When Two Rivers Meet (Regency Romance)

by Deborah M. Hathaway

  He bowed to each of the women and walked out of the room, silently expressing a prayer of gratitude for his plan having worked out perfectly.

  As soon as she had changed into her slate-colored riding habit, Lilyanna bounded down the stairs, avoiding the parlor altogether and quickly making her way to the stables. Mr. Lowick stood outside the doors already, holding the reins of Silhouette and a dark brown mare.

  "Miss Crosgrove," Mr. Lowick said, bowing his head to her.

  "How are you, Mr. Lowick?" Lilyanna asked.

  He returned her smile. "Fine, Miss. Thank you."

  "I hope you do not mind accompanying us on our ride, but this way, you may finally meet Mr. Bainbridge, the one I spoke of earlier."

  "Yes, Miss, I remember."

  Lilyanna smiled at the man's twinkling gray eyes as he helped her onto her horse. He led her past the estate's back gardens and around the house until they reached Elijah who stood next to his black horse.

  "Mr. Bainbridge," Lilyanna said, sitting tall in her sidesaddle, "this is our groom, Mr. Lowick. Mr. Lowick, Mr. Bainbridge."

  "How do you do?" Elijah asked, nodding.

  "Fine, sir, thank you."

  "You are quite all right with accompanying us then?" Elijah asked, and Lilyanna thought of how kind it was for him to ask.

  "Of course, sir," Mr. Lowick said, eying Elijah's tall, black stallion. "And may I add, sir, you have a fine horse, sir. Very fine, indeed."

  Elijah smiled his thanks before Lilyanna spoke up.

  "Are we ready?" she said, anxious to be on their way for fear her mother might appear and forbid them from going after all.

  "Yes, I believe so," Elijah said.

  Lilyanna watched Elijah as he mounted his stallion effortlessly. He looked even more handsome with his riding tails and tall, black top hat, and her heart fluttered with anticipation of spending time with the gentleman.

  "Shall I lead the way?" she asked as Elijah looked to her.

  "Please."

  Lilyanna clicked her tongue, urging her horse forward. Elijah followed close behind, and after a few moments, Lilyanna heard Mr. Lowick take up the rear. She made a mental note to thank him later for allowing Elijah and herself some form of privacy, for she knew, had her mother accompanied them, she would not have given them the same courtesy.

  She frowned as she thought of her mother's scolding before Elijah had appeared, and she blushed, praying he had not heard her mother's complaints against her.

  When they passed through the thick trees beyond Heatherhill, Elijah moved to her side.

  "Solsbury Hill is a beautiful spot," Lilyanna said when she noticed Elijah's eyes on her. "I am surprised you have not been there with Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey."

  "Miss Crosgrove, I must confess something before we continue with our ride."

  Lilyanna looked over at him, concerned with his sober tone. "What is it?" she asked.

  "I am afraid I have not been honest with you," he began as he rearranged the leather reins in his gloved hands. "I have been to Solsbury Hill many times. However, I did not mention it, as I hoped it would encourage your mother to allow you to accompany me. I do hope you can forgive a sinner such as I."

  Lilyanna could not help but laugh. "I thought it odd you had never been," she said, and Elijah smiled guiltily.

  The desire to kiss his cheek suddenly billowed inside Lilyanna, and she blushed, focusing her attention on the heather-covered path in front of them.

  "You needn't worry any longer, Mr. Bainbridge," she said. "Of course you are forgiven. In truth, I am glad you managed to convince my mother, for it provided an escape from a rather stifling moment."

  "I am glad to have helped," Elijah responded. "Please let me know if I can ever provide any assistance to you again."

  Lilyanna looked into his deep, brown eyes, noting his sincerity. "I will," she said with a nod.

  They smiled at one another, and Lilyanna looked around her with a content sigh. The brown heather and green hills in front of them rolled as far as she could see before meeting with heavy, gray clouds. Above them, however, the sun shone brightly. She could still feel the cold on the air from the spring day, but her thick riding clothes, and her present company, prevented the nipping wind from causing her to chill.

  "It has been far too long since I have ridden," Lilyanna said. "My father enjoys his time with horses, but Mother discourages me from doing the same, insisting riding to be a manly pursuit."

