Ash really wanted to speak with Miss Landon alone, but with both parents and her betrothed all present, such a thing wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. He actually felt a bit of pity for the girl. She kept sending furtive glances his way, a tiny V of worry wrinkling her forehead. Did she really think he would spill her secrets right here at the dinner table? Yes, he had teased her when he had arrived, but obviously, being a gentleman, he wasn’t going to cry rope on her. As the older men droned on about politics and the state of this year’s crops, Ash leaned toward her and offered a reassuring smile. “We are so fortunate to have such fine weather this week, are we not? I’m amazed, actually, that during my entire three hour ride today, I didn’t see a single other soul.” Her eyes rounded at his blatant lie, but then she pressed her lips together into a soft smile as her face relaxed. “What a coincidence. I was able to take my walk in complete solitude as well. The sunshine truly was a treat.”
