Selina stepped forward, pulling an apple from her pocket and offering it to the mare, who stepped forward to take it with her teeth. Selina murmured to her in a low voice as the horse munched the treat.
“Come, Lady Leah,” the Duke said, leading her over to a grey mare who was a little on the rotund side. Leah stood, a little disappointed. “This is Flora. My mother’s had her for years. She’s very even tempered.”
Leah looked at him, curiously. “Why did you purchase Aphrodite? She looks like a lady’s horse.”
He laughed. “She is a lady’s horse. She takes skill, however. She’s young and very feisty. I’ve not seen you ride in years, My Lady, and I don’t want you to have more horse than you can handle.”
Leah nodded. She glanced over at Aphrodite, becoming very excited. He must have bought her for Leah. He must have—and was planning to train her up a bit before presenting her as a wedding gift. She glanced over at the grey mare. She did feel better about riding her. But she wanted to ride Aphrodite. She supposed that she’d have to prove to him that she was able to ride and ride well.
Jasper rode Pilot beside Lady Leah on Flora. Just ahead of them, Lady Selina and Stephen rode side by side, chatting affably. From where he was, Jasper could only catch parts of their discussion. Lady Selina rode Aphrodite with skill.
The young mare, who had a bit of a fiery attitude, was as docile as a kitten when handled by a skilled rider. He was watching an expert at work. Not to mention, Selina, in her dark-green riding habit looked like a picture on top of the dark and delicate mare. Faith rode just a little way behind her mistress, always present, silently listening to everything that was going on.
It was why he’d purchased Aphrodite—with Selina in mind. He was dying to talk to her, but as soon as he’d arrived, Stephen had skillfully maneuvered, so that he was the gentleman riding beside her.
Several grooms had come with them, and they were riding a short distance behind them. They were armed with pistols. Jasper and Stephen both had pistols of their own. They were well-armed, as well as prepared, and they would remain on the grounds of the Gillingham estate.
They rode across the estate, riding through the little wood that covered part of the Gillingham Manor estate. They rode near to Reuben’s little lodge, which looked oddly deserted—no smoke rose from the chimneys. Not a soul stirred on the grounds.
When he glanced over at Lady Leah, she was frowning. “How absolutely rustic,” she commented.
“Rueben doesn’t require much,” he replied. His brother’s tastes were simple. He kept the house in good condition, but it was neither elegant nor impressive, like Gillingham Manor.
“It’s so old and plain,” she stated. “I’m so glad that Gillingham Manor is so much more aesthetically pleasing.”
“I’m glad you think so, My Lady.”
“I absolutely love our future home,” she said, with pride. She was smiling at him, clearly meaning it to be a compliment of the highest order. He smiled back, checking himself. He swallowed nervously. He needed to tell her.
Now was, naturally, the worst time to do so. Lady Leah was clearly uncomfortable on a horse. Her back was very straight, and she was pulling back on the reins so that Flora kept stopping.
“You know, My Lady,” he said. “You shouldn’t keep pulling like that. She’s very well-trained, and you can simply guide her with the reins.”
Lady Leah blinked. “Yes. Yes, of course.” She placed her hands down, loosening the reins so Flora could move her head freely. The mare trundled forward, doing her best to remain in step with Pilot, whose stride was long and easy.
“Much better, My Lady,” Jasper assured her. His praise brought a broad smile to her face.
Selina was having a wonderful time. The sun was shining down on their ride. There was a gentle breeze, she and Lord Sandbourne were having a jolly conversation, and Aphrodite was an absolute gem of a horse.
She wondered if she could get Jasper to lend Aphrodite to her—permanently.
“So, how are you finding our quiet little corner of England?” Lord Sandbourne asked her.
“I love it here,” she said. “It’s so green, and the air is so fresh.” She couldn’t help but disagree with the term “quiet.” Gillingham County had been anything but quiet. But there was no reason to bring that up and spoil the mood.
“It is that,” he agreed, with a laugh.
“Was that Lord Munro’s house that we just passed?” she asked, gesturing with her chin in the direction of the neat and moderately-sized house that they were traveling past.
“It is, indeed,” Lord Sandbourne said. “It’s very cozy, inside, though it may not look it from here.”
“Are you often there?” she asked.
“No, My Lady,” Lord Sandbourne said. “Lord Munro is more often found at Gillingham Manor.” A man on a horse issued from the gates of the lodge. She recognized Jasper’s brother—he had the same set of shoulders as Jasper. From far off, the two looked strikingly similar.
“Oh, look! It’s Lord Munro!” Selina said. “I believe he’s coming to join us!”
Rueben rode toward them. He was smiling widely as he touched the brim of his hat.
“I’m so sorry that I’m late,” he said breathlessly. “I had something which required my immediate attention.”
“And all is well?” Selina asked, finding herself very curious to know what had kept him.
