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would be delightful, Miss Monahan. However, I doubt I can stay for many days. I'm past due in the Shires for the hunting season."
    Her smile became more genuine. "Indeed! We'll miss you, then, but also envy you. I hear the runs provided by the Shires are unequalled anywhere."
    "True enough." Miles sipped from his coffee cup, watching her. "There's no need to be envious. You could accompany me."
    It brought her up cold, almost seemed to throw her into a panic in fact, but the arrival of the coffee and eggs allowed her to hide it in action.
    Felicity Monahan was an intriguing puzzle, and one Miles must solve if he were to handle his responsibilities for the next few months. He could hardly let his ward run wild and be taken up by the magistrates for sedition.
    Miles was by nature a straightforward person, and he would much prefer to have a frank discussion with Felicity and come to an arrangement suitable for all. He had no faith that such a course would achieve anything here, however.
    She cut into an egg so the yolk ran free, but made no attempt to eat. "I rather thought ladies were not allowed to ride with the Shire hunts."
    "It is frowned upon. But ladies do visit the private houses in the area. I'll be staying with my friend Lord Arden, and I understand his wife is there this season. It would not be improper for you to accompany me."
    She was now dissecting the bacon. "I fail to see the attraction of being in the Shires confined to the house."
    Miles poured himself fresh coffee as he considered tactics. By accident, he'd hit upon the solution to his problems. If he could persuade Felicity to accompany him to Melton, he could hunt and show off his horses, while at the same time keeping her out of trouble. She would certainly not be running around with Dunsmore or the Farmyard Boys.
    There were other advantages, too. From her years as a schoolteacher, Beth Arden had a deft hand with young women. She might be able to set Felicity on a more tranquil course. She could also introduce his ward to pleasant eligible men who would show up Dunsmore for the fribble he was.
    The poor girl had probably never met any other candidates.
    Yes, it was the perfect plan.
    "It will not be dull," he assured her. "The marquess welcomes many houseguests, and there are other parties around the area. You can be sure of attending some events at Belvoir Castle, perhaps even with royalty in attendance."
    Too late, he realized that this might not appeal to an Irish rebel—unless she had a weapon in hand.
    "The mad one or the fat one?" she demanded scathingly. "If you could offer me a true monarch—a Stuart—I'd go with pleasure."
    "The Stuart line is dead, Felicity. Do you not enjoy parties and dancing?"
    She flashed him a withering glance. "Is that all you think fit for young ladies, Mr. Cavanagh? Parties and dancing? Is that what you do as you wait for your uncle the earl to cock up his toes? Dance and drink?"
    "Now, Felicity," Annie interjected vaguely. "I've told you men aren't much for dancing. Except the fribblous type, of course. You'll only annoy them by making them be forever at balls and such."
    Miles and Felicity ignored this, and as Annie appeared to be addressing the marmalade cat, it didn't seem to matter.
    "I am not waiting for Kilgoran to die," Miles said, keeping his tone pleasant. "I sincerely hope he will live for decades. I keep myself well-occupied with horse-breeding."
    "Well then, so do I!" Felicity retorted. "I've been managing the stables here for years and can hardly be expected to leave at a moment's notice."
    "That's true." Annie now had three cats tangled contentedly in her lap. "Father hadn't been robust for years. Felicity has been a great help."
    "And how do you sell them?" Miles asked her.
    A sharp look from Felicity told him she was ahead of the game, already planning ways to thwart his next moves. By St. Bridget, but he hoped one day to match her at chess!
    "Through a broker in London in the early