The Lady’s Torn Heart (Faces of Love Series #2) (2 page)

* * *

A
fter the tea with Mary
, I retired to my room to freshen up for dinner. Mary informed me that we would be having a small celebratory dinner in honor of my visit. It would be just a small group of people, close friends that lived nearby.

I changed into the nicest dress I had brought with me. It was a soft blue muslin dress with pink flowered ribbon adorning the trim. Josie, Mary’s maid that had followed her, came in and helped me with my hair. She had an excellent talent of braiding my blonde ringlets with some pink lace she had on hand. I felt much like a Duchess myself when she finished. It was good to see another familiar face. She was always a talkative girl and was readily able to tell me any information I wanted to know about living at her new residence.

I came downstairs to find that several members of that night’s dinner party already being entertained in the drawing room. Gaffton was there and happily introduced me as we waited for Mary.

First, I met a Mr. and Mrs. Cannington, who were successful merchants in the nearby town. Next, I met Lady Heather Ohern, the widow of a late Earl who held her estate not too far from Mary’s lands. She was also some relation to Gaffton, through marriage, though I didn’t quite follow the genealogy. She was an older woman with no children of her own. She seemed to me to be very cross and always had a scowl on her brow. Lastly, I met Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzwilliam. He was an older gentleman, though young for a colonel. He was wearing his Red Regiment coat with shining brass buttons. He seemed a bit reserved, but very kind.

Finally, Mary came down, but it was easy to see that the excitement of the day had taken a toll on her. We all made our way to sit for dinner. I was happy that I was seated next to the colonel and not Lady Heather, who enjoyed continuously giving me advice about being a lady, though we had just met. She seemed to have an opinion about everything.

The colonel, for his part, made short, polite conversation, kept to himself and allowed the conversation to flow around him.

“Mary tells me that you like horses,” Gaffton asked in my direction.

“I do.”

“We have a very excellent selection in our sheds. You will have to go out for a ride while you are here. I have become far too busy this time of year, and Mary would be unable to in her condition. It would be a great benefit to us if you could stretch their legs on our behalf.”

“I would love to, Your Grace.”

“You like horses then?” I heard the colonel ask me in a low voice.

Gaffton caught it though.

“Yes, Fitzwilliam here is a connoisseur of horse flesh. He did me the liberty of picking out all the ones we have here.”

“You’re too kind, Your Grace. It is a small hobby of mine.”

“I am sure it has served you well, in battle, that is. Have you seen many battles, Colonel?” I asked.

“I suppose as much as any man. I am currently taking leave from my battalion for a short season in order to help get my house in order before returning.”

“By putting it in order, he means attending the horse auction that comes from the east every five years,” Gaffton chimed in with amusement.

“I’ve never missed it,” Colonel said with a boyish grin and wink.

I wondered at his age. He was certainly older than my nineteen years. He had beautiful dark black hair, but the beginning of white was just showing at his temples. That could also be due to the things he had seen as an officer in the Royal Military. His eyes were the most beautiful crystal blue shade, with small wrinkles at the edges. I imagined that they were from smiling and laughter, though he hadn't done much of either tonight.

“What is this auction?” I asked.

“Every five years, men from the east travel across Europe, bringing with them exceptional horses. Of course, they still keep the Arabians to themselves; they are the private breed of the Sultan.”

“I am familiar with Arabians,” I said.

He seemed to take stock of me at this. I really did have a passion for the animal. “Well, they do bring other fine breeds with them. Honestly, I only buy mine from this auction and use them for producing future generations.”

“It seems to be more than a hobby then,” I encouraged.

“I am sure that someday, when I retire or the war is over, it will be more. For now, it is a good distraction.” He looked at me, hesitating a moment. “I would be happy to take you along with me if you would like to see it. It is a spectacular sight; all the horses and exotic men from the east.”

“I would be happy to go with you, as long as it's not too much trouble?”

“No, not at all. I would enjoy the company.”

The remainder of the evening was spent discussing various horseflesh and tricks of the trade with Fitzwilliam. He was an impressive man. I felt he would make a good friend while I stayed here these few months.

* * *

T
he days dragged
by quite calmly. Fitzwilliam came by a few times over the course of the next few weeks. Mary was days away from her new arrival, and Gaffton was a frazzled mess over it. On this particular day, it was dark and dreary. The air was cold, and mist was in the air, but I didn’t think it would rain. Mary was lounging on the loveseat next to me in the drawing room. Gaffton wouldn't let her do much else, outside of lying in bed, sitting on the drawing room couch and reading.

“I was thinking of taking Gaffton’s offer and going for a ride,” I finally said when I could bear the boredom no longer.

Mary closed her book and sat. She looked out the window. “It looks awfully dreary for a ride.”

“I’ll be alright. I could use the fresh air.”

“I’m sorry; this all must be terribly dull for you.”

“Anything is better than spending another season in town with Mother,” I retorted.

Mary nodded in agreement.

“Plus, I am sure that things will become infinitely more exciting during the next few days,” I added, eyeing her near-to-bursting belly. “I’m antsy. I’ll feel much better after a ride.”

