CHAPTER SEVEN
"Felicia!"
Hugh took off after her, without a word of explanation. He could not let her come to harm. And he could not give her a scolding since it had not been her fault. The horse had become skittish for no good reason.
Hugh saw her clutch the reins in both hands, pulling in an effort to slow the horse, but it would not be stopped. The animal galloped down the pathway, scattering the other riders before they could be trampled. Felicia clung to the horse, her body low over its neck.
Hugh's heart raced as they dashed down the path, but he reminded himself of Felicia's excellent riding skills. She would likely see this as yet another grand adventure. He would have too, if he was not envisioning her crumpled body on the ground after being thrown off the speeding animal.
He spurred his horse into an even faster gallop. Fortunately Felicia's mount was beginning to tire, because Hugh was gaining on them. Just a little further, just a little closer, and then he could pull the animal to a halt. He reached his right hand out, ready to grasp the harness. He looked ahead once more and his heart nearly stopped. There was a stand of trees ahead, straight in their path.
He wished he could simply grab her by the waist and pull her onto his horse. But that was even more dangerous with both of them on horses flying at breakneck speed.
"Felicia, grab the pommel and hold tight."
When he saw her do just that, he grabbed the horse's harness, yanking it to the left, cursing Felicia's sidesaddle and praying it would stay in place. The horse followed the harsh command, gradually slowing as Hugh turned both of them away from the trees looming ahead.
He halted both animals, their sides heaving from the impromptu race. Hugh was panting, too. Relief that Felicia was safe made him incredibly lightheaded.
"Dear God, Felicia, you scared the wits out of me."
In the next instant, she reached for him and he did not hesitate to pull her from her horse onto his own. She wrapped her trembling arms around his neck, holding on tightly. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest. Or perhaps it was his own thundering heart.
"Do not ever frighten me like that again. I beg of you."
Felicia blinked, as if dazed, and that's when Hugh noticed her eyes filling with tears. This stalwart chit never cried. She was likely in shock. She had yet to utter a single word.
"I'm not angry with you," he said in a gentler tone. "I was never so terrified in my entire life, which no doubt made my words harsher than I intended—"
Felicia's mouth was instantly on his, hot and determined, insistent. He opened his lips, desperate for her kiss. He cradled her head in one hand, pulling her closer, absorbing the heat of her passion.
"You had me so worried," he murmured, kissing her eyelids, and her cheekbones. "I could not bear to lose you."
"I have been worried too," she said, breathless. She clasped his face with both hands, her face alight with joy, and then she pressed her lips to his once more.
He nearly groaned at the sheer perfection of it all. She was an innocent, he was certain of that, for her movements were unpracticed, but her passion flared up so quickly, and so intensely. God, how he needed her.
But she was the one thing he could not have.
Somehow he managed to pull away from her too-tempting mouth. "Felicia, I cannot."
"Why not?"
He buried his face in her neck, treasuring the pulse that beat there so rapidly, assuring him she was safe, alive. It also made him think of carrying her to their bed, her hair spilling over her shoulders while he placed her beautiful body onto the sheets.
"No! I must not. I cannot," he repeated, though his voice was gravelly, weak from the effort of denying himself.
He tried to tug her arms away from his neck, but it had been easier stopping a racing animal than to persuade his body to cooperate.
He momentarily gave up the fight, knowing it was foolhardy to do so. Felicia, the very embodiment of temptation, was atop his lap, and soon she would comprehend exactly why he needed to get away. He could bathe in freezing water for the next sennight and would never be able to remove her from his thoughts.
He leaned in for one more kiss. The last one, he promised himself. He could relinquish these inconvenient feelings for good once he had indulged a final time.
"Hugh, I love you."
His eyes flew open. He pulled back to stare at her. Surely she did not imagine herself in love after one passionate moment?
In the next instant, he realized her shocking words were merely a response to him saving her from certain disaster. Of course.
Before he could puzzle out why he felt so disappointed, Hugh heard thundering hooves behind them, and then they were completely surrounded by Felicia's concerned admirers.
As well as Hugh's betrothed.
Penelope raised an eyebrow slightly, as if aware of more than Hugh wanted to admit, especially to her. He turned away, making sure Felicia was safely on her feet before he dismounted, then he busied himself with retrieving her horse.
Felicia laughed and made light of the whole episode, although Hugh noticed she did not look at him even once throughout the retelling. Her laughter was a little too bright. Her gaiety was a bit forced. But he was the only one who seemed to notice. He knew her emotions and gestures as if they'd been lovers for years.
He shook off the notion, along with his body's continued reactions to Felicia. Fortunately he would be married soon, and no longer susceptible to such irrational sensations.
He strolled toward Penelope's horse, grabbing the bridle and glancing up at his betrothed.
"You are quite the hero, my lord."
Penelope smiled serenely, as she always did when he looked her way, but this time there was a small crease in her forehead.
Hugh stroked the horse's flank to avoid looking at her, not wanting her to uncover his inner turmoil. Only a wastrel would crave one woman while betrothed to another.
No! He would not let this bolt-from-the-blue, wildly impractical desire for Felicia ruin his plans for his daughter's future.
His jaw tightened. Penelope would be his bride.
It was the only choice possible.