by Jane Charles
Andrew slept later than he’d intended, but the castle was still quiet when he emerged from his assigned chamber. As with anywhere he resided, or visited, his first activity on any given morning was to take Epona out for a run. She’d been a fine racer in her day and then produced eight foals over twelve years, but now she was simply Andrew’s horse. Epona was his favorite, the first he’d purchased when he returned from Eton, and traveled with him wherever he went.
As he drew near the opening of the stables voices from within drifted out toward him.
“I think that will be all for today, Kemp,” a young woman stated.
Andrew assumed the female was a servant as all the guests appeared to still be abed.
“I’m proud of you, Lady Tabitha. I know this wasn’t easy.”
Lady Tabitha? What was she doing out and about so early? Then again, she’d kept similar hours in London.
“No, it wasn’t but I’m certain that with each day it will become easier.”
“And we might just have you sitting on a horse before you return home.”
Sitting on a horse? She didn’t ride?
As he turned the corner Andrew practically ran into Lady Tabitha. “My pardon.” He took a step back. Wide, green eyes looked up at him and her face was devoid of all color. Was Lady Tabitha ill?
“Good morning, Lord Straffan,” the stablemaster greeted. “Would you like me to have Epona saddled?”
“Yes, please.”
Kemp nodded and walked away, calling to a stable hand.
Normally Andrew saw to saddling his own horse, but the lovely, though frightfully pale, Lady Tabitha wasn’t usually standing before him. “Did I hear correctly, that you do not ride?”
“Not since I was fourteen.”
She rubbed her arm as if she was injured, but Andrew suspected it was a memory.
“May I ask why?”
Lady Tabitha’s face flushed. “A mishap—a fall.” At least the embarrassment brought color back to her cheeks.
“It was not as simple as that,” Kemp remarked as he returned to Lady Tabitha and Andrew. “Lady Tabitha was riding what we believed to have been a docile mare—.”
“—She was docile,” Lady Tabitha interrupted. “A beautiful mare, with a sleek white coat.” She sighed as she recalled the animal. “Even-tempered and a joy to ride.”
If she had loved the horse so much and enjoyed riding her, why did Lady Tabitha no longer sit a horse?
“Yes, well, she wasn’t so obedient after that foolish stable hand lost control of a thoroughbred being trained to saddle,” the stablemaster grumbled.
“What happened?” What could have been so devastating that Lady Tabitha gave up riding?
“The thoroughbred got loose and took off after Lady Tabitha’s mare who then bolted and took off at a dead run. All Lady Tabitha could do was hold on. I thought my heart was going to stop when the mare didn’t even slow down as she neared the stables, but Lady Tabitha ducked just in the nick of time.”
“Thank God,” Andrew muttered.
“However, the mare did take the corner too close, knocking Lady Tabitha from her seat. She barely got out of the way before the stud came running in as well.”
“Good Lord,” Andrew muttered. Lady Tabitha could have been killed.
“And the beautiful mare had to be put down.” Lady Tabitha sniffed.
“Because she bolted?” Andrew asked in horror. Temporary loss of control was no reason to bring its life to an end. Better training was the answer.
“No,” Kemp answered quickly. “She injured her leg but didn’t show signs until she reached her stall. That’s when we realized that she could no longer put weight on a back leg. We tried everything to heal her, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
Lady Tabitha eyes watered. “It’s my fault. I should have been able to control her.”
Andrew’s heart ached for Lady Tabitha and the guilt she still suffered. It was never easy to put a horse down, despite the circumstances, but more so when the rider or owner believed they were at fault. “Not if a horse is hell bent on making a run after being spooked,” Andrew assured her.
“I want to ride again, it’s just that…” she glanced back at the horses lined up in their separate stalls.
“Give it time, Lady Tabitha,” Kemp said. “I promise that by the time you leave Danby Castle it will be as if you never stopped.”
“Perhaps,” she finally muttered then glanced back at Lord Straffan. “Well, I shan’t keep you any longer.” She graced him with a beautiful smile.
“It’s been a pleasure, Lady Tabitha and I hope to see you at breakfast.”
“Likewise, Lord Straffan. Enjoy your ride.” Then she turned and hurried away and all Andrew could do but watch.
He no longer knew what to believe. She wasn’t a simpleton as he’d feared, but she wasn’t adventurous as Elston had claimed either, or she wouldn’t have allowed her fear to keep her from riding. An intriguing miss most certainly and in an instant, Andrew knew that he’d not be satisfied until he learned for himself which facts were true about Lady Tabitha, and which were false.
Chapter 6
Tabitha sank down onto her bed and took deep breaths as she tried to calm her nerves. She’d barely been able to pull the gloves from her trembling fingers and unbutton her pelisse once she’d returned to her chamber.
At least she’d conquered a small part of her fear and allowed herself to be close to a few horses. They seemed sweet enough, but so had Guinevere.
Tomorrow or this afternoon, if she were up to it, Kemp told Tabitha to return with carrots and apples to let the horses eat out of her hand.
