on Mr. Blackheart’s forehead. “This is exactly why Zayne and I need to speak privately. Gentlemen occasionally need to distance themselves from ladies—especially when said ladies unintentionally hurt our pride.”
“Surely you’re not implying that I injured Zayne’s pride, are you?”
“I’m not implying anything. I’m telling you that you did.” He held up a hand when Agatha began to sputter. “You didn’t mean to, of course, but you brought attention to his weakness by suggesting he return to New York for the social season. He obviously can’t dance, and what were you thinking, suggesting he should assist me with keeping you alive? You’re a nightmare to guard, which Zayne knows full well, and he also knows he’d never be up for that daunting task given his bad leg.
“While it may appear that Zayne is somewhat nonchalant about his injury, I assure you, he’s not. That’s why I’m going to go speak with him, man to man. And since neither you nor Drusilla are men, you’ll need to stay down here until I call for you.”
“What if we have an emergency?”
“I’m going to encourage you to avoid emergencies at all costs.” Sending her another one of his all-too-familiar glares, Mr. Blackheart turned and began climbing up the mountain.
Drusilla released a huff. “Gentlemen are such peculiar creatures. I cannot believe Mr. Blackheart expects us to twiddle our thumbs down here while he goes off to soothe Zayne’s tender feelings. If you ask me, Zayne needs a kick in his rather nice behind, not coddling.”
“I can’t argue with you there,” Agatha said as she moved to the back of the wagon. Pulling the picnic basket out, she set it on the ground. Plucking out two apples, she barely had a moment to straighten before Matilda was beside her, looking hopeful. Giving an apple to the little pig, she grinned as Matilda scampered back to her grassy spot and immediately began to chomp on her treat.
“Interesting pet you’ve managed to acquire,” Drusilla said.
“True, but I don’t think Mr. Blackheart is thrilled with my acquisition.”
“I’m not sure Mr. Blackheart is capable of experiencing a thrilling emotion, but now is not the time to delve into his odd ways.” Drusilla lifted her chin. “We need to discuss Zayne. I couldn’t help but notice the animated conversation the two of you were sharing on the ride out here, which made me realize you’re probably up to something.”
“I’m sure I should take offense at your reasoning, but annoyingly enough, you’re right,” Agatha said. She tooka few minutes to explain everything Zayne had told her, finishing with, “So Helena left him right when he needed her the most.”
“And you’re determined to sort him out.”
“He’s my friend.”
“Rumor had it back in New York that the two of you were more than friends.”
“That’s exactly why one shouldn’t put much stock in rumors, Drusilla. Zayne and I have always been just friends.”
“You spoke about him almost nonstop when we first started out on this adventure.”
“Did I?”
“Indeed. Non . . . stop.”
A flash of heat swept over Agatha’s face. “Oh, very well, if you must know, I did, once upon a time, hold Zayne in a small bit of affection. But after he learned of that affection, he very nicely explained to me that he was beholden to Helena and that I mustn’t ever believe he’d abandon her to form a relationship with me.”
“Helena doesn’t seem to be an issue anymore.”
Agatha wrinkled her nose. “You’re supposed to be my companion, Drusilla, not a matchmaker. Besides, you’ve spent an entire year with me. Surely you’ve realized by now that I’m perfectly content being an independent lady. I enjoy the success I’ve achieved as a writer, and I’m not ready, nor will I probably ever be, to give that independence up for a man.”
“Zayne was raised by one of the most progressive ladies I’ve ever known,” Drusilla countered. “I would
“Surely you’re not implying that I injured Zayne’s pride, are you?”
“I’m not implying anything. I’m telling you that you did.” He held up a hand when Agatha began to sputter. “You didn’t mean to, of course, but you brought attention to his weakness by suggesting he return to New York for the social season. He obviously can’t dance, and what were you thinking, suggesting he should assist me with keeping you alive? You’re a nightmare to guard, which Zayne knows full well, and he also knows he’d never be up for that daunting task given his bad leg.
“While it may appear that Zayne is somewhat nonchalant about his injury, I assure you, he’s not. That’s why I’m going to go speak with him, man to man. And since neither you nor Drusilla are men, you’ll need to stay down here until I call for you.”
“What if we have an emergency?”
“I’m going to encourage you to avoid emergencies at all costs.” Sending her another one of his all-too-familiar glares, Mr. Blackheart turned and began climbing up the mountain.
Drusilla released a huff. “Gentlemen are such peculiar creatures. I cannot believe Mr. Blackheart expects us to twiddle our thumbs down here while he goes off to soothe Zayne’s tender feelings. If you ask me, Zayne needs a kick in his rather nice behind, not coddling.”
“I can’t argue with you there,” Agatha said as she moved to the back of the wagon. Pulling the picnic basket out, she set it on the ground. Plucking out two apples, she barely had a moment to straighten before Matilda was beside her, looking hopeful. Giving an apple to the little pig, she grinned as Matilda scampered back to her grassy spot and immediately began to chomp on her treat.
“Interesting pet you’ve managed to acquire,” Drusilla said.
“True, but I don’t think Mr. Blackheart is thrilled with my acquisition.”
“I’m not sure Mr. Blackheart is capable of experiencing a thrilling emotion, but now is not the time to delve into his odd ways.” Drusilla lifted her chin. “We need to discuss Zayne. I couldn’t help but notice the animated conversation the two of you were sharing on the ride out here, which made me realize you’re probably up to something.”
“I’m sure I should take offense at your reasoning, but annoyingly enough, you’re right,” Agatha said. She tooka few minutes to explain everything Zayne had told her, finishing with, “So Helena left him right when he needed her the most.”
“And you’re determined to sort him out.”
“He’s my friend.”
“Rumor had it back in New York that the two of you were more than friends.”
“That’s exactly why one shouldn’t put much stock in rumors, Drusilla. Zayne and I have always been just friends.”
“You spoke about him almost nonstop when we first started out on this adventure.”
“Did I?”
“Indeed. Non . . . stop.”
A flash of heat swept over Agatha’s face. “Oh, very well, if you must know, I did, once upon a time, hold Zayne in a small bit of affection. But after he learned of that affection, he very nicely explained to me that he was beholden to Helena and that I mustn’t ever believe he’d abandon her to form a relationship with me.”
“Helena doesn’t seem to be an issue anymore.”
Agatha wrinkled her nose. “You’re supposed to be my companion, Drusilla, not a matchmaker. Besides, you’ve spent an entire year with me. Surely you’ve realized by now that I’m perfectly content being an independent lady. I enjoy the success I’ve achieved as a writer, and I’m not ready, nor will I probably ever be, to give that independence up for a man.”
“Zayne was raised by one of the most progressive ladies I’ve ever known,” Drusilla countered. “I would
Similar Books
