by Dawn Brower
Fletcher set the bucket next to the wall, then he approached the ladies. “Miss Strange, I’d be more than happy to accompany you to the paddocks. I’ve been around horses since I was no bigger than a cricket and I can assure you no harm will come to you or Bethany while I’m there.”
“Oh, please, Miss Strange?” Bethany turned her face up to her governess. “You’ll like the horses, I promise.”
Miss Strange’s gaze flicked toward the manor, then back to the little girl. “All right. It’s very kind of you to accompany us, Mr. Nash.”
“It means so much to me.” Bethany grabbed his hand. “Let’s hurry. Little Dan will be wondering what’s keeping us.”
Her tiny hand, swallowed by his rough, callused one was as delicate as a bird. Fletcher swallowed the knot in his throat. One that cropped up every time Bethany came around. She reminded him of everything missing from his life. Teaching her to ride, watching her grow more confident and listening to her chiming laugh was gut-wrenching torture.
Miss Strange stared at him, her big, wide eyes searching his features.
He’d let his mood slip again. Bethany rarely noticed. She’d come to accept his quiet ways. Her governess pinched her lips and pasted on a smile although her discomfort came through in the stiff way she moved.
Bethany bounced across the grass to the paddock. She lifted her hand to her mouth and let out a piercing whistle.
Miss Strange started, then pressed her hand to her chest. “Goodness, child.”
Bethany grinned.
Little Dan, Duff, and Oro raised their heads from grazing. The pony whirled, his dark mane and tail flying as he tore across the ground on his short legs and raced to the fence.
The horses followed at a more leisurely pace.
Bethany let go of Fletcher’s hand to meet her pony. She offered the first sugar cube on the flat of her palm. “There you are, special boy.”
When he lipped it from her palm, she ran her fingers through his forelock.
“I’ll come ride you tomorrow. Today is important. It’s my duty to make Miss Strange feel welcome at Camprich Manor. You understand.” She stroked his jaw. “Yes, you’re a gentleman. Come meet Little Dan, Miss Strange. Let him get your scent.”
Miss Strange met Fletcher’s gaze. “Is it safe?”
“I’ve crossed paths with some mean ponies in my day, but there’s not a cross bone in Little Dan’s body. He’s gentle as a lamb.”
“Very well.” Miss Strange drew in a breath. She crossed to stand beside Bethany. “Hello, small horse. It’s very good to meet you.”
Bethany giggled. “He’s a pony! It’s different than a horse. Horses are over fourteen hands high.”
“Oh, this one must be a strapping ten hands, at least.” Miss Strange turned her hands palm up in a shrug. “He’s a stout little fellow.”
“I tell him that he’s handsome every day.” Bethany caressed his cheek again. “All right, all right, back away. Let Duff and Oro have a sugar cube.”
The other two waited a short distance away, ears perked as they watched.
Bethany reached toward Oro.
Miss Strange leaned on the fence. “I’ve never seen a horse that color. What is it?”
“A palomino. Oro means gold in Spanish.” Fletcher rested his arms on the fence. “He’s a quarter running horse. Fast, but mostly used for cow work. I brought him here from Texas. He didn’t like the crossing. Refused to eat and lost a lot of weight. It never occurred to me that horses might get seasick. I don’t know if I’ll take Oro back to the States.”
“Do you plan to return?” Miss Strange lifted an eyebrow.
“Not in the immediate future. My life is here right now.” They’d probably lay him to rest in the shady cemetery in Upper Enggate. England wasn’t his first choice for a place to live, but going back to Texas would be too painful.
“Did you train that horse yourself?”
Oro came to him, sniffing for another sugary treat.
“From the time he was a colt. He was born on my father’s place. A gift for my eighteenth birthday.” He scratched the gelding’s nose. “If you ever take the notion to learn riding, I’d be happy to saddle him for you.”
“It’s very kind, but I’m sure I won’t take you up on the offer.” She took a step backward when Oro sniffed at her. “No insult meant to either of you. He’s a beautiful animal.”
“He’s been a good companion on plenty of lonely nights.”
“You live alone?”
