Through Gypsy Eyes by Killarney Sheffield Page B

least before the banns are read anyway.”
    The baron grunted. “Fine, I shall wait two weeks to have the marriage performed.”
    “What is your hurry, March?”
    “The woman has accepted my suit and it seems a waste of time to play at courtship,” the baron whined.
    “Courtship is not play.”
    “I … you know what I mean. It smacks of a way for you to avoid the inevitable, Frost. You are not harboring feelings for Miss Daysland, are you?”
    “No, do not be absurd.”
    Delilah clenched her fists. The earl’s answer was far too quick, as if he couldn’t be smitten with one of her ilk.
    “I would just like you to show some affection for the girl, March. Make her feel as if you hold her in your esteem at the very least. You do care for her?”
    “Of course I do. Would I offer marriage if I did not think highly of her? Why, she is my dearest childhood friend.”
    Dearest childhood friend? The total amount of times we have even conversed with each other I can count on the fingers of one hand.
Clearing her throat, she stepped into the room. Two chairs scraped across the floor. She couldn’t help but note the irony of them rising every time she entered a room. What was the point when she couldn’t see the gesture anyway? “My lord, I am fast getting tired of having my practice interrupted by your whims. Unless there is something urgent requiring my attention I prefer to be left undisturbed.”
    “Rest assured I deem your courtship something requiring urgent attention, Miss Daysland. Is that not right, March?”
    “Well, yes, it is, I suppose.”
    Delilah crossed her arms and scowled in the direction of the baron. “You do not sound at all convinced of this. Regardless, I see no point in it.”
    “Well, I … ”
    The earl interrupted. “Makes no matter, the king wishes a suitable courtship take place. I will give you two weeks to do so and appease his majesty, not a day less.”
    It was all she could do to keep from groaning out loud. It was bad enough to marry the man but to suffer his companionship for two weeks beforehand? It did not sound as if the earl was willing to budge on the matter though, so she forced a smile to her lips. “Very well. How shall we go about it?”
    The tension in the room was as thick as pea soup. A chair creaked and then the earl spoke up. “It is a lovely day outside; might I suggest you two get to know each other better during a short horseback ride? I can call upon the groom to have a mount ready for you in the time it takes you to change into riding attire.”
    Despite her reluctance she nodded. “All right, I shall change and be back down shortly.”
    • • •
    Delilah frowned when the baron placed her hands on a saddle at eye level. “This is not Jester.”
    “My spirited gelding cannot keep pace with one as slow as your guide beast. I thought you would not mind riding the mare here. I was assured by the groom she is a very tame and gentle creature.” Without waiting for her to accept, the baron cupped her foot in his hands and hoisted her aboard into a sidesaddle.
    Once atop the animal Delilah arranged her riding skirt as best as she could. The groomsman passed her the reins as the baron settled in his own saddle beside her with a creak of well-used leather. His mount pranced, its feet drumming a nervous bugle call on the courtyard cobblestones. The baron’s horse sidestepped into the mare, who threw up her head and shifted aside. Delilah grasped a handful of mane, afraid she might fall from the animal if it bolted. Much to her relief however, the animal moved ahead at a sedate walk.
    “Are you comfortable, Miss Daysland?”
    Tight-lipped she nodded. She was very uncomfortable on the unknown animal, with him, but she was not about to let him know, to show any weakness.
    They rode in silence for a while until they crossed from the clip clop of the drive to the softer swish of the grassy fields. The scent of ripe apples, grass, and walnut trees wafted on the air. She