  "Well if it is a manly pursuit, you make it look very… feminine."

  Lilyanna blushed, but not before seeing Elijah dart his eyes away from her, clearing his throat. She thought she detected his cheeks turning the faintest shade of red, but she brushed the notion aside to focus on the steep incline they fast approached.

  They led their horses up the slippery ground, and Lilyanna observed how well Elijah handled his black stallion. Growing up, she had watched Mr. Lowick caring for the estate's stallions, and she had always been scared of the powerful creatures. However, just like Mr. Lowick, Elijah seemed perfectly in control as he sat astride his horse.

  "You ride very well, Mr. Bainbridge," she said once they reached level ground.

  Elijah smiled. "Both of my parents have enjoyed riding their entire lives, so their encouragement for Hazel and I to do the same should come as no surprise."

  "We shall all have to take a ride together then. That is, if you would not mind."

  "I would not mind in the slightest, Miss Crosgrove," he said, returning her smile. "You mentioned your father liking horses. Did he teach you to ride, or perhaps a governess?"

  "No, indeed," Lilyanna said. "It was Mr. Lowick."

  She smiled, looking to the groom who had positioned himself far enough back to have not heard a word. "He is a kind man, always there for me whenever I need someone to speak with, especially with my father being gone."

  "Which is quite often, if I remember correctly."

  "Yes," Lilyanna said. She looked to the dark clouds positioned far away from them. "I miss him, and I fear for his life. Mother and I are both relieved at his approaching retirement."

  "I do not wish to pry," Elijah began, "and you do not have to answer if you do not wish, but why did he join the navy?"

  "It is a curious thing for a gentleman with an inheritance to do," Lilyanna agreed, nodding, "and for such a length of time. You see, since my father would inherit Heatherhill, his two younger brothers, who longed to make names for themselves, joined the navy, Samuel at sixteen, Thomas at seventeen.

  "However, the year before my mother and father married, Samuel died at sea. After his death, my parents' marriage commenced, but Father became restless, and he joined the navy within a month of their union.

  "When I was a child, he always told me it was his duty to serve his country, that he could not sit idly while others sacrificed their lives for him. Now that I am older, I know he was speaking of his youngest brother's death and the guilt he felt at not being able to prevent it."

  Lilyanna paused, taking in a deep breath of the chilly air. "I believe as the years have passed, my father has become obsessed with overcoming the blame he has put on himself, and to deal with his remorse, he has spent twenty long years in the navy. His service is certainly commendable, but I wonder if he should not have retired years ago."

  "I can understand his grief over his brother's death," Elijah said when she paused again, "especially to make certain he did not die in vain."

  "As can I," Lilyanna said, still staring off in the distance, "however, I do not understand how he is incapable of overcoming the guilt he feels at his brother's death, yet he so readily sets aside any remorse he should feel for leaving his wife and daughter alone for so many years."

  Her feelings escaped her without her realizing, and Lilyanna glanced to Elijah who still gazed in her direction.

  "Forgive me," she said, glancing away as she recalled her mother's advisement to profess only joy. "I should not have spoken such things aloud."

 
; "There is nothing to apologize for when sharing feelings or speaking truths."

  For only a moment, Lilyanna wondered if Elijah was in earnest, but she let out a wry laugh nonetheless. "My mother would disagree with you, sir," she said quietly, "especially concerning gentlemen hearing such things from a woman."

  "Mrs. Crosgrove does not know everything that goes on inside a man's mind."

  Lilyanna's eyes darted to Elijah at his sharp tone, but instead of anger in his eyes as she had suspected, she saw only blunt honesty.

  "Forgive me," he said, his voice softening. "I am speaking out of turn."

  Lilyanna shook her head. "On the contrary, Mr. Bainbridge," she said. "You spoke the truth, just as you advised me to do. My mother does not know everything a gentleman might think."

  She looked down to her horse's gray mane and smoothed out a small knot near the crest. "And I would do well to remember it," she said softly, running her fingers down Silhouette's neck.

  They rode in silence, the only sounds around them being that of horses' hooves stepping onto the soft grass below and the birds flying above with a cheerful twitter.

