Season's Feather

Chapter Thirty-Four

Within the hunting party Williamson rode next to Anthony up at the front. He was bitter riding into the woods. He did not want to be close to Kate Sharma. She riled up his anger in a way that it spurred out of control. And it was the viscount's fault. He silently sent an apology to Delilah for the inward curses he was sending Anthony's way. Williamson looked over at the viscount, "If this goes wrong, it'll be your fault."

"You must play along, Williamson. Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity to win her over." Anthony suggested.

"Or," Williamson suggested, "to be shot dead by her."

Anthony laughed at his comment. The men who led the whole group called for them to move right. Kate rode up beside them and looked in confusion.

"Where are they going?" She asked.

Williamson looked over at her, "Toward our camp, I believe."

"There are tracks going off to the left," Kate said, "Look. In the moss. You can see the cloven shape. If we go to our camp now, we may miss our quarry entirely."

Anthony smirked at Williamson before riding away. Williamson glared at his back and inwardly sent more curses to the viscount. He silently was grateful Delilah wasn't there to see the words flash in his eyes.

When he was satisfied with his string of curses, he looked at Kate, "Let us stay with the group. If we find nothing. I shall offer myself up for your target practice."

Kate smiled but didn't object, "Very well."

The two rode next to each other in silence. Looking at each other whenever the other wasn't. Williamson couldn't take the silence. This trip was supposed to be fun. Should he make conversation? Delilah would want him to make conversation.

When he turned to speak, Kate had turned to speak as well. They both stopped their speech and Williamson looked away.

"My father was a secretary for a royal family in India. A family gracious enough to let me hunt with them. Even as a young lady." Kate said.

"Then it seems you'll manage quite well," Williamson nodded, "Much better than your maid on her horse, let us hope."

The two of them shared a quiet laughter. Silence descended on them again. Williamson wondered if she thought about that brief moment in the-

"Lord Aevery-"

"Yes?"

His eyes met Kates. He felt his heart stop for a moment. They stayed in locked eye contact. Williamson could have stayed there all day if allowed himself to.

"Williamson!"

He jerked his eyes away to Anthony. Without saying a word, he sped up to meet the viscount. Anthony looked at him, but he shook his head. There was nothing to speak about. Besides, they were only there to drop off their things and then head into the forest. When they were on the trail, Williamson walked with Anthony, Benedict, and the new Lord Featherington.

"It seems our stag may be eluding us." Benedict spoke.

"The elusiveness is part of the fun." The new Lord Featherington said, "And you cannot fault the sunshine."

Anthony shook his head, "No, certainly not."

Williamson nodded, but said nothing.

"Ah, the men out enjoying the sunshine. A sign of a great hunt."

Williamson could recognize Kate Sharma's voice anywhere. He did not know if that was a good thing or not. What concerned him more was that the three men beside him slowed down so they could walk with him and Kate.

"I suppose you prefer the darkness, Miss Sharma?" Williamson asked.

Kate scoffed looking at him, "What I would prefer is to be allowed to follow my own instincts on this hunt. Instead of blindly following the guide."

Williamson and the three men behind him all stopped to look at her. Williamson glanced back at the men before turning back to face the eldest Sharma sister. He gave a nod before walking over to stand next to her, "You are still convinced we have lost our prey?" he asked.

Kate lifted her skirt to step over a branch, exposing her leg. Williamson's eyes flashed down, he had to clear his throat and push the image far from his head. Her skin was just as silky on her face as it was on her thigh.

"I am convinced," Kate said, "That deer prefer the edge of the forest. This is much too open out here."

"Uh, yes, well. Perhaps you are right, but we should carry on."

Kate watched him blankly as he trekked forward.

"Certainly there'll be other deer on other paths," Williamson said, "They do not always keep together. And if there are not, then..."

He looked back to see if she was following, but she wasn't. In fact, she wasn't even there anymore. Williamson looked around where his eye could see, but she was nowhere to be found. The only person there was one of the Danbury maids. Though even she seemed to be confused as to where Kate went.

"Miss Sharma?" He called. Williamson turned back around to Anthony, Benedict, and Lord Featherington. He smiled tensely at the viscount and motioned to the maid, "Keep her with you."