His Not So Sensible Miss (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time - Book 3) (3 page)

Besides, there was a very good chance
Ellings would not find him suitable for his ward. Yes, his family
did move in the right circles, but that was because of wealth and
the old family name. He was far below the duke’s station and
Ellings may wish to have someone of higher rank for his ward.
Dillon would have to think on this possible problem.

He shook his head and tossed another
log on the fire. It was ridicules that his thoughts strayed in that
direction. He only just met the lady and should get to know her
first. What better way to learn about someone than in this type of
environment, where they only had first names between them? Yes, he
would court her as Dillon and see if there wasn’t something further
between them than his current desire to kiss her.

“
The storm has passed. I
should be going. My aunt and uncle are probably
worried.”

Dillon turned around. She was already
standing. At the back door, he helped her on with her damp cloak
and escorted her out to the barn. He didn’t say a word while he
saddled the horse and gave her a boost up. Perhaps he should have
found her a mounting block because lifting her convinced him he was
right. She was perfectly formed.

“
May I call on you, Emily?”
He knew the risk of being identified by her aunt and uncle, but
Dillon could think of no other honorable way to see her
again.

“
That is not
possible.”

His heart sank, but he should have
expected her response. It was one thing to sit out the storm with
someone, it was quite another to allow a commoner to call on a
duke’s ward.

“
How am I to explain how we
met?” she continued. “My uncle would not be pleased to know we were
alone for so long today.”

Dillon had to acknowledge the truth of
her words. No doubt her uncle would force a betrothal, which was
well within his right, but he and Emily wouldn’t be given the
chance to get to know each other before being forced to the
altar.

“
Will you be here tomorrow?”
Her face turned pink with question.

Would she risk the venture? Risk being
caught? “Yes. In fact, I will be staying here until the work his
complete.”

A smile graced her lips. “Perhaps I
will call on you.” She turned and nudged the horse
forward.

Dillon watched her ride away. He had
never felt giddy in his life but the thought of Emily calling on
him again set his pulse pounding. When she was out of sight, he
turned toward the cottage. There was much to do today if he were
going to take up residence so that he was here the next time Emily
called.

Chapter 2

Emily pulled the covers up over her
head. “What had she done? What must he think of her? She may be
only a servant and poor, but that was no reason to act like an
ill-bred woman. She had behaved little better than a doxy. How
could she even consider seeing Dillon again? If she appeared at the
cottage today he would certainly consider her of low moral
character, which she certainly was not. Good Lord, she actually
asked if she could call on him. Well, the entire idea was
preposterous and she wouldn’t add to his already low opinion of her
by visiting today.

She rose from the bed to ready herself
for the day. Thank goodness it was storming again because she
didn’t trust her resolve to remain true to her plan and feared she
would have ridden in that direction despite her best intentions.
She hoped it stormed for a week so she could come to her senses and
forget about Dillon.

It did rain for a full week. Seven days
with only temporary breaks. Emily blamed herself. She was the one
who had hoped for this, but it hadn’t done any good. In fact, she
spent much of her time wondering what Dillon was doing since he
couldn’t work on the barn. Was he becoming as restless as she? Not
even her studies took her mind from the memory of the afternoon she
spent with him in the cottage. Even though it was extremely ill
advised, Emily knew she couldn’t stay away. As soon as a clear day
arrived, she knew she would call on Dillon.

When she woke to a sky of blue and
sunshine two days later, Emily waited as long as she could before
riding to the cottage. The last thing she wanted to do was
interrupt his work. She well knew the need to repair the barn and
he already had to wait days. She would never forgive herself if she
was the cause of another delay and Dillon’s job was put in
jeopardy. By late afternoon, she could wait no longer and hoped he
hadn’t reconsidered his agreement for her to call.

She was surprised to arrive and not
find him on the barn. In fact, it looked as if no work had been
done as no debris lay on the ground. Her stomach clenched with
worry. Had he gone away? Had she been too presumptuous to call the
first clear day without first sending notice? It never occurred to
her to send a message. Besides, if she had, how could she have done
so without her aunt and uncle finding out?

Emily wasn’t ready to turn away just
yet. Perhaps he was somewhere else in the yard. She would look
there first. If not, then she would decide if she was actually bold
enough to knock on the door. Her only fear was that Chambers would
be in residence and meeting him or having to explain her presence
would never do.

Instead of dismounting, Emily rode to
the front of the cottage. It was a lovely, picturesque house.
Welcoming in a way she had never felt in any other place besides
her father’s home. The front had only a small stoop with a stone
walk leading to the front door with two windows on either side.
Bushes had been planted beneath the windows but there was no
evidence of any other type of vegetation. Irises and tulips would
be lovely come spring but it was doubtful a bachelor like Chambers
would appreciate the beauty. Oh, she knew she was being unfair.
Just because his parents felt the village inhabitants beneath them,
so much so they didn’t visit or welcome anyone into their home,
didn’t mean the son was of the same mind. However, her father had
taught a number of young gentlemen from similar homes and for the
most part they were spoiled and pretentious. As Chambers was an
only child there was a very good possibility he was of the same
mentality as his sires.

Turning the horse, Emily guided her
completely around the house until they were once again at the back
beside the barn. Dillon was nowhere to be found and Emily faced
another dilemma. Should she dismount and knock on the
door?

* * *

With each day it rained, Dillon’s mood
became darker. It was bad enough he couldn’t work on the roof.
Worse, Emily couldn’t very well venture out in his weather. After a
week to think about her suggestion that she visit him, she may have
come to her senses and realized how unwise the proposal was. It was
already late afternoon and he hadn’t seen her.

