Trudging through mud and brush, Alex remembered why he disliked hunting so much. It didn't help that the rain clouds were now letting down a steady drizzle, soaking him through. He had been half expecting the shooting party to give up at the start of the rain but it seemed they were more committed then he was.

The dogs ran ahead, barking and yelping as they chased pheasants out into the open. As they flew into the air, Alex took aim with his rifle. But with the rain in his eyes he lost sight of the birds and his shot went wide.

"Good try old chap," a voice spoke beside him. Glancing over, Alex spied Harrison smirking as he walked by. Alex snorted to himself at the use of the word "old". Harrison wasn't even a year or two younger than himself.

More birds fly into the air and multiple shots ring out. Alex didn't bother and decided it was better to save the ammunition then try to see through all the mist. He watched as Harrison let out a cheer at having hit his mark. He then looked back at Alex, a gloating grin on his face.

"I can't wait to tell Miss Edwards my success for this morning. She should be quite impressed."

Alex bristled at the mention of Miranda. No doubt Harrison was goading him, but he refused to rise to his bait. "I doubt Miss Edwards will be easily impressed by a kill count."

Letting out a bark of laughter, Harrison went to walk past Alex, but not before stopping before him. "It's no secret that you favor Miss Edwards, but I hope you're up for a little competition," he said with a wink.

"Tell me something Cousin," Alex said, switching topics. "How did you even receive an invitation for this get-together? You don't seem like Benson's usual guest."

Harrison glowered. "Well she could hardly refuse the cousin of an Earl now could she?" And without another word he sauntered off to catch up with the rest of the men.

Thankfully the shooting party broke up shortly after and the men started to meander their way back to the house. Rays of sunlight began to break through the clouds, slightly lifting Alex's spirits. He was greatly looking forward to his ride with Miranda tomorrow and had been afraid the rain was going to ruin those plans. It made him reflect on their morning together in the stable.

Alex couldn't remember being so vulnerable with someone outside of his household. He could feel Miranda slowly tear down the defenses that he had built over the years. Defenses that he used to protect himself against anyone finding out about his disability. And with how easy it was for him to share about his father made Alex want to open up about all of his secrets. But being open about losing a parent and telling someone that you've been illiterate your whole life were completely different things. Just because Miranda was understanding about one, would not mean she would also be about the other.

Finally arriving at the house, Alex never thought he would be so happy to step inside. His family never had a close relationship with the Benson's, despite being such close neighbors. Alex always felt that they were more concerned with the status gained from the association, rather than friendship. But considering he was soaked to the bone, he was willing to settle.

As he trudged up the stairs to his guest room, Alex wondered what the ladies were doing at present. He was glad Miranda wasn't there to see him looking like a drowned rat. When his valet dried him off and made him look presentable again, Alex went searching for the rest of the party. After a harsh morning he was looking forward to a more dignified activity.

A footman informed him that the ladies decided to adjourn for tea outside in the garden. Heading that way immediately, Alex purposely kept a steady pace, so as not to look that he was too excited.

As he walked out into the warm sun Alex scanned the gardens till he saw that the ladies had set up a little picnic lunch on a terrace to the side. It looked like most of the seating had been dried off, but he could see that blankets had been thrown over the stone benches so that the ladies' gowns would not be stained. It wasn't hard to pick out Miranda, sitting demurely next to Mrs. Cecilia Benson who was chattering excitedly.

Alex wanted to go sit beside her and ask how the rest of her morning was, but feared that the others would misconstrue his intentions. The gossip had already exaggerated his relationship with Miranda. If he fed it anymore, other suitors might start backing off, thinking he had staked his claim.

Just as he was about to walk the far side of the garden, away from Miranda, Harrison swept in and claimed the seat Alex had just been debating taking. Alex should be pleased that Miranda seemed to have caught the eye of a suitor but he couldn't help but there was something not quite right about Harrison pursuing her. It was no secret that Miranda had no dowry and Alex would have thought his cousin needed to marry someone of wealth. Before he could ponder it further, a lady turned and catching his eye waved him over emphatically.

