A Lesson in Forgiveness Read Online Free PDF Page B

Expanding one's mind is always beneficial.”
    Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “Even for a woman?”
    A smile played across his face. “Even for a woman.”
    “I think, perhaps, that you and I may see eye to eye on certain subjects, Lord Whitmore,” she said, smiling back at him.
    “Indeed.”
     
     
    When she had finished her breakfast, Ginny had to admit that she had no idea what she was going to do next. Normally at home, on a day off, she would plop in front of her computer and catch up on email. There were always shows recorded on her DVR to catch up with or somewhere to go hiking. But here, she was at a loss. She rose from the table, about to head back to her room, when Lord Whitmore spoke.
    “Would you care for that tour of the gardens now, Miss Hamilton?”
    Hallelujah , she thought. Something to do! “Yes, that would be lovely.” Lovely and delightful were becoming very much part of her everyday vocabulary. Goodbye to awesome and bitching!
    Whitmore stood and offered her his arm. They strolled together to the upper terrace, where he then took her down the rounded stone staircase to the lower level. He was pointing out aspects of his design, flower and tree placement and certain statuary of which he was rather proud. Ginny soon became caught up in his enthusiasm.
    “I have a maze, you know.”
    “I did not know that. Is there a secret to it?” she asked, knowing his answer before he said it.
    “It wouldn't be much of a secret if I told you, would it?” Bingo, she'd guessed right.
    “The land around your home is vast and it is a beautiful time of year. Everything is so green and lush. Perhaps I will go walking later.”
    “Do you ride, Miss Hamilton?”
Damn, not horses again , she thought. Turns out Bethany was an adequate rider, but would that transfer to Ginny? She didn't know and was a little afraid to find out.
    “A little. I hate to admit that horses sometimes frighten me. The whole 'minds of their own' thing, I guess.”
    Laughing out loud, he remarked, “Miss Hamilton. I am surprised. You seem so confident in other areas that to admit this weakness seems unimaginable.”
Smiling in return, enjoying their banter, she replied, “We can't all be good at everything. I'm afraid I'm only good at almost everything.”
    Stopping, he turned to her, looking into her eyes and said rather seriously, “I am sure you are.” The smile was gone, but he didn't seem unhappy to Ginny. If anything, she thought he might kiss her. He stared at her like she was the main course on his dinner plate.
    Turning her eyes away first, not sure the reason for her sudden shyness, she pointed out some pretty pink flowers and asked what they were. They continued walking around the garden, discussing different varieties of roses and tulips. Their conversation continued, but they kept to safe topics. Once they reached the end of the garden proper, Whitmore showed Ginny some of the walking and riding trails that traversed the countryside, but were still considered his property.
    “I shall take you riding tomorrow. We will leave after breakfast.”
    Trying to ignore his pushiness, she said, “Would that be proper, my lord. We'll be unchaperoned.”
    He seemed to consider this for a moment. “Would your mother join us?”
    “Not at that time of the morning.” Ginny realized that her parents were only now rising. By the time they returned to the house, everyone else would be having breakfast.
    “Yes, it would be improper. However, if we stay along the trail, in highly visible places, I do not see any issue with it.”
    Raising her eyebrow, she said, “Doesn't bother me if it doesn't bother you.”
    They turned and walked back to the house. Ginny was beginning to wonder if Clarendon was the one she was here to fall in love with after all. Could it be Whitmore instead? Most of the novels she read were pretty transparent. The hero and heroine were obvious, although sometimes there were subplots that involved lesser characters.