His breath caught. “Yes.” Now.
“I’ve always been alone. Even surrounded by others. It’s lonely, but it’s afforded me the ability and the time to expand my education. I like to read. I suppose it’s fortunate that loneliness led me here.” Her gaze settled on Bethany, who shooed Little Dan away from Duff while the horse crunched on his sugar cube. “I think I’m going to like it here.”
“You don’t have any family?” It wasn’t his business, but a sadness lingered in Miss Strange’s voice.
“I’m an orphan. My last employer brought me into her home as a companion to her youngest daughter. Of all things, because her daughter was painfully shy and tended to blend into a crowd. I was there to mend her wallflower ways and…” She gestured to her face. “To make her appear more attractive.”
Fletcher gritted his teeth. “You’re joking.”
“No. She wasn’t unattractive, but she tended to get overlooked because of her quietness. With me standing next to her, people began to notice her. Lady Easton dressed her daughter in bright colors and dressed me in dull ones. I became what she was—the plain, boring girl. And believe it or not, her mother’s idea truly worked. Lizette became popular.”
“That’s terrible.” How could someone exploit another person for her plain features? Use it to make her dull daughter into something better?
“It came with many benefits. As I said, a fine education. Shelter, food, clothing, trips to the Continent. A friend who was very nearly my sister. I wasn’t the Easton’s blood by any means, but they treated me well.” She clasped her hands together and looked down at the ground. “I had it much worse in the orphan home.”
It didn’t seem fair, even with the benefits she’d received. “Why did you leave their employment?”
“Lizette met a young man last Season. She was married recently. I was no longer needed.”
“You couldn’t catch a beau during one of those Seasons?”
She smiled, though it held a trace of bitterness. “It was never my place to draw a beau. I was supposed to turn any man’s attentions—not that there were many—to Lizette.”
He held back a curse word. “They told you to do that?”
“Lady Easton insisted upon it.” Her smile lost the brittle quality. “I didn’t tell you that for your pity, Mr. Nash. I don’t know why I told you, but don’t feel bad for me.”
“I don’t.” It was a lie and surely she knew. “I just can’t believe people—even upper class people—would do that to someone. Then to turn you out.”
“Lady Easton wrote a very nice recommendation for me. I had several offers for governess positions. I liked this one the best because it was far away from London.” She turned toward Bethany. “I’m glad I accepted it. Miss Bethany seems lonely. I hope I can lift that from her.”
“She is. That’s why she spends so much time down here with the horses. She can talk to them and they never question her or judge her. All they care about is treats and a good grooming. I like her company. She’s curious and bright. She makes me miss—” He bit his tongue. “Miss that youthful innocence when a horse was my best friend too.”
“I don’t want her to be a bother. Now that I’m here, I’ll gladly keep her occupied if you find she’s in the way.”
However much it hurt to watch Bethany prance around the stables and bring up painful reminders of his life in Texas, he couldn’t imagine not having her around. “No, she’s never been a bother. She listens well and she knows better than to go
around the other horses. Don’t keep her away.”
Miss Strange’s smile grew. “If you’re certain. Then I suppose I’m going to spend many afternoons out here watching her ride Little Dan.”
“Whatever it takes to make the baron’s daughter happy, that’s what we do around here. She won’t have many years left until her mother drags her to London to debut in her first Season.”
She nodded. “She’ll be a graceful lady, I hope. And an accomplished rider.”
“Hopefully whoever she marries will have a big stable. She won’t be content without one.”
Bethany made her way to them. “I’m out of sugar cubes. We can return to the gardens, Miss Strange. If you’re ready.”
“That’s a good idea. There’s still much to see. Thank you for the conversation, Mr. Nash. Have a pleasant evening.” Miss Strange smiled at him again. It softened her face and lightened her eyes.
“You too. Ladies.” He tipped his hat at them.
Chapter 3
The nursery had been converted into a learning environment for Bethany. A large slate took up one wall. A small desk solely occupied the middle of the room, while another larger desk sat in the corner for Jayne. The walls were cheerful yellow and a large window overlooked the garden.