"Lord Carlise!" Miss Chism said with a wide grin. "It appears you have found us. Please, come over and join us for some refreshment. You must be famished after all that shooting in the cold rain."

Alex hid a grimace as he walked over to join the fray. After Miss Chism had treated Miranda so abhorrently at the opera, Alex's esteem for her had greatly fallen.

"Tell me," Miss Chism continued, "How many fowl did you hit today? Knowing you, I say you must be an excellent shot."

This was exactly the type of flattery that Alex loathed. Miss Chism did not know him, and if she did, she would know that he was not an excellent shot, which made her compliments come across as false. But before he could answer, Harrison let out a sharp laugh.

"I'm afraid you have mistaken him, Miss Chism. For I don't think Carlisle caught one bird the whole morning," Harrison taunted.

His hackles rising at the insult, Alex was just about to give a retort when a softer voice spoke first.

"I hardly think that's fair Mr. Archer. After all, a lot of the other men that came back said the shooting was poor today."

Feeling his anger abating, Alex gave Miranda a look that he hoped expressed the gratitude of coming to his aide. The conversation may have taken a more nasty turn if she had not so expertly defused it.

Miss Chism cleared her throat, forcing Alex to break eye contact and return his attention.

"I was wondering Lord Carlisle," Miss Chism said, "If you would like to join me for a ride tomorrow? I find it so invigorating to get out first thing in the morning."

Alex hesitated, unsure of how to answer. If he shared that he already had plans to go riding with Miranda, it could send tongues wagging again. But he didn't dare lie in case it became public, which would make it look like they had planned a secret rendezvous. Which of course, would be disastrous.

Opening his mouth to reply, Miranda came and stood beside him. "I must apologize on behalf of Lord Carlisle, Miss Chism. I begged him this morning for a lesson as I am dreadfully out of practice even though he said he prefers riding alone." Alex watched with amusement as Miranda acted like she had to greatly coerce him into it.

Miss Chism's eyes narrowed at Miranda while her lips were pressed together in a tight line. But then her countenance suddenly changed and she was giving a smile that was almost too sweet. "Then by all means you must use my horse. Since it is obvious you won't have your own here, and Athena is as gentle as a lamb."

Alex felt instantly wary of what Miss Chism was offering but before he could object on Miranda's behalf, she was curtsying in agreement, thanking Miss Chism for the offer.

+++

The next day Miranda had no problem getting out of bed. Her body pulsed with nervous excitement at being able to spend time with Alex. After the encounter in the garden, both had kept a respectable distance from the other for the remainder of the day. Miss Chism took advantage of the space between them and practically clung to Alex's side. It made Miranda clench in her teeth in annoyance, but she wasn't sure why. Mr. Archer had continued to be most attentive to her and though she knew she should be encouraging suitors, she could feel that her heart wasn't in it.

Just as she donned her riding habit, Cissy bustled into the room.

"Has it always been your habit to enter one's chambers without knocking?" Miranda asked with a laugh.

Cissy shook her head and threw her arms in the air. "Yesterday I found you in bed and today you are up and ready to go for...a ride?" she asked.

Miranda pretended to be checking her appearance in the mirror so that Cissy wouldn't notice her cheeks grow warm. "Lord Carlisle offered to take me out since it had been so long since I last ridden."

Putting her hands on her hips, Cissy gave her a look that said she saw right through her. "And why is Lord Carlisle taking you? I thought you would have preferred Mr. Harrison, since you seem to be spending so much time with him. After all, didn't you say Lord Carlisle was not looking for a wife?"

"One does not have to be seeking marriage in order to spend time with someone," Miranda replied.

"Mhm," Cissy said like she didn't believe her. "I just hope you know what you're doing Mandi."

Miranda didn't have any idea what she was doing, all she knew was that it was becoming increasingly difficult to stay away from Lord Carlisle.

Bidding goodbye to Cissy, Miranda left her chamber to head towards the stables. The butterflies that were already in her stomach began to intensify tenfold. Taking deep breaths, Miranda attempted to calm her nerves. But when she came outside into the warm sun, she found Lord Carlisle already waiting for her with Noah and who she guessed was Athena, fully tacked and ready to ride.

