Loving Lord Egleton: A Regency Romance (Regency Matchmakers Book 3), Laura Beers [ap literature book list .TXT] 📗

Lady Emma bobbed her head. “I must agree with Charles, wholeheartedly.”

“I am pleased to hear that,” Hannah replied.

Lord Charles stopped at the door and turned to face her. “I look forward to our ride tomorrow.”

Hannah forced a smile to her lips. “I do hope you will be patient with me. I haven’t ridden in quite some time.”

“You don’t need to concern yourself with that,” he assured her. “Just being in your presence brings me great joy.”

“You flatter me, sir.”

His eyes crinkled around the corners. “That was my intention.” He bowed. “I will be counting the moments until we meet again.”

“As will I,” Hannah replied, hoping her words sounded genuine. Frankly, she was dreading going riding tomorrow. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to spend additional time with Lord Charles, but she wished they were going on a carriage ride instead. Why had she agreed to go? It was sheer madness on her part, but she didn’t want to reveal the truth of the matter.

Hannah glanced over and watched as Martin kissed the top of Lady Emma’s gloved hand, eliciting a giggle from her.

“Until tomorrow,” Martin said as he released her hand.

Lady Emma shifted her gaze and offered Hannah a smile. “Good day, Miss Blackmore.”

“Good day, Lady Emma.”

After Lord Charles and Lady Emma departed, Hannah turned to face Martin. “It would appear that Lady Emma is quite smitten with you.”

“I can hardly blame her,” Martin said with a grin.

She returned his smile. “Dear heavens, your cockiness astounds even me.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It wasn’t meant as one.”

“That is a shame, because it sounded like one.”

“Then I must have said it wrong.”

Martin chuckled. “Regardless, Lord Charles is taken with you, as well.”

“It definitely appears to be that way.”

“If that’s the case, why did you feel the need to lie to him?” Martin asked, giving her a knowing look.

Hannah pressed her lips together. “I did no such thing,” she replied. “I do intend to go riding with him tomorrow, assuming you will still help me.”

“Make no mistake of that, but why didn’t you just tell him the truth about why you don’t ride?”

“For what purpose?”

“To maintain honesty between you,” Martin pressed.

“And what would that achieve?”

Martin furrowed his brow. “You are keeping a part of yourself hidden from Charles.”

“That is hardly the case,” she contended. “We are still getting to know one another.”

“Are you?” he challenged. “Because as a standard rule, I tend to avoid lying to someone I am courting.”

Hannah shook her head. “You are being rather irksome at the moment.”

Martin crossed his arms over his chest. “You just know I speak the truth, and it infuriates you.”

“I disagree,” she argued. “I know precisely what I am doing.”

“You are playing a dangerous game with someone else’s heart,” Martin contended.

“And you are inventing a problem when there is none.”

Martin stepped closer to her. “Then why pretend to be something you are not?”

“I daresay you are overreacting.”

“I don’t believe I am,” he said.

“Why does that not surprise me?” Hannah narrowed her eyes. “It might be best if you focus on your own relationship with Lady Emma and stay out of mine.”

“I can do both,” he replied, his voice rising.

“Not very well, if you ask me.”

“I didn’t ask you.”

Kate’s voice came from the other side of the hall. “Good heavens, whatever are you two going on about?”

“Martin and I just have a difference of opinion,” Hannah revealed.

“I see,” Kate said as she approached them. “Perhaps we should all discuss this in the drawing room, then.”

“I don’t think there is a need—” Hannah started.

Martin cut her off. “That is a wonderful idea, Kate.”

Hannah shot him an annoyed look. “I think we have already said what needs to be said, haven’t we?”

“I disagree,” Martin said. “I believe much more can be said on the subject.”

Kate gestured towards the drawing room. “Shall we?”

Hannah headed into the drawing room and walked over to the window. She wanted to be as far away from Martin as possible at the moment.

Kate stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. “Why don’t we start with what is bothering you two?”

Martin turned towards Hannah with an uplifted brow. “I think it might be best if Hannah goes first.”

Hannah pursed her lips. “Martin is upset that I intend to go riding with Lord Charles tomorrow.”

“You’re going riding tomorrow?” Kate asked with disbelief on her features.

“I am,” she replied. “Lord Charles invited me to join him on his ride through Hyde Park, and I accepted.”

“Are you sure you are ready for that?” Kate questioned.

“I do,” she responded. “I used to enjoy riding immensely, and I believe it is time that I get back in the saddle.”

Kate appeared displeased by her response. “That is a rather big decision, and it should not be taken lightly.”

“Exactly my point,” Martin muttered.

Hannah exchanged an annoyed look with him before she shifted her gaze back to her sister. “Why should it matter why I decide to go riding again?” she asked. “I thought you would be happy for me.”

“I am,” Kate assured her, “but I should warn you that it might take some time for you to become accustomed to riding a horse again.”

“I agree, which is why I asked Martin to help me.”

Kate bobbed her head. “I believe that is a wise decision.”

“Thank you,” Hannah said, giving Martin a smug smile.

Martin shook his head. “I’m just worried about you, Hannah.”

“I do appreciate your concern, but I’m not a child anymore,” Hannah pressed.

“I am well aware of that,” Martin asserted, “but it doesn’t mean I won’t try to continue protecting you.”

Some of the anger dissipated at his words. “Thank you, Martin,” she replied.

Martin took a step closer to her. “I don’t want you to ever believe that you need to change to fit someone else,” he said, “because you are perfect just the way you are.”

Hannah lowered her gaze at his remark. She couldn’t help but wonder, if he truly felt that way, then why didn’t he love her the way she loved