Bethany wagged a piece of chalk between the fingers of her right hand, her chin propped up by her left, as she stared out the window. Rain had passed through earlier, but now the sun brightened the afternoon.
Though eager to learn and already reading at a high level, she often got distracted after lunch. The chalk flew from her fingers as she flipped it. When it hit the floor, the piece broke in half.
She slipped out of her chair to pick up the pieces. “Sorry, Miss Jayne. I’m hopeless this afternoon. All I can think of is getting outside to ride Little Dan. I’m afraid I have spring fever.”
“What in the world is spring fever?” It sounded like a silly malady made up to account for laziness.
“Mr. Nash says it’s when you feel restless because of spring. He says it often strikes him after the equinox. He would prefer to take Oro out and ride from one end of the country to the other. I think that might be the cowboy in him. They’re wild, you know. Only a bit more tame than American Indians.” Bethany’s eyes were wild and glowing. “Papa saw his show, but he wouldn’t take me. He said there were hundreds of Indians in the show. I would like to meet an Indian.”
Jayne suppressed a shudder. If she never met an Indian, she would fare just fine. “Spring fever or not, you have arithmetic to finish. Once that’s done, we can spend some time outside.”
Bethany glanced down at her slate and sighed. “Must we continue?”
“You’ll understand the importance of mathematics when you’re a grown lady managing a household.”
“Perhaps I won’t have a household.” Bethany lifted her chin. “I wish to travel all over the world. You can’t take a house with you.”
“Who will manage your funds while you do this traveling?”
Bethany’s lips pinched as she thought. “A manager. Papa has a stable manager. I shall have a travel manager.”
Jayne almost laughed at her pupil’s serious expression. “What if this travel manager cheats you out of money? What if he leaves you penniless in a foreign country?”
“I’ll hire someone I can trust. You or Mr. Nash.”
Flattering. “What if I marry or Mr. Nash decides to return to Texas?”
“Must you be so impossible, Miss Jayne?” Bethany collapsed into her seat. “Either of you would want to come with me. We’d have marvelous adventures.”
“I have no doubt. You do provide the best entertainment. Come now, finish those equations and we’ll see what Little Dan is up to.” Jayne rounded her desk, then went to Bethany’s. “Do you need help?”
“No, it’s just dull work. I don’t like numbers as much as words.” Bethany rubbed her chalk against the edge of the slate. She sighed. “I’ll try to hurry.”
Jayne went to the window. A breeze—slightly chilly—ruffled the heavy curtains. The stables were positioned on the opposite side of the house. No horses in sight, but the blooms in the garden called to mind fairy realms. A giant weeping willow at the center of the garden on its own small island while the water around it sparkled under the sun. Tiny fuzzy buds clung to the willow’s long, drooping limbs. The gardeners had taken care of the lawn, trimming the grass short and leaving the scent of it to fill the air.
The Eastons had a garden at their townhouse, but nothing like this. And no matter which part of London one visited, a slight reek of city always hung in the air. Here, she might catch a whiff of livestock, but never of offal-strewn streets. The noise level, too, held much appeal as she slept through the night without waking to the city sounds. Though she was without friends here, life was far improved by clear air and peaceful nights. And really, the company wasn’t so bad. Bethany was usually in bed by eight in the evening, which left Jayne plenty of reading time. Bethany didn’t rise until seven in the morning, so Jayne enjoyed the break of dawn unhindered. The servants were people, though distant and quiet enough that the house might have been occupied by mice instead of humans.
If anyone cared to ask how she liked Camprich Manor, she wouldn’t hesitate to give her glowing opinion. Perhaps it had something to do with the absence of her employers, but there was freedom in teaching how she liked and taking breaks when it seemed Bethany truly needed them.
“Miss Jayne, I’ve finished.” Bethany laid her chalk aside. “I have the worst hand cramp.”
“No wonder, as you finished in a hurry. I hope you thought the problems through and didn’t guess.”
“I tried my best. Honestly.” Bethany’s solemn expression turned into a smile as she rose, then stretched. “Now may I go visit Little Dan?”