She wasn’t coming. Dillon finally
admitted it to himself. There hadn’t been a hint of a rain cloud
since yesterday and the picnic lunch was on the table in his
kitchen. After days of being inside he thought she would appreciate
being out of doors. Apparently his efforts were for naught because
Emily didn’t show.

A number of situations could have
occurred which kept her away. She could have come to her senses and
realized the impropriety and danger in meeting a man alone. Emily
did strike him as a sensible young woman. He only hoped she was not
so sensible in the future. She could have also realized that given
his station that she should stay way. She could have found out who
he truly was and be angry that he had let her believe otherwise.
Or, she could have found out who he was and be waiting for him to
call on her as a gentleman should. Regardless of the reason, Dillon
would find out tomorrow because he would present himself on her
aunt and uncle’s doorstep.

Dillon lifted the basket off of the
table. Who said a gentleman couldn’t enjoy a picnic by himself?
There were no rules governing such activity. Besides, he couldn’t
stand to be inside the cottage a moment longer and he was hungry.
He pulled the door open, adjusted the basket over his arm and
walked outside to the loveliest sight he had seen in
days.

A smile broke on his face.
She
had
come after
all and it no longer matter she waited so late into the day.
“Emily, it is indeed a pleasure to see you again.”

“
I decided to take a chance
on the weather again and see how you were progressing with the
roof.”

Dillon had completely forgotten the
roof when he saw her. “I put the roof from my mind and planned on
enjoying this rare, fine weather.”

She blushed. “Then I shall continue on
my ride and leave you to your plans.”

“
I have no set plans,
Emily.” Surely she didn’t expect that she could ride here, exchange
a few pleasantries and be on her way.

“
You are clearly on your way
somewhere.” She indicated to the basked the held. “I have no wish
to delay you.

Dillon had forgotten he was holding the
basket. It seemed he forgot a good deal when thinking about or
seeing Emily. She probably assumed he was off to call on someone
else. “It is true I had planned on picnicking with a lovely
companion.”

Emily looked down and tightened her
hold on the reigns.

“
However, when she failed to
show I decided I would have to picnic alone.”

Emily raised her head and tilted her
chin. Her eyes narrowed with skepticism.

Dillon continued. “I hoped you would
return but when the afternoon progressed, I assumed you wouldn’t
visit again.” While he spoke, he approached her until he was
standing at her side.

Emily looked own into his eyes. “I
thought you’d be on the roof and I didn’t want to interrupt your
work.”

He grinned up at her. Had he been a
true laborer that is exactly what he would have done. He hadn’t
considered she would have been thoughtful of the situation. “You
are here now.” He lifted the basket. “Will you join me?”

She returned his smile. “I would be
most pleased to do so.”

Dillon placed the basket on the ground
before he helped her from the horse. They wandered to a small patch
of grass dried from the sun. Not much shelter was offered from the
trees this time of year, but the weather was pleasant enough to be
outside in a cloak or jacket.

“
Why didn’t you come to the
door when you didn’t find me outside?”

“
I wasn’t sure you were
there and had no way of knowing if Chambers was in residence. I
didn’t want to have to explain myself to him.”

Dillon took a bottle of wine from the
basket followed by a loaf of bread and cold chicken. “Chambers
won’t be returning to the cottage until summer.” When you call
again, please knock on the door if I am not outside.” He certainly
hoped she did call again.

Emily accepted the glass of wine from
him. “That wasn’t the only reason.”

“
Enlighten me.” Dillon
filled a plate of food for her.

“
There was no guarantee I
could get back on my horse if you were not here.” Her face took on
a rosy hue. “Without the assistance of a groom or mounting block, I
am at a disadvantage and would have had to walk my mare
home.”

Dillon had forgotten the difficulties
ladies faced, especially those short in stature and he made a
mental note to see that she wasn’t inconvenienced again.

They ate it in silence but Dillon
watched her. How could he look anywhere else? Her cheeks were rosy
from her ride and the chill in the air, yet he felt very warm
inside. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time the weather had
been permissible to picnic in March. Normally he wouldn’t have even
considered the idea on a day like today, given the brisk air, but
he had been tired of the indoors. Also, he wasn't so sure it was
wise for him and Emily to be alone inside the cottage again. Here,
there was still a remote chance someone would come upon them. That
reason alone kept his attraction at bay. The cozy room where they
had first visited would have been too much of a temptation for him
and he wasn’t about to test himself in that venue. Not with a lady
like Emily. It was difficult enough not to lean over and kiss her
heart shaped lips as it was.

* * *

Emily didn’t know what to say, so she
continued to eat. He was looking at her. Almost studying her and it
was a bit disconcerting. The man unnerved her and he had no right
to be as attractive as he was. Dillon’s eyes were dark, though they
sparkled with humor. His hair was in disarray and she imagined he
kept it short or the curly locks would be out of control. How she
wished she had that problem. Her own hair was straight and not even
the best irons and an accomplished maid had ever been able to
manage her hair into a style that held for longer than an hour. She
has simply given up, which was why her hair was so often pulled
away from her face and knotted at the back of her head.

It wasn’t just his hair that she noted
either. Dillon had the thickest, longest black eyelashes she had
ever seen. Some things in life were just not fair. Hopefully, those
blessings would be passed to a daughter someday and not a son who
couldn’t begin to appreciate the asset.