  Lilyanna thought for a moment about Elijah's comment. Perhaps there were some gentlemen who did want their wives to hide their true feelings, as Mrs. Crosgrove had suggested, however, Lilyanna decided confidently she would rather marry a man who would welcome her feelings, happy or sad, a man who would listen to her no matter what she had to say.

  She turned her head to study Elijah's serious expression, and her heart beat fiercely against her chest as she realized he, Elijah Bainbridge, was the type of gentleman she could picture spending the rest of her life with.

  He glanced over to her and made eye contact, but Lilyanna did not look away, too distracted with her thoughts to realize she stared.

  "Miss Crosgrove," Elijah asked after a few moments, "are you all right?"

  Lilyanna nodded, her gaze still focused on his handsome face. "Yes," she said. "I was only thinking of how different you are than other gentlemen I have known."

  "I hope I am not a disappointment."

  "Quite the opposite, Mr. Bainbridge," Lilyanna said.

  "I am glad to hear it," he said, the smile on his lips causing Lilyanna's heart to flutter.

  They returned their attention back to the trail as they traveled up the hill in a comfortable silence. Every now and again, their horses would wander close together, and Lilyanna's breathing would catch in her throat as her legs brushed up against Elijah's, her flesh breaking out in chills each time it occurred.

  They finally reached the peak of the flat-topped hill after a few minutes passed, and Lilyanna breathed deeply as she saw the view from their vantage point, taking it all in at once.

  Elijah dismounted his horse and walked over to Lilyanna where she remained on the sidesaddle. Their touch lasted only a moment as he helped her down, her fingers trembling against his broad shoulders, his hands wrapped securely around her waist, but Lilyanna felt a thousand butterflies take flight in her stomach. As soon as her boots touched the ground, he released her, and though she smiled with gratitude, she felt her legs turn to jelly.

  They walked side by side to the far end of the hill where they could better see both the small town of Batheaston and the large structures in the center of Bath. Lilyanna could feel her bonnet's ribbons flapping around her neck and over her shoulder in the cool wind, so she placed a hand to her bonnet to keep it in place, squinting her eyes against the heavy gusts. She had never felt so invigorated, knowing her joy came mostly at the presence of the handsome gentleman by her side.

  "It is spectacular, is it not?" Lilyanna asked him.

  "Indeed," Elijah agreed.

  "I never tire of seeing this view," she continued, "though I admit it is much nicer to share it with someone other than myself and Silhouette." She glanced back to her horse who stood near Elijah's, munching on the grass. "All he seems to ever notice is the amount of fresh food there is up here."

  She looked back up to see Elijah watching the horses, as well. "They do make it look rather appetizing, though," he said.

  Lilyanna laughed merrily before they turned back around to enjoy the view. She heard Mr. Lowick's horse whinny in the distance behind them, and she sighed, grateful for the privacy, for the peace and joy she felt in that moment.

  "Thank you, Mr. Bainbridge," she said, feeling the sudden desire to share her gratitude. She looked down to the long, green grass curving up over her boots. "Thank you for letting me speak with you. There are not many gentlemen who would listen to a woman complain as I did."

  "Then they are not gentlemen."

  She looked over to see a scowl on his face. "At any rate, I am grateful for your kindness."

  "I am willing to listen to your troubles any time you should need me, Miss Crosgrove," he said, perusing her face with his dark brown eyes.

  And she knew he spoke the truth.

  They conversed for nearly half an hour as they stood on the hill, but when the winds picked up and the thick clouds blew close to them to perch precariously above their heads, they both agreed to head back to Heatherhill.

  They hastened their pace on their return, not wanting to get caught in the heavy rain, but still managed to speak to one another, Lilyanna enjoying every moment.

  When they reached Heatherhill, they dismounted their horses, and Mr. Lowick led Silhouette away, leaving the two of them entirely alone for the first time since meeting.

  "Thank you for inviting me to accompany you, Mr. Bainbridge," Lilyanna said, smiling up at him. "I had a wonderful time."

  "The pleasure was mine," Elijah said, seeming to hesitate for a moment before reaching out, softly resting his hand on Lilyanna's elbow. "Miss Crosgrove, I am sorry your father is absent more than you should like, but I wish for you to know how grateful I am for your willingness to share your feelings with me. You must be strong to maintain such a kind disposition, all the while withstanding such inner turmoil."

