Even as he finished the last, Merlin turned his nose to her shoulder, almost knocking her down. Lord Dalton was at her side in an instant.
“I am fine, sir. I do not think he meant me harm. He just caught me off guard.” To prove her point, she began to whisper softly to him, remembering not to use his name yet. Though she had learned that name in the afternoon as Miss Montgomery. He would have caught that lapse in a moment.
She put one hand on his neck, rubbing the taut muscles under his mane. She placed the other on his nose.
“How wonderful it is to be made a fool of by your own horse. But I am impressed, fairy. Perhaps you are kindred spirits. Merlin senses you are not of this world.”
“Ah, Merlin,” she cooed to the horse. “I knew there was something magical about you.” He used his front hoof to paw the ground. She laughed, and it felt good. Too good.
“May we go to the bridge, sir? I am not comfortable here in the shadows.”
He dropped his cigar, stepping on it as he followed her. “I got the impression you were not comfortable at all.”
“Not uncomfortable, only aware that this was not a good idea.” She held on to her hood at the breeze blowing across the river. “I realized what you must think of me and was going to leave.”
“I think you are a lonely woman who enjoyed my company. Not lonely, perhaps, more sad.”
“A mind reader! Do you tell fortunes, as well?”
“It did not take a mind reader to see that you were troubled last night. You paced, then calmed, then paced again. And yes, I do tell fortunes. I predict that your sadness will change when you meet a stranger on a bridge.”
She laughed spontaneously.
“You see?”
“I have not so much as a ha’penny with which to pay you.”
“Very well. In recompense, you must tell me your name.”
“Did we not chase that rabbit last night?”
“Yes, but I did not catch it.”
“You, Mr. Dalton, are very tenacious. But I cannot give it to you. I am sorry.” She noticed he never corrected her when she called him mister. She wondered why. Surely a woman who would agree to such a meeting would be more forthcoming to an earl.
“And am I not to see your face?”
“No, sir.”
“May I ask why?”
“I think not, it is a very long story,” she said. “No doubt you will think me married and having a flirtation behind my husband’s back?”
“It is one of many reasons why it could be so, but I did not think it of you.”
“I must go. I am sorry to have agreed to this, but it is very wrong.” She pulled her cape closer around her and began to move away.
“I only wish to talk.” His voice was quiet. “You see, I am a little sad myself today.”
Her sympathetic heart heard his, and she did not know what to do. Oh, how she had loved him. Would that she could take him in her arms and comfort him. Instead, she decided she would make him laugh.
“You know, I am not really a fairy. The truth is...I have never told anyone this, but I am in fact the troll that lives under the bridge.”
His head came around slowly, unprepared for what she was saying.
“Shh! You see, a wicked ogre placed a spell on me and I can only be myself when the moon is full. In the dark and during the day, I am doomed to scare little children.” She looked both ways then whispered, “Do you think Merlin has a spell to release me?”
Merlin’s master let out a laugh that was music to her ears.
“How unfeeling! I think I would rather talk to him, anyway.” She turned her nose up, though still buried in the cloak, and began to walk past him.
“No, no,” he said, laughter in his voice. “You must have human company on this moonlit night.”
“Well, that is what I thought, but you laughed at my secret!”
“So sorry,” he mumbled.
They were both comfortable to be quiet for a moment and enjoy the night.
“Do trolls get married?”
She choked, remembering he, too, had a sense of humor.
“Oh, dear, I do not know! I am sure one has never been asked, though.” She leaned back against the bridge. “I suppose it would only be wise to drop by during the day to visit the troll half. When I am the troll, I am not this charming.”
“Or I could come on a moonless night.”
“Yes, I suppose you could do that, but you would not get a good look at me then, and that really would be important to know before asking me to marry you.”
“Oh, did you think I meant you? I am so sorry. There is a troll I’ve had my eye on in Rye! I have been too shy to ask. Please forgive me.”
At that, they both laughed, and it echoed through the trees and across the water. As they wiped the tears streaming down their faces, he turned serious. “Will you please tell me who you are so I may call on you?”
She was ready for the quick change in subject.
“I am sorry, sir. I cannot. The reasons are too complicated to overcome, and I only came tonight because I could not bear to think of you waiting here.” She put her hand on his face. “This is goodbye, Mr. Dalton. But thank you for curing my sadness. Thank you for everything.”
With that, she ran off again and he did not follow her.
Chapter Four
“But I cannot, Lady Dinsmore!” Kathryn exclaimed, horrified. “It would be most unseemly!”
“Mother, I absolutely refuse to consider it. Why, I should be mortified!”
“Charity, you will hold your tongue. This is between Miss Montgomery and me.”
The three ladies were in the sewing room, and Lady Dinsmore had become quite adamant. “Kate, last night’s dinner was a disaster. Sir John and the rector said only ten words between them, and Charity,” she said, giving the girl an evil glance, “did nothing but throw herself at Lord Dalton. He showed himself quite at ease with you during tea yesterday. I believe he will enjoy his meals more could he share them with someone who had London in common. Besides, it will solve the problem of uneven numbers, as well. I meant to mention the matter to you last week when I invited Mr. Wimpole to dinner during Lord Dalton’s stay, but I confess it quite slipped my mind.”
“I can assure you, my lady,” Kathryn argued in an agitated manner, “Lord Dalton will be much more shocked to find himself seated at the table with a companion than he would be to see uneven numbers!”
“Oh, Mama, it does not bear thinking on. You always say we must defer to Kate’s opinion regarding the activities of the ton. He will consider us...rustics!” The last was said with such horror that Kathryn could barely stop herself from laughing.
Lady Dinsmore had not expected such a to-do, and she began to be vexed. “Miss Montgomery, I am perfectly aware how to run my household despite your considerable knowledge of Society’s dictates.”
Kathryn had the grace to blush. “My lady, I certainly never meant...”
“Of course you did not, my dear. I know in London it might seem a little out of the ordinary, but we are not in London.