She grimaced and set the mare plodding slowly on. "I haven't been able to find any source that I consider suitable. Mr. Potts is waiting for-urging-my final authority to purchase from his contact at Montrose, but I know it's not right-not what the vale needs."
Richard drew in a long breath. "I have a suggestion." When she looked quickly around at him, he held up a staying hand. "I know I vowed I wouldn't interfere with how you ran things-with how you managed the vale-so if you want to do something different…" Frowning, he paused, then caught her eye, and drew in a deep breath. "The truth is, your whole situation with livestock badly needs an overhaul. The cattle herd is the most desperate case-they need an immediate injection of good quality stock. But your rams and ewes need weeding out, too, and the dairy herd is only just meeting your needs. You should think of diversifying, too-goats should do well here, and geese. The vale's a reasonably sized holding and while you've managed the crops well, the livestock could do better." Deciding he may as well be hanged for a wolf as a lamb, he added: "And your buildings, fences and shelters need repair and in some cases resiting."
She stared at him, then looked ahead, drew a huge breath and turned back to him.
"I know," Richard said, before she could speak, "I promised no interference, so I can work on each problem with you, behind the scenes."
Catriona frowned and reined in her mare. "That's not-"
"If you prefer, I can just list my suggestions, and you can take it from there." Richard halted Thunderer beside her. "Or if you'd rather, I can talk each matter through with McArdle and the others, and then write to the various dealers in your name and set up the meetings, then you could-"
"Richard!"
He looked at her stonily "What?"
"Your vow!" Catriona glared at him "I've already realized it's senseless to refuse your help with the business side of the vale. While the spiritual side of things"-she flung out a hand, encompassing the vale and the circle behind them-"and all healing matters must be left in my hands, I need you to help me with the rest."
He stared at her unblinkingly. "You need me?"
Catriona met his gaze directly. "After last night, you need to ask?"
A long moment passed. "But you didn't want me to help-I asked, and you said you didn't need my assistance."
Catriona blushed, the mare sidled. "I thought," she confessed, holding his gaze, "that you didn't mean to stay-that you were preparing to leave." She
frowned, recalling. "In fact, I came to the library one morning to ask you for help with the breeding stock and heard you talking to Worboys, making plans to leave. That was before you offered to help."
Richard frowned. "You were behind that other door in the library?" Catriona nodded; Richard grimaced. "Worboys and his plans." Briefly, he explained.
Catriona sat back in her saddle. "So you never intended to leave at all?"
"Not until you made it impossible to stay." Remembering how she'd made him feel, Richard narrowed his eyes at her. "Do you think that in future, you could just tell me what is really in your witchy mind without trying to guess my thoughts first?"
Catriona narrowed her eyes back. "I wouldn't need to guess if you just told me how you felt." She considered his face. "You're very good at hiding your feelings-even from me."
"Humph. I'll take that as a compliment."
"Don't-it's going to have to change."
"Oh?" Brows rising, he looked down at her, arrogantly challenging.
"Indeed." Catriona met his gaze, sheer determination in hers. The horses sidled and stamped-sending them swaying closer. She raised her brows. "I'll make a deal with you. Another set of vows."
Richard's brows quirked, then he grimaced. "Let's make them a little clearer than the last."
"Assuredly-in fact, these vows are designed to ensure future understanding."
Richard eyed her with increasing unease. "What are they?"
Catriona smiled into his eyes and held up her hand. "I vow before The Lady that I will henceforth always speak my mind directly to you-if you will reciprocate in like vein."
Richard studied her eyes, her face, then drew breath, raised his hand, placed it palm to palm with hers, and linked their fingers. "Before Your Lady, I swear I'll…"-he hesitated, then grimaced-"try."
Catriona blinked at him, then her lips twitched, then curved, then she threw back her head and laughed. Peal after peal of her glorious laughter rang out; mock-disgruntled, Richard reached for her. "It's not funny, being naturally reticent."
She stopped laughing on a gasp as she landed in his saddle, facing him. "Reticent? You?" As his hands ran over her body then slid beneath her hems, her eyes widened even more. "You don't know the meaning of the word."
Over the next few minutes, he gave her justification and more for that assessment, until she finally gasped, as categorically as she could: Richard! It is not possible on a horse."