, and shall have to make the best of my circumstances. It's difficult to get set up in a firm. It very much depends upon who you know. My brothers' actions have cast us all in the poorest light imaginable, as you may guess, Miss Ashton. So once I took my degrees, I enlisted. It's the best way to make a name for myself which will not be tainted by my relatives' misdeeds."
"I see. Very noble of you."
"Practical too, I'm afraid. I have to do what I can if I ever wish to provide for a wife and family one day."
"I am sure you're doing a disservice to your patriotism by saying that," she said with a kind smile.
"Perhaps. At any rate, the Army has trained me and have finally agreed to send me over. I leave for France in two days. I shall be more than glad to take your parcels when I go, and make sure they get into the right hands."
She beamed with delight. "Thank you. There are some things we have brought to thank you for your pains and help alleviate the hardships you're going to endure. The very best of luck to you. We hope we shall see you back here safely some time soon."
"Ah, but where to go after that, that is the question," he said with a sigh.
Pamela blinked in confusion. "Pardon?"
"Well, I hope to make the Army my career for some time. My eldest brother Edmund would forbid me the house if he knew I was here, I'm sorry to say. I haven't been welcome since my mother died. We're none of us compatible, you see. But with the death of my most kind uncle, I really have no other home but this, even if I am treated like a cuckoo in the nest."