Page 69 of Indecently Daring

“I was just thinking how terribly handsome you are,” she said, grinning.

Harry ate the meringue, sending her an amused glance. “You’re not half bad yourself, Artemis.”

“Harry, how did that awful man produce someone as lovely as you? I mean, I know he’s your father, and it’s not terribly Christian of me to say so….”

“Not Christian at all, love,” he pointed out, but with no condemnation in his eyes.

“Yes, but he’s so….” Alana buttoned her lip as she realised nothing good could possibly follow that statement.

It had occurred to her, rather belatedly, that being a vicar’s wife might mean she would need to restrain her tongue somewhat, and there was no time like the present. After all, Harry had agreed they would not be allowing his father to interfere in their lives, so if the old skinflint wanted to walk about looking as if he were conducting an inventory of everything Holbrook had to offer, that was entirely his own affair.

“Well done, love,” Harry said, his expression admiring. “Soon you’ll be able to do that without looking as if you want to burst.”

Alana snorted. “Hush now, or all my good intentions will go out of the window.”

She smiled at Harry and then waved at Jeb, who caught her attention from his place of honour next to Lady St Clair. He grinned and waved back at her.

“He likes you,” Harry observed.

“I’m very likeable,” Alana said loftily.

Harry’s expression became serious then. “Alana, about Jeb….”

Alana reached out and covered his hand with her own. “Jeb must stay with us. Of course he must. He needs you, and I’d best keep him close by in case I must rescue him from another calamity.”

Harry swallowed, emotion shining in his eyes. “Well, I hope that won’t be necessary, but… thank you, love. You are a wonder.”

“I know,” she replied with a smirk.

Harry laughed and then turned at the sound of a discreet cough to find the butler at his elbow. “Forgive me, Reverend Martin, but Lord Kilbane has just arrived and begs a moment of your time.”

Harry and Alana exchanged a glance. Kilbane? Here?

“Whatever can he want?” Alana asked warily.

Harry shook his head. “I can’t imagine, but we’d best find out.”

The we made her smile, for it never occurred to Harry to leave her out of the mystery, and so they excused themselves from the wedding breakfast and hurried to the door.

Pippin had been quite right about the snow and, though the hour was growing late and the weak winter light fading, the world shone white and bright still. Against the pristine backdrop stood Kilbane and Pirate, like dark ink figures on a clean sheet of paper.

“Martin,” Kilbane said, giving a brisk nod. “I’m leaving in a few days for France. I intend to be gone for some time, years probably, and I have neither the hours to spare nor the patience to sell this creature, so… have him back.”

“Back?” Harry looked blankly from Kilbane to Pirate and back to Kilbane. “I don’t understand.”

Kilbane gave a sharp tut of impatience. “It’s not a difficult concept, Martin. I’m giving you your bloody horse back! I’m travelling light and can’t be doing with dragging him to the south of France with me.”

Harry took a few hesitant steps down the stairs towards Pirate, stroking the horse’s sleek neck in wonder. “You’re giving him to me?”

“Don’t look all dewy eyed,” Kilbane said in disgust. “It’s just easier. I don’t care about the price he’ll fetch, we both know I’m disgustingly wealthy. I can buy a dozen horses just like him in France once I’m settled. I just don’t want the hassle, and the damned horse is hassle, so he’s yours.”

“My word, Kilbane, I….” Harry began, his eyes shining with such happiness Alana’s heart felt as if it might burst out of her chest.

“Don’t.” Kilbane shot him an arctic look and held up a warning finger.

“God bless you,” Harry said, with such obvious sincerity he was glowing with it.

Kilbane looked positively murderous now, and Alana had to hide her smile behind her hand.