At the sound of her approach, Lord Carlisle turned, giving her a bright smile that made her breath catch. She tried not to stare at what a fine figure Alex cut in riding attire. His tan breeches and blue coat made him look all the more dashing.

"I was beginning to think you weren't coming," he said with a teasing glint to his eye.

Miranda stuck her nose in the air, feigning a haughty posture. "Why Lord Carlisle, I believe you think me a coward."

Lord Carlisle smirked as he took a few steps forward until he was toe-to-toe with her. Leaning down he whispered huskily, "Call you a coward Miranda? Never." And still with that insufferable smirk on his face, he sauntered back to the horses to get ready to mount.

If Miranda was carrying her fan, she would be swishing it fervently, as her face suddenly felt quite warm.

Pretending like Lord Carlisle's presence didn't just send her into a tizzy, Miranda strolled over to Athena where a groom was holding her. Miranda may not have a high regard for Miss Chism, but she couldn't deny that she had a beautiful horse. Athena stood tall and regal with her silvery mane and dappled-gray coat.

Searching around for the mounting block and finding none, Miranda wondered how in the world she was supposed to get into the saddle.

"Need a little help?" a teasing voice said from behind. And before Miranda knew it, strong hands were gripping her waist and hoisting her up onto Athena. With a slight "Oh!" Miranda tried to find her seat while Athena pranced beneath her.

Gathering the reins, Miranda talked soothingly to Athena, hoping to calm the horse down, while trying not to think about the tingling sensation that she could still feel on her hips. Lord Carlisle in one fluid motion mounted Noah and left her gaping at how easy it was for him. Shooting her a quick wink, Miranda cleared her throat, covering her embarrassment that she had been caught staring. "Shall we?" she asked in a slightly squeaky voice that only made Lord Carlisle's grin wider.

Exiting off the grounds, Lord Carlisle led them onto a path that would cut through the surrounding forest. Miranda breathed in the fresh air and even lifted her face up to the sun for a moment to feel its warm rays on her skin.

"It appears you are not as out of practice as you thought," Lord Carlisle said, slowing down Noah so that they could ride side by side.

Miranda smiled at his words. "Athena is a bit more spirited then I would have wanted, but it seems I haven't completely forgotten my training."

Lord Carlisle's look darkened for a moment. "We'll just take it easy, I'm not entirely sure I trust that horse. And I don't know what I would do if something were to happen to you."

Miranda felt her heart warm at the sentiment, but then quickly tried to squash it. She was sure Lord Carlisle would say that to any lady riding in his company.

As they came over the crest of a hill, Lord Carlisle pointed ahead. "Just over yonder, you'll be able to catch a tiny glimpse of Roseglen."

Miranda turned to him confused. "You mean the Bensons are your neighbors?"

Lord Carlisle let out a deep chuckle. "Did you not know? And here I thought you came to the houseparty just to get closer to me." He shot her another audacious wink.

"Please," Miranda said with a roll of her eyes, though she was trying to hide a smile, "Your ego is inflated enough. You don't need me to increase it."

Lord Carlisle's laughter washed over her. Miranda didn't think she had ever experienced a more perfect moment. Even with the future uncertain, she knew she would forever have this memory to tuck into the corners of her heart.

They walked the rest of the way in companionable silence. Miranda had to concentrate on reigning in Athena who was constantly pulling at the bit like she wanted to run. Miranda could feel Lord Carlisle glancing at her sideways from time to time, but thankfully stayed quiet. She feared he was going to suggest they turn around, and Miranda was not ready for their ride to end.

When they climbed the last hill, Lord Carlisle put out his hand to bring them to a halt. They had come upon a ridge that allowed the eye to see for miles and miles. Leaning closer to her, he pointed off in the far distance.

"If you look very closely, you should be able to make out the house within that clump of trees."

Squinting forward, Miranda could just make out a building that looked no bigger than her thumb. "I see it!" she exclaimed. "Though I'm sure this view doesn't completely do it justice."

"Well you're in luck, because you'll get to see it later today."

Miranda raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. "I will?"

Lord Carlisle nodded then sighed. "Miss Chism made a suggestion last night when Mrs. Benson was listening that we should all travel to Roseglen for a picnic as an excursion."

