Lord Harrow's Heart

by Susan M. Baganz

  19

  The day after the party, Theo awoke early and went to the kitchen to have Cook prepare a special picnic basket. It was time to get on to the business of seriously wooing his bride.

  He sat in the breakfast parlor and sipped his coffee, awaiting Valeria’s appearance. He grinned in anticipation of spending uninterrupted time alone with her.

  When she appeared, wearing a mauve gown, he marveled again at the blessing in finding a woman whom he could see eye to eye with and as lovely she was.

  She sat to his right with her plate and the footman poured her hot chocolate.

  He dismissed the servant and as the doors to the room closed, he cleared his throat. “Would you go riding with me this morning? I realize you are tired of being cooped up in the house. I would like to show you more of the estate.”

  Valeria peered up at him with a smile slowly spreading over her face. “I would like that above all things. I am an indifferent rider at best, so you would need to be patient with me.”

  “I will help you get better. I have a perfect mount for you and delight in teaching people how to ride.” He winked at her .

  She blushed. “Will it be safe?” She set her cup down in the saucer, every move graceful.

  “I will be armed. We have guards around the estate. We are as safe as we could be.”

  Her smile got brighter. “How soon do you wish to depart?”

  “Finish your breakfast and go change into your riding habit. We will leave when you are ready.”

  The door opened, and they were joined by Marcus and Josie. The conversation flowed to the general niceties of how well yesterday’s party went.

  Valeria rose and trailed her finger along Theo’s back as she walked out of the room to go change.

  Theo pretended he didn’t notice but could not keep himself from a little grin in response which she saw. She responded with a wink and was gone.

  Theo experienced the thrum of anticipation as he excused himself from the table. He limped to the kitchen to grab the basket that Cook had prepared. He headed to the stable into the damp morning air. He could smell the hay and manure mixed in with the scent of fresh cut grass. He inhaled deeply and grinned.

  A young stable-hand, Joe, brought him the two horses he had requested. A gentle brown mare, named Coco for Valeria, and a more spirited white with grey markings, named Penelope. Theo checked the girths and attached his parcel to the back of his. He led the two out into the yard.

  Valeria came down the stairs in a stylish riding habit in a blue that made her hair shimmer in contrast. Her hat was set at a jaunty angle and the smile she gave him took his breath away.

  “This is Coco, she has a sweet temper. I think you will like her.”

  Valeria came up to the horse and petted its nose. “Good morning, Coco. I think you and I will be good friends.” She opened up her hand and revealed a sugar cube that the horse pulled into her mouth. Valeria giggled.

  Theo walked her around to the side and gave her a leg up to the side-saddle. He waited until she was settled and adjusted her stirrup. He moved around to his own horse and pulled up to the saddle. He winced as his thigh tried to rest along the curve of the horse’s body.

  “Are you OK, Theo?”

  He shook his head. “Guess my leg is not as healed as I had hoped.”

  “We can postpone this until you are better.” Her horse skittered to the side, but she patted the mare’s neck and it calmed down.

  “No, I want to spend time with you and the only way to do that right now is to escape the house. I promise I will try not to push too hard.” The pain was easing so he clicked his tongue to the mare and the two horses took off down a side lane into the woods.

  “Are you sure we are safe?”

  Theo shrugged. “As safe as we ever were. We cannot continue to live our lives in fear.”

  They rode side by side down the wide track of beaten down grass under the shade of the trees in full leaf above. The birds sang and flitted around.

  “It is peaceful out here.” Her voice was soft.

  Theo sighed. “It is. One of my favorite things to do when I need to clear my mind, here or in the city, is to escape it all with a horse and the beauty of this world God created.”

  “But you only recently came to believe in God.”

  “True. That doesn’t mean I didn’t appreciate His creation before that or recognize that all of this was here by His hands.”

  She didn’t respond.

  They entered a meadow.

  “Are you up for a gallop?” Theo grinned in anticipation.

  Valeria nodded and was off in a flash, her sweet-tempered mare eager to please.

  Reaching the edge of the meadow neck and neck, Theo enjoyed seeing his wife’s face flushed and her hair falling out of its coiffeur.

  She slowed her horse and turned toward him as they both came to a stop. “That was wonderful!” She smiled at him and Theo became lost in the beauty of her face and form and the endless depths of her brown eyes alight with pure joy.

  He positioned his horse close to hers and leaned over for a light kiss. Pulling back, he nodded. “I agree, that was wonderful.”

  As he pulled away, one gloved hand moved to touch her lips.

  “Let us ride on. There is so much more to show you.”

  Theo took her up and down hills and around to some of the tenant farms. He introduced her to them, but they did not stay to visit. Theo came to a lake further away from the house and moved to get off his horse. He nearly fell as the muscles in his leg complained about the abuse it had endured. He clutched his thigh as he held on to his horse for balance. Blast it. Now is not the time to appear weak. You want to woo your wife not make her play nursemaid.

  “Theo?”

  Concern laced her voice. She was on the other side of the horse so could not really see him in his agony. He struggled to stand up straight and hoped he could hide his pain. “I will get you down.” He tied off the reins to a low hanging branch, limped over to Valeria, and bracing himself carefully, he helped her dismount.

