My Fake Rake

“It depends on what you define as wildlife. Besides, you never know what you’re going to find out in the field.”

“Very true.” He brought his horse closer to the curricle. “Only the other day, I observed a pied flycatcher that was very far from where it’s typically seen.”

The name meant little to her—she guessed it was a variety of bird—but she nodded. “How surprising.”

“There’s nothing more exciting,” he said brightly, “than discovering something out of the ordinary. Or a known entity reveals itself in a new way.”

“It is one of my favorite things about the natural world,” she said honestly. “We keep expecting it to behave in a certain manner—”

“Yet it doesn’t,” Mason said, completing her thought.

His gaze met hers, and she found herself staring into the green depths. There was understanding there. She couldn’t suppress the sensation of triumph that surged through her. This was precisely what she’d hoped for.

“If you’ve need of company in the field,” Sebastian said, his voice breaking the spell that had fallen over her and Mason, “you have but to whisper the word and I will make myself available to you.”

“Thank you.” She came back to herself, but she hoped her bonnet hid the blush that washed across her face when she recalled the kiss she and Sebastian had shared in the field.

Mason coughed once. “I hope to see you at the Viscount and Viscountess Marwood’s ball in two nights.”

She lifted her brows in surprise. He’d never mentioned socializing with her before.

“It’s my intention to attend,” she said.

“Do save me a dance.” He flashed her a bright smile.

It seemed so easy for him, this charm, this comfort with banter, and while she instinctively warmed to it, she couldn’t help but think of how hard Sebastian had worked to achieve the same effortlessness.

“I will attempt to do so,” she said, “but I cannot make a promise.”

Yes, that’s the way. Make certain he has to work for it.

“I’ll be sure to seek you out,” he said, his dimple winking, “so that I get that dance.”

“Provided it isn’t the waltz,” Sebastian said. When she pulled her gaze to him, he appeared relaxed and carefree, his body long and loose, but there was that steel in his eyes. “That’s already been promised to me.”

“Oh,” Mason said offhandedly. “You’ll be at the viscount’s ball?”

“As the Duke of Rotherby’s guest,” Sebastian answered the way a man might draw a sword.

“How fortunate you have such distinguished friends,” Mason said with hard cheerfulness, “that you might gain entrance to such exclusive galas.”

“Wasn’t certain about going.” Sebastian shrugged. “Balls can sometimes be tedious, but I always have a good time, and,” he added with a smile aimed at her, “the possibility of seeing Lady Grace is the greatest inducement, of course.”

“Of course,” Mason said, also sending her a smile.

It felt so peculiar to have two exceptionally handsome men smile at her as if they would do anything to gain her favor. Again she felt the strange double sensation of pleasure and annoyance.

But then, men often engendered feelings of pleasure and annoyance.

“I will see you soon, Lady Grace,” Mason added. His tone was far cooler when he added, “A pleasure seeing you, Mr. Holloway.”

Sebastian grunted Mason’s name.

After giving Grace a small bow, Mason touched his heels to his horse and then trotted off. She was careful not to follow him with her gaze.

When she was certain Mason was out of earshot, she said to Sebastian in a gratified whisper, “You were amazing. It truly seemed as though you were being possessive. If anthropology doesn’t prove fulfilling, you ought to consider a career on the stage.”

“I’m not very skilled in that kind of performance.” His words sounded oddly tight, as if he was clenching his teeth.

“Today, you were.” She cleared her throat, wondering how to best approach what she had to say. “However . . . do you think . . . perhaps . . . you might behave a little less proprietarily?” When Sebastian frowned, she explained, “If Mason thinks that we’re truly a romantic couple, the greatest likelihood is that he’ll turn his attention elsewhere.”