No Regrets by Michèle Ann Young Page A

tune these past few years.
        "Is that all you have to say, son?" Father asked.
        For a moment, Lucas didn't quite understand the question. "You don't think we left it open?"
        His father's expression chilled further. "Cedric saw the pair of you galloping across the stallion's field after I expressly forbade it." His sharp tone cut into Lucas like a whip. "Why bother to lie?"
        Caro gave a little moan.
        Dumbfounded by the accusation, Lucas swal lowed. "I do not lie, Father, ever. The gate was prop erly closed." They hadn't opened it. They'd jumped the damned thing. Also against orders.
        Caro straightened her shoulders. "I did it," she announced in quavering tones.
        Lucas's mouth dropped open.
        Father turned his frosty gaze on her. "You?"
        At the risk of arousing his father's suspicions, Lucas tapped the side of his nose to remind her to follow his lead.
        "The latch must not have caught when I closed it. I am sorry, my lord," Caro whispered.
        Either she was in such a panic that she didn't see the signal, or she was deliberately ignoring him. Lucas shook his head at her. She lifted her chin.
        "I see, young lady," Father said softly. "Then I will have to have words with your father when next we meet. Good day to you."
        "Yes, my lord." Caro fled for the door.
        Father's disappointed gaze returned to Lucas. He narrowed his eyes. "Have you anything to add, son?" The pain in his voice hurt Lucas more than the dis belief in his eyes.
        He couldn't give Caro the lie. Father would think he had tried to hide behind her skirts. "I am very sorry we went by way of the paddock."
        "As am I, Foxhaven." Father stared at him for one very long moment, looking both sad and deeply angry. "That is all."
        "Yes, Father." Chilled to the bone, he bowed and hurried out.
        He caught Caro up at the front door. "What the devil made you tell such a bouncer? Didn't you see my signal?"
        She stared up at him, her eyes huge in her full face. "He didn't believe you."
        "I would have changed his mind, eventually. He knows I do not lie." He just wished he felt more cer tain. "Someone must have come along after we left, someone Cedric didn't see. I wish we had never gone that way in the first place."
        "Me too." She blinked behind her glasses. "Lucas . . . I'm sorry if I said the wrong thing in there."
        At twelve, she was still a baby in comparison with him at fourteen. She had no idea about a man's honor. He couldn't let her shoulder the blame for something that was his responsibility, even if neither of them had touched the gate. He heaved a sigh. "Do not worry. Father will come around." He hoped.
        She looked decidedly relieved. "Shall I see you tomorrow?"
        He stuck his hands in his pockets. His careless shrug felt forced as he thought of the unpleasant interview with Father in the offing. "Not for a few days I should think. Wait for the fuss to die down." If Father thought he'd caught Lucas in a lie, the punishment would no doubt be harsh. "I will call for you later in the week."

       Oh, yes, even at twelve, Caro had been unstintingly loyal to her friends—even if the loyalty was of the two-edged-sword variety that made you want to hug her and shake her. It was the reason he had trusted her enough to propose this ridiculous marriage.
       "Keep Lizzie, if you wish, but please, think about employing a hairdresser."
       A quick grateful smile acknowledged his defeat. "Do you know of one?"
       He opened his mouth to say yes. Admitting that kind of knowledge might raise more questions than he cared to answer. "Ask Beckwith, or the housekeeper; they are sure to know someone." He grinned. "By the way, I am expecting Bascombe at any moment. We are going riding."
       "I wish I could come with you." She sent him a questioning glance. "Do you think it might be possible to hire a horse for me? I should