Those were the treats she’d given Guinevere all those years ago, and tears spiked Tabitha’s eyes once again at the memory. Oh, how she loved Guinevere.
Her fears were irrational, of that she well knew, but that didn’t make them any less real. Perhaps she’d been able to do so today because Kemp was by her side, whom she’d known since childhood. Or maybe it was simply because Lord Straffan would never consider courting a lady who was afraid of horses. However, the reasons for the small miracle didn’t really matter because she’d taken the first step in conquering her weakness, and she’d continue to face it each and every day until she finally accomplished her goal to ride once again.
Her only regret was that she hadn’t been better prepared to see Lord Straffan when he’d been the main purpose for her leaving the castle so early. But it had taken every part of her being to go near the horses, and her nerves were nearly spent by the time he did make an appearance. Kemp relaying her previous nightmare had not helped matters.
Drat! Twice now she’d had the opportunity to speak with Straffan and neither occasion ended with her making a good impression. Somehow she must endeavor to do better, as encounters with him would continue to be limited and she was not about to let her fear ruin further opportunities as well.
Andrew well understood Lady Tabitha’s fear, but until she sat a horse again, she’d never conquer it.
As he entered the front of the castle, Andrew was greeted with the very sight of Lady Tabitha coming down the stairs. The color had returned to her cheeks and Andrew took a step forward with every intention of escorting her into breakfast only to be brought up short when the Dowager Countess of Kinley narrowed her eyes on him in warning.
Clearly, the woman didn’t like him and she didn’t even know him. But, like so many in Society, he’d been judged on account of the fact that he was Irish, as if that made him a lesser man somehow.
Andrew waited a moment and then followed the dowager and her daughters into the breakfast room. Already guests and relatives of Danby were breaking their fast but there were still plenty of seats at the table. Hopefully, he could find one near Lady Tabitha so that they might discuss her fear and how to go about overcoming it.
The meal was set out on a sideboard from which guests filled their plates before taking a seat and being served tea or coffee by a servant. Lady Tabitha wa
s the last in line of her family and stood, pondering the offerings before her. Andrew waited until her mother had moved on and then took the place beside Lady Tabitha.
“Are you recovered?” he asked quietly.
Her face deepened to a lovely shade of rose. “Yes,” she answered in a hushed tone. “But I would appreciate you not letting anyone know that we saw one another this morning.”
Pain ripped through his gut. He should have anticipated her rejection, but he hadn’t and the weight of disappointment was sudden and unexpected.
Lady Tabitha quickly glanced over her shoulder then leaned a little closer to Andrew as she scooped up some eggs. “Mother would not approve, and I’d prefer she not watch me too closely.”
Ah, it was her mother and not him. “I promise not to say a word.”
A small smile pulled at her lips. “Thank you.”
“By chance will you be visiting the stables again today? Kemp mentioned that you might return.”
“I thought to attempt it once again after luncheon.”
“I will join you,” he whispered.
A blush stained her cheeks, but a smile pulled at her lips. “I will look forward to your company, Lord Straffan.”
He stepped away before her mother noted their quiet conversation and his mood lightened knowing that he’d be spending the afternoon with Lady Tabitha.
As she moved on, Andrew took his time filling his plate. When he turned to find a seat, he noted that Lady Tabitha was seated between her mother and someone he assumed to be a sister by the girl’s resemblance. The dowager glared at him, but Andrew simply nodded, offered a pleasant smile, and found an empty seat further away from the family.
Chapter 7
Tabitha glanced down the corridor to make certain no one was about then hurried toward the back stairs that would eventually lead her to the kitchens.
“Where do you think you’re going?” her mother demanded from behind.
Tabitha stopped mid-step and took a deep breath. “I need to be outside for a bit.” While she did wish for fresh air, Tabitha didn’t dare tell Mother her true destination.
“It’s freezing, and I don’t want you mingling with others,” the woman hissed quietly as she looked around. Others being unrelated bachelors invited to the castle by Danby.
Tabitha fought to roll her eyes. “I can’t spend all of my time inside.”
Her mother gasped. “You behave as if I’m holding you prisoner.”
It felt like she was being held prisoner and no different than last spring when her mother had panicked at seeing Danby in London, cancelled all invitations and kept Tabitha and her sisters inside their townhome. The sequestering lasted nearly a sennight before Danby made an appearance and ordered them to attend functions. Thank goodness he had or Tabitha and her sisters might have spent the whole of the Season inside the parlor. The only exception being her secret walks in Hyde Park during the morning hours, which thankfully her mother never learned about.
“I promise not to encourage unwanted attention,” Tabitha assured her mother. An easy promise to make since Straffan’s attention was very much wanted.
“Why can’t you return to the sitting room with your sisters? Open a window if it’s fresh air that you want.”
“And be forced to listen to Deborah and Sarah complain because they’re cold?”
“They can bundle up.”
This was beyond ridiculous. “I’m simply taking a short walk, and I promise not to become betrothed before I return.” With that, Tabitha continued toward the stairs.