“I don’t know how I feel about you going on a ride alone.”

“I’ll stay close to the manor.”

“How about stay on the property?” Mary said with a raised eyebrow. Mother would never let me go riding on my own, even on our estate.

“Fine,” I gave in reluctantly.

Mary leaned back into the love seat. “Perhaps I will take a short nap while you are gone. It would please Gaffton at least.”

She was already drifting off before I even made it to the drawing room door.

The walk to the stables was a short one. It was a bit breezy outside, but nothing too terrible. I was still wearing my cream-colored linen morning dress. I suppose I should have changed into something better suited for riding, but I didn’t want to do so.

I walked the stables and looked at each of the horses. For the most part, they were all warm and inviting. One in particular caught my eye. She was a chestnut brown thing with a long sandy brown mane. I read her name:
Rapunzel
. I liked the playful name and decided that I would take her.

Gaffton had assured me that all his horses were rideable, so I never considered otherwise. She was patient as I put on her dressings and mounted her. We were strolling around the gardens, just as I had promised, when I had a sudden itch to do more.

I gave her a soft kick, and we took off trotting on a dirt road that went toward the east wall of the estate. I could feel my hair falling out of my simple bun and billowing around me; it was freeing. I gave Rapunzel another good nudge to speed the trot to a run. We were gearing closer to the wall, and I wasn’t ready to stop. I bent down and encouraged her into full speed, and then up and over the wall.

It was a short rock wall, maybe three feet high at the most, but it was something I hadn’t done since childhood. I happily laughed as I encouraged her on the road we found on the other side of it.

I’m not quite sure how long we ran down the road at that speed. The cold was beginning to sting my nose and the dim light of the overcast day was starting to fade. I slowed Rapunzel to a smooth trot. I had probably been gone too long. I didn’t want to make Mary worry, so I turned to head back to the manor.

The fog had settled in with the cooling of the air. I was grateful that I hadn’t left the first road I found, fearing I might not find my way back if I had. I was just coming to a fork in the way when another equestrian came bolting across at high speeds. He must not have seen me, and I certainly didn’t hear him coming.

Our horses nearly collided and Rapunzel reared herself up in fright. It all happened so fast. Before I knew it, I was lying on my back on the muddy road. I wasn’t injured as far as I could tell, but the shock of it kept me from moving.

The other rider quickly halted and dismounted his steed. He came over to me and bent down to aid me. It was hard to see him in the dimming light. He was wearing a long dark riding coat and a tall beaver-skinned hat. He pulled off his hat and lifted me up to a sitting position. “Miss? Are you alright? I am so sorry. This is usual such a quiet road. I never see anyone on it.”

I was looking into his deep honey-colored eyes. His hair was an auburn shade and long. His jaw was an impeccable square figure. He smiled down at me, and I swear that my breath caught in my chest for the second time.

I blinked a few times; he was waiting for my answer.

“I am alright. Just a fright is all.” I started to rise, but he stopped me.

“Please allow me to help you up. You might be injured.”

I nodded and allowed him to assist me. Nothing seemed broken. My head was still a bit rattled, and my rear end felt a bit bruised from the fall, but overall, I was alright. I looked around and realized that Rapunzel had fled.

He noticed it too. “I would be happy to accompany you home, since I seemed to have scared off your mode of transportation.” He gave me another one of those dashing smiles.

“That is very kind of you. My name is Julia Summers. I am staying with my sister and her husband just up the road.”

He bowed politely to me. “I am James Patterson. I am here to stay with my aunt, Lady Heather Ohern.”

We began to walk down the road. I could tell he was taking it slow for my sake. I looked down at my linen dress; it was covered with splatters of mud. I couldn’t imagine what the rest of me looked liked after a wild country ride.

“I know your aunt,” I finally said after a few minutes.

“You do? I haven’t actually met her.”

“Yes, she came to dinner my first night here. She seemed a very…” I took a second to search for a compliment to give that crabby old woman. “Decided in herself.”

He laughed at this. “I’ve heard such things about her. I’ll be living with her permanently, so I suppose I should get used to that.”

“Are you now?”

“Yes. She is my father’s older sister. As I said, I never met her before, and she is quite a bit older than he is and from a different marriage. I don't know if you knew that she was widowed last fall.”

“I knew she was a widow, but didn’t realize it was so recent.”

“Yes, well, she has no children and apparently is particularly lonely. She wrote to my father and asked that I stay with her. I am his second son, you see.”

I knew what he meant. The second son of a titled noble family didn’t receive anything; it would all go to his older brother. Typically, in such a case, they would join the military or become clergymen. It seemed, as fortune had it, that he would be staying with his aunt and in return, obtain her title and inheritance upon her death.

“Well, that is very kind of you to keep her company.”

He shrugged. I took the moment to steal another look at him. He was a handsome man. He was probably only three or four years my senior and had that energetic air of youth about him. He wore his pants tight, with high stylish black boots. He was a remarkable sight. I blushed and looked away, but couldn’t help but think that my time here with the Duke and Duchess had just become a whole lot more exciting.