Page 21 of Adeline

Triumph soared through her as she held her fist high and gave it a solid shake.

In quick order, Lord Ailesbury released one arrow and then another…felling two more large birds.

Adeline stared wide-eyed at the man. How dare he ignore her skill—worse, overshadow her accomplishment with his speed. She lifted her bow.

Chapter 8

Jasper glanced at the horizon, noting the growing layers of storm clouds that would, with all certainty, travel in their direction shortly. They’d be caught in the coming gale if they did not hurry back. With two turkeys tied securely to his pommel and one on the back of Miss Adeline’s mare, they were ready to depart the wooded area a short ride from Faversham Abbey.

The plan had been for him to take down a turkey before Miss Adeline did aught to frighten the finicky birds away. To Jasper’s continuing befuddlement, the woman had executed a brilliant shot and taken down the first bird. Not to be outdone, he’d shot in rapid succession to take down two more. Not that his estate required three turkeys, but his pride would not allow him to…

He shut his mind down before that train of thought took over. He was not an envious or jealous man. He was not easily prodded into competitions of strength or skill. Especially where a woman was concerned. He’d held his first bow at age six, and he hadn’t expected Miss Adeline’s skill to compare to his in any way—though that was unfair of him. Nonetheless, she’d surprised him with her aim.

More accurately, she’d baffled him completely. He kept his eyes trained on the area before him to keep his reaction hidden. The last thing Jasper needed to do was show the woman he was impressed by her skill.

At some point in their short association, he’d viewed her as helpless and in need of protection. That had been a misguided notion on his part.

“Very well done, Miss Adeline.”

The woman did not so much as bless him with a glance at his words of praise.

He’d need remember to keep any and all acclaim to himself in the future—not that the pair of them had a future.

Standing close to her mount, Miss Adeline attempted to tame her wild hair that had been pulled free of its pins by the wind as they raced across the meadow, but with nothing to secure it, her task was nearly impossible. Jasper didn’t remember his aunt—or his mother—having so much hair. It cascaded over Adeline’s shoulders and down her back, with plenty left over to fall across her face in wild abandon.

They should return to the Abbey with all due haste. With all likelihood, her carriage was repaired and awaiting her departure.

However, something kept him from rushing home.

Jasper untied a length of cord from his quiver and handed it to her. “This may help.”

Miss Adeline stared at the cord he held out to her, her brow furrowed as she continued to struggle with her light brown curls. Finally, she accepted his offer and made quick work of knotting the cord at the base of her neck, giving it a tug to make certain it would hold.

The silence between them seemed to stretch on until Jasper found himself shifting from foot to foot, tugging at his ear, and sweeping his own loose hair from his face. Anything to banish the uncomfortable quiet.

“Did you learn your skill with a bow from your father?” he asked. Why had he asked about her sire—or anything of a personal nature at all? It would open the way of conversation to his own family, and that was something Jasper had no intention of speaking about. “Ummm, I mean to say...”

His words trailed off when her face lit with a smile.

It was obvious to Jasper now that Miss Adeline had been awaiting his praise.

“Heavens, no,” she said, running her hands down her skirts. “My father, the Lord keep his soul, was well into his advanced years when I was born. And while my eldest brother is adequate with a bow, he cannot claim prowess over me.”

“I am sorry to hear that your father is not still unto this earth.” Again with the unwise topic of family, but Jasper would not be a gentleman if he allowed her words to go on without comment. “However, if you did not learn from your father or eldest brother, perhaps another relation?”

“Abel has no interest in sports. If Alfred and Adrian fancied themselves accomplished with a bow, I would not have been present to witness it.” She shrugged, leaning down to retrieve her bow before looking at her mount. The turkey was secured where her bow had been on the ride here.

He wanted to question her more on her skill with a bow; however, it was none of his business.

“You see, I was sent away to an all girl’s school at twelve. My youngest brothers were only eight and five at the time; they were not allowed outdoors with the rest of us.” She paused, some inner debate clouding her face. “I was actually returning to London after escorting my younger sisters, Arabella and Ainsley, to Miss Emmeline’s School of Education and Decorum for Ladies of Outstanding Quality in Canterbury when the storm hit. Do you know the school?”

“No, but my, my, that is certainly a mouthful,” he said with a chuckle.

Her shoulders fell as if disappointed with his answer. “I suspected you might know the place as it is only a short distance from Faversham.”

“I do not travel often.” Or at all.

“Well, to answer your original question, I learned my skill at archery while I was away at school. I and my bosom friends—Theo, Josie, and Georgie—practiced day and night, as there was not much else to occupy the long years.” Miss Adeline stiffened as a loud boom of thunder sounded in the distance. “I think it is time we return to the Abbey.”