“I only want what is best for you, Tabitha. You have no idea how miserable your life could be if you make the wrong match.”
“What’s the matter? Is Tabitha running away?”
She glanced back over her shoulder to find Peter standing behind their mother, his eyes lit with amusement.
“I simply wish to be out,” Tabitha ground out.
“Go with her, Peter, and make certain she stays out of trouble.”
Goodness, her mother made it sound as if she were a child in need of watching, and Tabitha was growing quite tired of being mothered. Most ladies were married by Tabitha’s age but her mother behaved as if she was still in leading strings.
“Gladly,” Peter agreed. “If my wayward sister would but give me a moment to retrieve my coat and gloves I’ll happily accompany her anywhere she wishes to go.”
Blast! Hadn’t Peter warned her away from Straffan? What would he think if she were meeting him?
With any luck, hopefully, her brother would assume it was a coincidence when they encountered Straffan. After all, it wasn’t unusual for a gentleman to check on his horse or take him out for a ride, or so she assumed.
Peter was back quickly to join her and followed her down the narrow, darker stairs.
“Why are we going this way?”
She couldn’t very well tell him her destination within her mother’s hearing. “I’m less likely to run in to others.”
Once they reached another level and far enough away from their mother overhearing, Peter stopped. “What are you really about, Tabitha?”
Tabitha knew her brother would determine her destination the moment she stopped within the kitchens and quickly confessed her wish to visit the stables and to confront her fear.
He pulled back in surprise.
“I must take apples and carrots.”
Then Peter’s eyes narrowed. “Is this because you wish to impress Straffan?”
Tabitha couldn’t look her brother in the eye because he’d suspect the truth so she said nothing.
“It doesn’t really matter,” Peter said after a moment. “If he is the cause for getting you near a horse again, I have no argument.”
“Please don’t tell, Mother.”
Peter snorted. “Never fear, little sister. She is the last person I’d ever confide in.”
Andrew worried that perhaps Lady Tabitha had changed her mind and was about to return to the castle when she stepped into the stables along with Peter Storm.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Storm, Lady Tabitha,” Kemp greeted.
Andrew had hoped it would be just the two of them. Not that they were truly alone with Kemp and the stable hands about, but her brother was an intrusion.
Then Andrew nearly kicked himself. This wasn’t a courtship. He was there to help the lady confront her fear and that was all.
“I’ve brought apples and carrots.” She held up a bag.
“You are really going to do this?” Peter asked in surprise.
“She did just fine this morning,” Kemp assured Peter. “We’ll have her over this fear in no time.”
Perhaps the stablemaster was being a bit optimistic. Lady Tabitha’s hands were visibly shaking, and it would take a few more visits before she ever contemplated the idea of sitting on a horse, let alone riding one.
For Lady Tabitha’s sake, it was good that Andrew had no pressing matters since he was informed this morning that Danby regretted that he could find no time in his schedule to meet until after Christmas. Andrew had nearly snorted at the “regretted” bit because he was quite convinced that Danby regretted nothing and was keeping him here longer than necessary for a purpose. Otherwise, why would he insist Andrew arrive on the twenty-first and then put him off? He just couldn’t determine what bloody purpose he was supposed to fulfill.
“Come along, Lady Tabitha. Just like this morning,” Kemp said.
She took a deep breath, notched her chin then stepped further inside the stables.
Andrew had to admire Lady Tabitha at least. This morning she’d been pale following her visit to the stables, and the fear of being here radiated from her; yet, she was determined to face this hurdle and he’d be right by her side.
“Greet them first, the ones you did today, as they know you now,” Kemp talked quietly.
Andrew stepped back toward the opening to stand next to Peter Storm and watched as Kemp led Lady Tabitha to a gelding owned by the duke. Tentatively, sh
e held out her hand and the horse nuzzled it.
“Unbelievable,” Peter Storm whispered. “I never thought to see the day that Tabitha would allow herself to be so near a horse again.”
“It’s good that she’s facing her fear,” Andrew noted. “It’s something I believe we all must do at one time or another.”
Storm studied him. “I suppose one only needs the right incentive to do so.”
Andrew didn’t know exactly what incentive motivated Lady Tabitha, but he was glad to be of assistance.
“Well, as I am not needed, I believe I’ll take a ride,” Storm announced as he studied Andrew. “Care to join me, Straffan?”
Andrew glanced back at Lady Tabitha. As much as he would enjoy another ride, he didn’t want to be too far away in the event a horse scared her. “Thank you, but I’ll remain here.”
“I’ll get your horse, Mr. Storm,” Kemp announced and walked further into the massive stables. Danby could probably house at least fifty horses inside. There was another stable for carriage horses and yet another for work horses and other animals used to farm and till the land, much like Andrew’s estate in Suffolk. Except there, he had no lady wishing to come to know his horses better.
A horse whinnied and Lady Tabitha took a step back, and her hands came up as if to protect herself. She was so skittish, that even the slightest sound might set her one edge, so Andrew moved to her side. He soon realized that the horse simply wanted more attention from Lady Tabitha, not less.