“Let’s change clothes first. Something proper for riding.”
The girl had a darling riding outfit the maid had mentioned was an exact replica of her mother’s. Bethany had asked for it specifically after Lord Camprich presented it to his wife. Though Bethany claimed Lady Camprich wasn’t much for horses.
“I’ll return in a moment. Please excuse me.” Bethany bolted from the room as though hounds sought her.
Jayne laughed. Bethany’s enthusiasm for life made it impossible to dwell on the melancholy thoughts that had dogged Jayne since Lizette’s wedding. Why remain stuck in the past when she had a perfectly lovely situation here?
She met Bethany on the landing and they went down to the stables together.
A golden horse raced across the flat expanse behind the stables. Oro and Mr. Nash executed a quick turn and the horse slid to a stop.
Mr. Nash urged the gelding backward a few steps, then pulled the reins, turning the horse in a short circle. With the nudge of heels, the pair took off again.
“Magnificent. What a beautiful display.” The horse’s coat gleamed under the sun like the ore he was named for.
“I’ve already asked Papa if I could have a running horse when I grow too big for Little Dan. I want one just like Oro. He said he would give it some thought. I hope that means yes.”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” She couldn’t take her gaze away from the horse and rider. They moved together in sync, two marvelous dancers gliding over the grass. He slowed the horse, letting the animal walk for a few moments.
Mr. Nash turned Oro toward them. He drew the gelding to a trot as he approached, then touched his hat the moment Oro stopped. “Ladies.”
“That was an impressive display of riding.” The words tumbled from Jayne’s mouth. “I’ve never seen the like.”
Mr. Nash smiled. “I have to keep him on his toes. He gets bored otherwise.” His gaze shifted to Bethany. “I expect you’re here for Little Dan.”
“Yes, sir. If you’re not too busy to tack him for me.” Bethany’s winning smile could warm the coldest heart.
Mr. Nash swung his leg over Oro’s back. “My pleasure. Let me tie this old fella to the h
itching post, then I’ll see about getting your pony.”
Jayne kept her distance, well away from the back end of the horse. Beautiful as Oro was, he might decide he didn’t need an unfamiliar human behind him.
After Mr. Nash tied him, Bethany stroked the horse’s neck and side. “Come pet him, Miss Jayne. He won’t hurt you. Oro is much gentler than most of the horses here. Why, he’s not afraid of anything nor would he even hurt a fly.”
“I’m fine over here, thank you.” Jayne stood under a tree out of the way of any nearby horses.
Bethany greeted the hostlers as they came and went from various chores. Her small face lit up when Mr. Nash led a fully saddled Little Dan into the yard. She allowed Mr. Nash to assist her into the side saddle. “Do you think it would be all right if we worked some of the smaller jumps today? Little Dan will get out of shape if I only run him around the paddock.”
Mr. Nash nodded. “I’ll have Galen set up a few for you. Go warm Little Dan up.”
“Jumps? As in riding that horse over them?” Jayne’s skin prickled. “No, I don’t think that’s appropriate. It’s dangerous.”
“It’s not dangerous. I’ve been doing it for a couple of years.” Bethany’s lip slipped into a pout. “It’s fun, and they’re not very big jumps. Little Dan is good at it. Tell her.” She pinned her worried gaze on Mr. Nash.
The Texan removed his hat, then wiped sweat from his brow. “Her father approved it, Miss Strange. He’s aware of the dangers and knows that everyone at the stables is dedicated to keeping Miss Bethany safe.”
“Oh.” Jayne lowered her gaze. “By all means, then.”
“Thank you.” Bethany took Little Dan’s reins and nudged him toward the paddock.
Mr. Nash went in search of Galen, but he returned shortly and joined Jayne beneath the tree. “She’s a talented rider. Even for someone so young.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
His warm olive eyes met hers. “Did you have a bad experience with horses, Miss Strange?”
Her skin warmed beneath his piercing gaze. “I’ve never been around them much. I mentioned that.” Not that she expected him to remember. Her stories were easily forgotten, plain as she was. “I haven’t had any reason to become accustomed to any animals.”