An Uncertain Choice

My gaze strayed to the forefront of the hunting party. I could barely see Sir Derrick from where he rode at the head of the group. Nevertheless, the rigidness of his back and the broadness of his shoulders made him easy to recognize.

A tiny prick of irritation needled me as it did every time I thought about the fact that he hadn’t yet planned his special day for me. After Sir Collin’s garden dinner and entertainment and then the art fair with Sir Bennet, I’d begun waiting to see what Sir Derrick would plan for me. I didn’t know how he could devise anything more lovely than what I’d already experienced.

It had been two days, but surely he would plan something. He wouldn’t be so cold that he’d do nothing at all with me. Would he?

He certainly didn’t appear eager to single me out and spend time with me. Of course he was always polite whenever we were together, but he lacked the enthusiasm of Sir Bennet and Sir Collin.

Had I done something to offend him, to make him dislike me? Part of me whispered that I shouldn’t care, but for a reason I couldn’t explain, I did.

“My lady, this looks to be the spot the duke has chosen for our picnic.” Sir Bennet reined his horse as we broke into a clearing.

I halted next to him and smiled at the scene that met me. In a meadow dotted with the most beautiful array of wildflowers, a canopy had been erected. Underneath the canopy were blankets for us to sit upon. And upon those blankets lay an arrangement of platters of fruits, cheeses, breads, and pastries.

“It would appear that our leader is a romantic at heart,” Sir Collin winked.

Sir Derrick had already reached the picnic spot and dismounted his horse. As we got closer I could see him handing the reins to one of his squires, who led the steed away to a distant area where the rest of the hunting party would relax and eat. We spurred our horses into a trot and arrived at the canopy laughing and breathless. Sir Bennet helped me dismount and led me into the shade of the tent. He situated me on the center blanket as carefully as if I’d been one of the colored glass creations we’d seen at the art show.

“Thank you, sir.” I smiled up at his eager face. My heart fluttered at the nearness of his presence, his strong muscled jaw, the smooth shaven skin, and how every wavy strand of dark hair stayed in its proper place.

He hovered above me, taking in my appearance as I’d just done to him. “I didn’t think it was possible for you to become any lovelier than you already are. But every day that I see you, you grow more beautiful.”

His words caressed me, making me want to curl my toes. His gaze dropped to my lips and blue heat flared in his eyes. He licked his lips, and my pulse fluttered at the thought that perhaps he was seriously considering kissing me. He wouldn’t, would he? So soon? So publicly?

My heart raced. Did I dare let him?

“No fair, Bennet,” Sir Collin said while ducking under the canopy. Even though his words were lighthearted, something hard flashed in his eyes as he glanced at his friend. “You can’t whisper endearments into Lady Rosemarie’s ear. I’m the only one who gets to do that.”

I bestowed a smile on Sir Collin as he tossed himself onto one of the three blankets that surrounded me. His fair hair flopped over one of his eyes endearingly and his grin cocked higher on one side.

What would happen if I fell in love with them both? Was it even possible to fall in love with two men at the same time? And how would I know if I was truly in love and not simply infatuated? A sudden rush of confusion swirled through me, and I tried to take a deep breath and remind myself that I didn’t have to make any choices today. I still had three weeks until my eighteenth birthday.

Sir Derrick bent under the canopy, and as he made his way past me his smoky eyes snagged mine. I waited for a smile, for warmth, for some kind of interest to appear in his eyes, just as I’d seen in the other two men. Instead, he merely gave me a nod, moved on, and then lowered himself to his spot on the last empty blanket. I could only stare at his back, at the taut leather of his jerkin, and will him to turn around and say something to me.

As if hearing my unspoken request, he tilted his head and stared at me boldly while reaching for an apple. All the while holding my gaze, he took a crunching bite and a small smile tugged at his lips, as if he’d sensed my reaction to him and was pleased with it.

I snapped my gaze away from his, flustered and irritated at the same time. I plucked one of the wild strawberries from the dish. “All the activity this morning has made me ravenously hungry.” I nibbled the berry and tried to ignore Derrick’s hard-muscled, intense presence that was entirely too noticeable.