  After she had her feet on the ground, she stood with her body flushed to his and he leaned in again for a longer kiss. I could really get used to doing this for the rest of my life. Her arms reached up around his neck and he let his wander up her back. Soon he had her hat on the ground and the few remaining pins out of her hair. When they came up for air he stepped back and gazed into her eyes. Both were breathing heavily. Theo momentarily forgot the pain in his leg.

  She licked her swollen lips.

  Theo was tempted to resume the activity. His stomach rumbled.

  She giggled.

  “I guess that’s my cue for us to eat lunch.” He turned to get the basket and his leg gave up supporting him. He would have hit the ground if Valeria had not been quick to keep him from falling.

  “Your leg?”

  He nodded and bit his lip to keep from crying out due to the sharp pain that radiated through his entire body.

  “We should go back to the house.”

  “I don’t think I can get back on my horse right now.” Theo leaned on Valeria as they made it to a spot under the tree.

  She left him standing with his back against the tree, then went to his horse to get a blanket and the basket containing their picnic lunch. Valeria spread the blanket out, helped ease Theo down onto it, and sat next to him.

  Her eyes flashed and narrowed. “You are most definitely a buffleheaded idiot. You are not healed enough but insist on coming out here to spend time away from the house.”

  “With you.”

  “What?”

  “I wanted to be alone with my wife.” Theo was gritting his teeth as he talked, as much from anger as pain. He reached into the basket and pulled out a bottle of wine. Popping the cork, he drank from the bottle and handed it to Valeria.

  “It would serve you well for me to leave you and send your friends for you.” She set the wine aside, pulled out the food, and arranged it in front of them.


  “If I am not better by the time we are done here, you may leave me and go for help.” Theo leaned his head against the tree and took a bite of some cold chicken.

  “Why can’t you take better care of yourself? Don’t you realize Dartanian and I need you?” Tears trailed down her face.

  “Sweetheart, I know you need me. You were right. I was an idiot. But not having you in my bed every night has been driving me crazy. I could not wait any longer to try to find a way to let you know how much I love and admire you and long to be a real husband to you.” Theo put his arm around her shoulder and drew her to his chest. She melted into him and he kissed the top her head.

  Valeria looked up at him.

  He could not resist any more. He tipped his head and kissed her.

  When they finally came up for air Theo leaned his head back again to savor the moment. The bees buzzed nearby and the birds sang in the trees. The soft wind rustling the leaves above and the bright sun winking at them through the branches created a perfect setting for their courtship.

  “I’m still angry with you,” Valeria whispered as she snuggled close. She handed him the bottle of wine and he drank deeply. He offered it to her and she took a sip.

  “I’m sorry I have not been the husband you needed me to be. I’m new at this and to be honest, I’m scared.”

  She pulled back and sat up, looking at him. “I scare you?”

  “Being a husband scares me.”

  Valeria’s head tipped to the side and her hand came up to caress his cheek. It sent waves of desire through him. “Why would being a husband scare you? You are a wonderful provider and protector. Dartanian adores you. I adore you.”

  “But I have not loved you the way a man should love his wife.” Heat rushed to Theo’s face.

  Valeria frowned. “I’m not happy about that, but in your defense, you had a broken leg. I think it is rather foolish for you to abandon your splint so early. You limped a lot yesterday and were in pain last night. I’m not sure you’ve yet fully recovered from your injury.”

  “So, what excuse do you give me for the days, and nights, before that?” Theo’s gaze challenged her.

  “I thought perhaps you regretted marrying me because you needed to. I wouldn’t have blamed you.”

  “I would have wed you because I wanted to. I didn’t need that silly will to force my hand. Perhaps you forgot that I proposed to you before that?”

  She smiled but wouldn’t meet his gaze. Her finger traced a design on the blanket. “How could I forget? You were like an eager puppy salivating after a bone.”

  “What an attractive image.”

  “Well, you are cuddly.” She grinned.

  Theo sighed. “I don’t understand why you would even want me. I have no experience.”

  “Experience? What are you talking about?” Valeria asked

  “You thought I had abstained from brothels?”

  “No. Of course not. I understand men partake of that before marriage, but I expect you to be faithful now.”

  “I was faithful to you before I ever met you,” Theo asserted.

  Her head tilted as she looked at him, her eyes searching his face. “How could you…”

  Theo knew the moment she understood. He looked away out to the lake where a family of ducks was swimming near the shore. He sighed.

  “Theo?” A finger touched his chin and brought his face back towards her. “You’ve never…?”

  “Never.” Shame infused him.

  Valeria smiled and leaned in for a kiss. When she pulled away he longed to follow her, for more. He thought of the image of an eager puppy and leaned back. When would he learn?

  “I think that’s wonderful.”

  His gaze snapped to hers. “You do?”

  She grinned. “I do. You don’t need to be afraid. I can teach you.” She leaned in for another kiss. He tipped over and she rolled with him. His thigh protested but was soon forgotten.

  A click brought him to awareness that they were not alone. They both looked up at the barrel of a gun pointed at where their heads had been joined.