“All is now well, My Lady,” he assured her.
“Reuben!” Jasper said brightly as he and Leah joined the group. “Good of you to join us!”
The riders suddenly shuffled. Leah rode up beside Lord Munro. “We’ve missed you, Lord Munro,” she said. Lord Sandbourne rode on Leah’s other side.
“Well, I wouldn’t have missed the luncheon by the lake for the world!” Lord Munro assured them all.
Selina found herself riding behind them, next to Jasper. She looked over at him and smiled. He cut an impressive figure, dressed in his dark green coat while riding Pilot. He smiled at her, but his eyes looked exhausted, bereft.
“What’s the matter?” she whispered to him, relieved that they could finally talk, away from prying ears.
He replied to her in a low voice. “You didn’t show up yesterday. You didn’t send word. So, all I could think was that something awful had happened, or that you didn’t love me anymore.”
“I couldn’t send word,” she replied, her eyes on the rest of the group in front of them. They were far enough back that if she spoke quietly, then only the grooms and Faith might overhear them. Luckily, Maria had stuck by her lady’s side and was safely out of hearing. “My uncle’s servants are to report to him whenever I sneak out of the house. I’m in very big trouble for doing so the other day. Not to mention, I don’t know how I can tell him my real reason for doing so.” She flicked her eyes in his direction.
He blinked, glancing forward. He was silent.
“Do you like the horse?” he asked.
“Aphrodite? She’s a peach,” she replied, beaming delightfully.
“I bought her for you.”
“Oh.” She didn’t know what to say to that. Her eyes lowered to the mare’s seal-sleek neck. She didn’t think that anyone had ever given her a gift that she loved as much as she did this horse.
“Why do you sound so surprised?”
“I—” She looked down at her hands, her eyelashes brushing her cheeks. “This makes it all rather real, doesn’t it?”
“Indeed,” he said.
“I’m sorry that you were upset,” she said. “My hands were tied.”
“I apologize for getting you in trouble.”
They rode in silence for a few moments. Selina felt relieved—everything was right between them again. They’d come to an even deeper understanding than they’d had before.
“I’d love to see how she handles a good canter,” Selina commented brightly.
He beamed at her, then turned toward the others. “The Lady would like to see how Aphrodit
e handles a canter. We’ll meet you all over by the lake.”
They spoke among themselves, then Lord Sandbourne turned to yell back, “Lady Leah would like to continue going slowly. Never fear—Lord Munro and I will accompany her safely to our destination!”
Jasper glanced over at Selina, who smiled wickedly. They both moved off of the path, angling their horses into the vast green meadow. Selina urged Aphrodite into a smooth, rolling canter.
Behind them, one of the grooms and Faith followed closely, the sounds of their mounts’ hooves a reminder that they could never truly be alone, as things currently stood.
They both rode through the fields, headed for the small silver slip of the lake, which sat at the center of the Gillingham Estate. She felt like she was flying—Aphrodite had a smooth gait. Beside her, Jasper and Pilot kept pace easily.
“He could go much faster, couldn’t he?” she asked with a laugh.
“He could,” he replied.
They reached the lake in record time. They could still see the others. Faith and the groom who had accompanied them, waited.
Jasper jumped down off of Pilot, then walked over to help Selina dismount from her side saddle. She got down easily without help. He arrived by her side just as her feet landed on the soft ground. Jasper turned to help Faith down, instead.
They all stood beside their mounts. Selina produced another apple for Aphrodite, as well as one for Pilot.
“What else do you have in those pockets?” he wondered curiously.
“Just apples, unfortunately,” she said, scratching Aphrodite’s forehead. “She’s lovely.”
“I’m glad you two get along,” he murmured. She beamed. He was pleased. He had expected it to go well, and it had.
From far off, Lord Sandbourne waved. Selina raised her hand and waved back.
“This was a good idea,” she said.
“Lady Leah’s, actually.” He couldn’t take credit for the idea, after all. Lady Leah had surprised him with her sudden interest.
“Shocking,” she murmured.
“Extremely.”
“She’s trying, you know.”
“I know,” he replied, sadly. “She’ll find someone better, of course. Hopefully, someone who loves her like I love you.”
She smiled, her eyes on the others, as they rode toward them. “I can’t look at you right now, or they’ll all know.”
“Look at me,” he demanded gently, his heart pounding. “Selina. Look at me.”
There was a beat, and then she looked at him, her love for him evident in her eyes, and the way that they shone. His desire to have her, all for himself, was burning through his veins. He held her gaze for a full moment.
She licked her pink lips, her tongue darting over them. He thought of taking her to his bed—where she would be his, body and soul. He exhaled, tearing his eyes away to find the others nearing them. He smiled at them as he swallowed.
“Whatever are you two talking about so cozily?” Leah demanded. Selina looked at her cousin.
“How lovely today is,” Selina replied, looking up at the sky.