  Lilyanna blinked back her sudden tears after hearing such unexpected praise and kindness. "Thank you, Mr. Bainbridge," she said, clearing her throat.

  Elijah withdrew his hand and nodded. "Until next time we meet, Miss Crosgrove."

  He tipped his hat to her, mounted his horse, and rode away, but Lilyanna remained where she stood, watching his broad shoulders until they disappeared into the thicket of oak trees.

  Chapter Seven

  The last thing Elijah wanted to do at the Hearnshaw's private ball was be in the company of only men, yet he found himself responding to the beckoning call of a small group of young gentlemen who stood near an open doorway as they waited for the evening meal to be announced.

  "How are you faring this evening, Mr. Bainbridge?" Mr. Hodges, a smart looking man with a mustache, asked after Elijah had joined them.

  "Fine, thank you," he responded.

  Elijah looked around to the other men in the group, recognizing Mr. Hodges, Mr. Charleston, and eventually Mr. Terrence Quigley, who scowled unabashedly at Elijah.

  "We were speaking of the young women this season in Bath," Mr. Hodges informed Elijah. "There are quite a few pretty ones, I daresay."

  Elijah did not join in with the murmur of assent traveling through the group, for he could think of only one woman. And the image of Lilyanna brought only a short-lived smile to his face, for he was again reminded of having already danced with her twice that evening, and as her mother would be sure to object to his asking Lilyanna for a third, he would have to suffer without her company for the rest of the ball.

  After he witnessed her being asked to dance by another man, Elijah had occupied his time by wandering the room, speaking with Isaac and Hazel, and drinking refreshments. The only reason he had even chosen to stay was on the small chance of sitting near Lilyanna during the evening's meal, even if she did sit next to another gentleman.

  "They each boast of some beauty or another," said Mr. Charleston, whose flaming red hair curled across his forehead, "but there are a fe
w women who stand out among the rest."

  "Indeed," said Mr. Hodges. "Miss Rosebury is quite a pretty little thing, as is Miss Perkins. And then there is Miss Crosgrove."

  Elijah's gaze instantly moved up from the floor to focus instead on the gentlemen as they spoke.

  "Yes," agreed Mr. Charleston. "It is a pity her mother is so selective, otherwise we would all seek a connection with the young lady."

  "Ah, but Mr. Bainbridge has managed to do so, have you not, sir?" said Mr. Hodges, smoothing out his mustache.

  Each set of eyes focused on Elijah, including Mr. Quigley's, but Elijah only smiled.

  "All right, then," Mr. Hodges continued. "You remain silent, Mr. Bainbridge, but we have all seen the attachment growing between you and Miss Crosgrove."

  "You are quite fortunate, sir," said Mr. Charleston, his red brows raised high upon his forehead, "if Mr. Hodges speaks in earnest."

  "Fortunate?"

  All eyes turned to Mr. Quigley as his dubious words echoed throughout the group.

  "You do not agree, Mr. Quigley," asked Mr. Hodges, "that Miss Crosgrove is rare beauty and any man would be fortunate to marry her?"

  Mr. Quigley snorted in derision. "No, I most certainly do not agree. She is more handsome than some girls out in society, but not by far. I would surely never go so far as to say 'rare.' "

  "Can you see all right, Mr. Quigley?" Mr. Charleston joked.

  Mr. Hodges laughed along with Mr. Charleston, but Elijah seemed not to hear the joke, his gaze never wavering from Mr. Quigley's direction.

  "I am simply being honest," Mr. Quigley continued, clasping his hands behind his back. "And her beauty is not the only way in which she is found wanting."

  "What are you saying, Mr. Quigley?" asked Mr. Hodges.

  "I merely make mention of her unmarried status," Mr. Quigley responded, shrugging his shoulders with a slight smirk on his face. "One can only wonder at the reasons why."

  "And what reasons have you managed to concoct in your simple mind, Mr. Quigley?" Elijah asked, his deep voice booming forth from the group.

  Mr. Charleston and Mr. Hodges looked at him in surprise, but Mr. Quigley only smiled, seemingly satisfied at having caused annoyance to Elijah.