  Lord Wolton gave an evil grin.

  ~*~

  “What do we have here? The lovebirds have flown the nest and right into my hands. How convenient.” He took a step back and motioned them to stand. “Get up.”

  Valeria fought against the fear that exploded in her heart. She stood first and helped Theo up.

  He leaned heavily against her.

  Wolton grinned. “That leg still bothering you, Lord Harrow?” He laughed. “It won’t be bothering you much longer.” He motioned in front of them. “Move.”

  “Where are we going?” Valeria asked.

  “You want some privacy? I’ll give you some privacy.”

  They stumbled a bit down the hill toward the lake and a small dock with a wooden rowboat.

  Lord Wolton motioned them to the dock. He pulled out some rope and grabbed Theo’s hands. “No funny business or I’ll shoot her dead before you can blink.” Wolton pulled Theo’s hands behind his back and tied them tight. Then he did the same for Valeria. “Get in the boat.”

  “We can’t get in without someone to assist us.” Valeria stood tall, trying to hide her shaking.

  “I’ll help you.” Wolton shoved her off the dock.

  She landed on her hip and one of the arms tied behind her, hitting the inside of the boat hard. She yelped in pain.

  Theo spoke. “I will get in without your assistance.” In spite of his bold words he struggled to lower his leg into the boat. It collapsed beneath him dragging the other one off the doc and almost tipping him over the side.

  Wolton quickly untied the boat and pushed it hard towards the middle of the lake. The momentum took them a distance from the shore.

  “What do you think he’s planning, Theo?” Valeria asked.

  Theo whispered, “I don’t know but sound carries over the water—shhhh. When we get far enough out we will tip the boat over.”

  She couldn’t believe it. How much wine did he drink? “I can’t swim, Theo, and my arms are tied behind my back.”

  “Wolton doesn’t know this lake. I do. It will only come to about your shoulders. If we tip the boat upside down, we can hide under it. He will think we’ve drowned, but we can stay safe.”

  Wolton paced along the shore. His holding his rifle. “How far can he shoot us with that?”

  Theo looked over his shoulder. “Quite far. But those bullets will not get far through the wood of this boat if we tip it. Keep an eye on him. Do you have any weapons on you?”

  “Weapons. Why would I bring a weapon with me when you assured me it would be safe and we were going on a picnic?”

  Theo looked at her. “Do you?”

  Valeria blushed.

  Theo smiled. “That’s my girl. What and where?”

  “I have a knife strapped to my right thigh. I cannot reach it with my hands tied.”

  “But when we are under the boat, out of his sight, I can get it and try to cut your ropes.”

  Valeria’s eyes were wide. She was filled with fear. “I don’t think I can do this.”

  “You can, and you will.” Theo looked her in the eyes. “I love you. Trust me.”

  She glanced to him, and then back to the shore. “I love you too, Theo. He’s raising the gun.”

  “Then now is the time to act. To the right, and try to grab the boat to take it with us.”

  “I don’t know...”

  A shot rang out singing past Theo’s ear.

  “Now!” he hissed.

  The boat jerked and together they went over the side. The small wooden craft turned over in the water.

  Valeria sank under the water, confused. She struggled with her skirts floating up around her. Theo came to her under the water as she was losing air. He pushed her body up. They broke the surface but were not under the boat.

  “Quick. Duck under here.”

  She obeyed him and soon they were in the darkness of the boat, not
able to fully stand upright. She shivered from the cold and terror.

  “I’ll try to get that knife.”

  Theo took a breath and sank under the water. With hands tied behind his back he awkwardly moved her skirts out of the way. Touching her thigh, he soon found the strap, and then the knife. He slid it out carefully, and then came back up gasping for air.

  “You got it!” Relief washed over her.

  “I did. Turn. I’ll try to cut your rope. Tell me if I get close to your hands or wrist. I don’t want to slip and cut you.”

  “Can you do this under water?”

  This seemed futile.

  “Not easily. Just pray I don’t slip and drop it.” They both turned around until their backs were to each other.

  She could feel the pressure against her wrists as the ropes were stretched. She could feel him sawing, slowed by the water that sloshed around them.

  The boat moved banging them in the head.

  Lord, please help us!

  Gun shots were heard. A few hit the boat.

  Valeria gasped. “Theo?”

  “Hold steady. We are safer here than anywhere else for the moment.”

  The cords loosened, and she was able to break free. “You did it!” She turned around, carefully took the knife, and began sawing through the wet rope around his wrists. It took forever, and her fingers were numb from the cold water. She shivered uncontrollably.

  “You are doing great, Valeria,” Theo whispered.

  She could feel tremors going through his body. “How is your leg?” she asked softly.

  “It is easier to stand in the water than on land. But I banged it getting in the boat. If we have to run, I’ll not be able to.”

  “Will we be alive long enough?”

  “I pray he gives up and assumes we’re dead, or that our friends find him first.”

  “They don’t even know where we are.”

  Theo was quiet. Too quiet.

  “Theo?” Valeria had a sneaking suspicion he knew something she didn’t. “Do your friends know where we are?”