Jasper followed her gaze. She was right, of course. The sky was a dizzying display of blue.
As the Duke helped her down from her horse, Leah felt annoyed. Her moment alone with the Duke had been ruined again, by Selina, of course. She wasn’t prepared to go fast. She had never liked to go fast.
She noted the way that he looked at her cousin—it was sickening. But all gentlemen looked at Selina in that way. The grooms had spread out a picnic blanket for them, and they all gathered on it.
Leah opened the picnic basket, taking out the plates. She handed the bottle of wine over to Selina, who began to take out the glasses. They all began to eat as the ladies handed out the drinks and the little sandwiches, cakes, and the fresh strawberries that had been brought from Gillingham Manor.
Leah ate, enjoying the fresh strawberries the most. The strawberry plants at Gillingham Manor were second to none in the entire county. The Dowager Duchess had become legendary for them. One more thing which Leah planned to continue.
“It’s the perfect time of the year for a wedding,” Lord Sandbourne commented.
“Yes, it is,” Leah agreed. “That’s why His Grace and I chose it for ours, originally.” Leah smiled over at the Duke. His mouth was slack. She supposed he, too, was disappointed. Their wedding day would have been only a few days thence. “I suppose the summer will be just as good, though.”
“Lady Leah,” Lord Munro began, “When, pray tell, will we finally see you wed to my brother?”
Leah glanced over at the Duke, who answered for her. “Once we have the individuals who are running havoc about the county.”
“We’re quite safe out here,” Reuben pointed out. “Why not have a little wedding? With just the two families and some people from the neighborhood?”
“I’ve always wanted a large wedding,” she said.
“She did plan a very large one,” the Duke added. “With many guests coming from all over England.”
“Although,” Leah said, looking at the Duke. “Perhaps, we should rethink it.”
The Duke was not smiling. “We could discuss it,” he allowed carefully. “Later.”
Excitement rose within Leah. Perhaps, a small wedding would be just the thing! Only the two of them, and their closest relations. She beamed over at Lord Munro. What a help he was! She was so lucky to have him for a future brother-in-law. He raised his glass to her, then sipped it.
Jasper was exhausted, and the wine and food were making him even sleepier. He knew that Reuben was trying to be a help, but he had no idea what he was talking about. He wondered why he hadn’t told his brother. After all, his mother knew.
When he glanced over at Selina, she was looking down at her hands. The desire for her uncoiled in the pit of his stomach. It was absolutely tormenting him. His earlier, ungentlemanly thoughts were still foremost in his mind. Seeing her there, biting her lip again, drove him to distraction. He knew the taste of her lips, craved it.
He looked over at Leah, who was smiling as she ate more strawberries. She was glowing. Perhaps Reuben’s prodding could be helpful. He could use the moment to tell Leah what was truly in his heart.
Perhaps, she would see reason if he could do it delicately enough. She raised her eyes, smiling at him. He had the worst feeling about it. He smiled back, then turned his eyes toward the sky. He could see clouds, beginning to roll in.
“Perhaps we should be heading back,” he suggested.
Chapter Nineteen
Selina and Leah were driven back to Kirby Hall in the barouche-landau with Faith and Maria. The two cousins were quiet as they went. Selina’s mind was as full as her heart was. To think that he’d bought a horse—for her.
They both alighted from the carriage, their maids trailing behind them. It was just beginning to rain as they walked quickly up the steps toward the front door.
“Naturally, it starts raining before we reach home,” Leah mused fretfully.
“Of course,” Selina agreed as the door opened to admit them.
“Ladies,” Mr. Wickes said, stepping aside so they could enter. “How was your ride?”
“Wonderful, Mr. Wickes,” Selina said. “The weather was perfect, up until the very end.”
“It was a bit warm,” Leah stated, wrinkling her nose. “And I smell horrid.”
“There’s a letter for you, My Lady,” Mr. Wickes said to Selina. He produced it, handing it to her.
“Thank you, Mr. Wickes,” Selina said, recognizing her brother’s handwriting. She hurried up the stairs, so that she could read it alone.
As soon as she closed the door after her, she popped the wax seal, unfolding the letter. It was disappointingly short.
My Dear Selina,
I believe it’s high time for me to be leaving Lord Merriweather’s. I was considering coming to you, in Gillingham County. Perhaps you could see if Uncle Latimer and Aunt Georgiana would be able to put up wit
h my presence? I’d love to see Leah’s wedding, if possible.
You know how much I love weddings.
Warm Regards,
Thomas
Selina laughed to herself. Her brother hated weddings. However, she could read the subtext of the message easily. He and Lord Merriweather had a disagreement of some sort. She was curious to know the reason behind it.
Despite the rain, Jasper rode out to Reuben’s lodge. He hadn’t been out there in a while. He figured, if Reuben needed assistance with something, then he’d be best able to offer it in person.
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