"You don't sound too pleased."

Lord Carlisle gave a half shrug. "It's not terribly inconvenient, I just didn't appreciate being cornered into the situation." He gave a small laugh. "I think Mrs. Benson was just put out at my last minute acceptance and was turning the tables back on me."

Miranda scrutinized him for a moment. "You mean that it wasn't always your intention to accept the invite to the house party? What made you change your mind?"

Coloring slightly, Lord Carlisle shuffled the reins in his hands, and turning Noah around started trotting back down the trail. "We should be heading back before everyone wonders where we've gone," he called over his shoulder.

It was obvious to Miranda that he was deflecting. The question was, why. Not willing to let the matter drop, Miranda nudged Athena with her foot in order to catch up with him. But at the prompt to go faster, Athena lunged forward, eager to run. Miranda immediately pulled back as hard as she could to rein her in but although it stopped Athena from taking off, she was now rearing from being held back.

Miranda hung on as best she could, but was becoming more and more difficult due to the sidesaddle. "Alex!" she called, hoping he wasn't too far away to hear her. As Athena continued to rear, Miranda could only pray that it would choose to stop before throwing her off.

"I got her, quickly jump off!"

Not waiting to be asked twice, Miranda drew her leg off the pommel, and threw herself to the ground, landing hard on her shoulder.

Having gotten Athena under control, Lord Carlisle threw the reins over a low-hanging tree branch, and ran over to Miranda. "Are you okay?" he asked, bending down beside her to help her back up.

Miranda winced as pain shot through her bruised shoulder but she was able to stand up, albeit on shaky legs.

"You're hurt," he said, his eyes roaming over her, searching for the source. Miranda would have blushed at his inspection if it was under different circumstances.

"I'm fine," she said with a sniff. Miranda was determined not to become a blubbering female in front of Lord Carlisle. The pain was bearable, but her racing heart and frayed nerves were another story.

"Miranda, look at me."

Reluctantly Miranda lifted her eyes to his.

"Don't feel you have to put on a brave face for me. That was quite the ordeal, and one by the way, that you managed marvelously. I don't think I've ever seen a lady keep her seat so well in a sidesaddle."

Miranda let out a sound that lay somewhere between a laugh and a sob. She had never been more thankful for Alex than at that moment.

"Come," Lord Carlisle said, gently grabbing her hand. "You can ride Noah on the way back and we'll get this deranged animal back to the stables." Noah stood on the path untethered and waiting patiently for his owner to return. After he helped Miranda onto the saddle again (though a little more tenderly this time), he went over and unwound Athena's reins.

Walking back over to Noah, Lord Carlisle placed his foot in the stirrup and slid in behind Miranda.

"What-What are you doing?" she asked bewildered, because Alex was now sitting very close behind her and could already feel his body heat permeating into her back. She even got a whiff of his cologne, and thought it smelled heavenly.

"Were you expecting me to ride sidesaddle on the way back," he spoke into her ear, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to rise.

Gathering her wits, Miranda looked over her shoulder back at him. "Maybe it would help deflate that ego, Lord Carlisle." Her design had been to de-escalate the tension that she could feel building between them. But ended up having the opposite effect for her face was now much closer to his.

"Back to titles again are we now?" he asked in a husky whisper.

Miranda swallowed. She had forgotten that she had called out his given name.

Alex grinned at her silence. "Since I did just save your life, I believe that puts us officially on a first name basis."

Miranda softly laughed. "Well, you certainly did come to my rescue. Thank you...Alex."

Suddenly, his eyes darkened as they flickered down to her lips. Miranda's breath caught, and she found herself starting to lean more toward him. Just as her eyes began to close, Athena yanked on the reins causing Alex to lurch to the side. It was like the cord that was pulling them together had snapped, bringing them both back to reality.

Miranda instantly looked forward, hoping Alex didn't see her burning cheeks. Once Athena was again under control, Alex urged Noah for home.

Miranda was glad the ride was silent, for she didn't think her tongue could have formed words. Though she couldn't speak, she knew what her heart was telling her; that she was falling in love.