Page 25 of The Gentlewoman Companion

“I will simply lead Ranunculus, so we may all walk together,” Miss Fischer offered.

“Ranunculus?” Miss Thorpe brightened. “Your donkey?”

“Isn’t she a darling?” Mrs. Beecham rubbed the animal’s nose, then pulled a biscuit from the pocket beneath her petticoat. “Here.” She offered it to Louisa. “Give her this, and you’ll have her undying devotion.”

Miss Thorpe ran her hand down the animal’s neck and whispered into its ear while the donkey sidled up and snatched the food.

“Ranunculus is an excellent judge of character, Miss Thorpe. You have my approval,” said Miss Fischer. Miss Thorpe appeared delighted at that pronouncement. Miss Fischer took the reins. “Are we ready?”

Halverton wanted a little time with Louisa. “May I drive Miss Thorpe? If she is amenable and you are not opposed,” he said to Miss Fisher.

“Truth be told, Ranunculus dislikes being pulled,” Miss Fischer said.

“Oh, it is a droll little rig.” Miss Thorpe ran her hand over the seat.

“Graham,” Halverton called to his valet. “You won’t mind keeping a pace with us, will you?”

“Nothing will be set up when you arrive.”

Halverton waved off Graham’s concern. “We will arrive before my mother and her friends anyhow. You can arrange the picnic while we wait for them.” He handed Miss Thorpe into the carriage. Beside her, he took the leads and urged Ranunculus down the path. Graham rode behind.

“Miss Thorpe, I apologize for unburdening myself on you yesterday.”

She laughed, but he failed to see what amused her. “I am glad you did; else I would be at a disadvantage.”

“How so?”

“You caught me looking like a chimney sweep.”

If she had been covered in soot at the time, it was the last thing he’d noticed. He waited for her to tell him why she had burned the gown, but she did not.

She adjusted her hat, brushing his arm with her elbow. “Now you’ve seen me at my worst, I feel quite at ease with you.” After a pause, she said, “Might I take the reins?”

“You must be joking.”

“I would be very careful.”

“Not on your life.”

“And lose an opportunity to prove your fine teaching skills?”

“Flattery will not work on me.”

“I am sorry I jumped the horse and that I let go of Daisy’s leads. I am more circumspect now, ready to learn to drive.”

“No apology will induce me to relinquish the reins.”

“It can’t be hard.”

“Not today, Miss Thorpe.”

“Some other time, then. Tomorrow?”

He snorted. Something about Miss Thorpe loosened his sense of decorum.

“At least the day is fine.” She seemed so pleased with the weather that he did not mention the clouds creeping across the horizon.

“What family have you in Cornwall?” he asked. These were questions he’d already asked without much of a response. After their moment in his study, perhaps she would feel more comfortable with him.