“Would you rather walk with me for a moment or two out of doors?” he asked. “It is not so cold today, and I thought you might appreciate the change in scenery.”
“I would, thank you,” she said, and, after retrieving her pelisse, she and Gabriel made their way out of the house, her happy attitude continuing until Gabriel walked past the large, stone archway leading to the gardens, and her heart sank.
“Mr. Worthington,” she began, stopping in her place, “are you taking me to the stables?”
Gabriel turned when he heard Charlotte pause behind him, and he nodded.
“I know what you wish to do, Mr. Worthington,” she said with a frown, “and I do not appreciate you forcing the matter.”
“Miss Rosebury,” he began, taking a step toward her, “I do not understand…”
However, when their eyes met, his voice trailed off, and he was taken aback with what he saw dulling her usually bright, hazel eyes.
“Are you…” he hesitated, “are you afraid, Miss Rosebury?”
“Of course, I am not afraid,” Charlotte responded with a raised, chin, but Gabriel could already see the panic rising in her eyes.
“You certainly need not feel ashamed if you are,” he said, “there are—”
“I have already informed you, I am not.”
His brows pulled together when she looked to the ground.
“Miss Rosebury?”
She turned her head further away, but Gabriel closed the distance between them and, with a bent finger under her chin, urged her to look at him.
“Miss Rosebury,” he repeated, deciding to forgo mentioning her fear again, “I offer you my help with concern to your relationship with horses. However, if you wish, we may carry on with our walk around the gardens, avoiding the stables altogether.”
He paused, gauging the vulnerability in her eyes as he continued.
“Though, should you wish to join me near the stables, you have my word, I will not force you to do anything that causes you unease.”
Charlotte stared up at him, and his heart felt a sharp twinge when he noted her eyes welling with tears.
“Do I have your trust, Miss Rosebury,” he asked, “enough for you to simply accompany me closer to the horses?”
He waited anxiously until Charlotte finally nodded.
“Yes,” she said in a soft voice, and a warmth spread throughout his heart.
“Very well,” he said, offering his arm to her. “Would you like to proceed?”
Charlotte took his arm, and he smiled softly down at her, ignoring how naturally her hand fit into the crook of his arm as he led the way to the horses.
Despite the comfort Charlotte received from Gabriel’s proximity, her anxiousness increased the closer they came to the small, fenced field behind the stables.
“Those horses there,” Gabriel said as they reached the fence’s gate, his finger pointing to where two horses grazed a small distance away, “they are my finest.”
He whistled, and the horses instantly trotted toward them. The beauty of their tails flowing in the wind caused nothing but fear in Charlotte, and she released Gabriel’s arm to step away from the fence with a tight chest.
“They cannot reach you from behind the fence,” he reassured her once the horses reached them, their nearness showing their true stature.
Charlotte nodded but kept her distance as Gabriel pointed to the taller of the two horses whose coat glinted black in the bright sunlight.
“This here is Buxton,” he said, “named after the town in which I acquired him years ago. I am certain you remember him from my stay at Brightwood.”
He pointed next to the horse whose coat, mane, and tail shone white.
“I acquired this gelding more than a year ago, and he has proven himself to be more than adequate. You will find no greater a friend than in this horse. His name is Horatio.”
Charlotte looked to Gabriel in an instant, and he smiled down at her.
“Yes,” he said, “I named him after Shakespeare’s most superior character, in my humble opinion, as I thought the name fitting for such a noble creature.”
Charlotte smiled, and when she looked to the white horse again, his broad figure seemed less intimidating.
“Would you like to feed them?” Gabriel asked, retrieving two small carrots from his pocket.
“Oh, no, thank you,” Charlotte said, noting both horses staring intently at the food.
“All you must do is keep your hand flat and still.”
“I know how to feed a horse,” she snapped, suddenly feeling foolish. “I was not lying when I said my father taught me as a child.”
“Of course,” Gabriel said, and her frown lessened when he remained calm. “Are you certain you would not like to try?”
Charlotte hesitated, her gaze moving from the carrots to the eager horses, but only when she glanced up to see Gabriel smiling with encouragement in her direction, did she finally nod.
She removed her glove before retrieving a carrot and stretching forth her hand, her legs quivering as the horses simultaneously reached their necks over the fence for a nibble. When the horses’ soft lips tickled her skin, a rush of childhood memories overcame her, and she smiled.
“There you are,” Gabriel said. “They have taken to you. Would you like to join me inside the fence?”
“Oh, no,” she said, withdrawing her hand. “I am fine right here.”
“Very well,” he said before he entered the gate and approached the horses, fearlessly stroking their necks.
As the black horse nuzzled his pocket, Gabriel softly chuckled, and the sound caused her heart to flutter.
“I see you have discovered another carrot, Buxton,” he said before feeding both horses another. “I must learn to hide them better.”
Charlotte continued to watch his interaction with the animals, and her fears were forgotten as she recalled how impressed her father had been with Gabriel’s horsemanship, and she stared at him until their eyes met.
“What is it?” Gabriel asked, but Charlotte shook her head.
“I have not seen you this way before. You are a natural.”
Gabriel looked away to stroke Buxton’s neck. “Well, in truth,” he began, “my father deserves the credit. Michael and I were still young when Father brought us both to this very spot so we might watch him with the horses. He taught us how to treat the animals with respect before we were ever allowed to ride them.”
Charlotte’s ears perked up. “Michael,” she began carefully, “he was your brother?”
Gabriel nodded, his gaze still averted. “I am never closer to the both of them than when I am near horses. Perhaps that is why I am far happier around the animals than I am with society…some society, I suppose I should say.”
Charlotte smiled before her expression grew serious once again.
“I was sorry to hear of your brother’s and father’s passing,” she said softly. “I was only young when I heard of the tragedy from my parents, however, even then I knew how heartbreaking an occurrence it was.”
“It was, indeed,” Gabriel said, “but thank you.”
Silence filled the air, and as the horses took to nibbling the grass around them, Gabriel moved toward the gate.
“Shall we return indoors?” he asked.
Charlotte nodded before he reached her side, and she said, “Mr. Worthington, I must thank you for your kindness this morning.”
His striking blue eyes turned to her. “It was my pleasure, Miss Rosebury.”
She smiled warmly up at him, and as he offered her his arm, Charlotte accepted it, and the both of them walked together toward Greyston Hall.
***
“Shall we, Miss Rosebury?”
Charlotte stared at Gabriel as he walked into the parlor the next morning, and she blinked in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“Are you ready?”
She looked between Gabriel and his mother, who sat across from her stitching, before shaking her head. “I am sorr
y, but to what are you referring?”
“We are to see the horses again, are we not?”
“Oh,” Charlotte said, her stomach flipping, “I did not know we were to continue seeing them. I cannot today, though, as I should not like to leave your mother alone.”
“I will be all right by myself, my dear,” Mrs. Worthington said, her gaze still upon her needlework. “Thank you all the same.”
Charlotte glanced to the window. “Oh, but look at the gathering clouds. Perhaps we ought to wait until the weather warms.”
“I am quite certain you shall be departed from Greyston Hall by the spring, Miss Rosebury,” Gabriel said with an amused grin. “Now please join me before you create another weak excuse.”
“My excuses are not weak,” she muttered as she stood.
“Meet me by the stables when you have dressed,” Gabriel said with a small shake of his head before leaving the parlor as quickly as he had entered.
Charlotte stood staring at the doorway after he had departed. “I do apologize for leaving you, Mrs. Worthington,” she said, “but I fear your son is adamant.”
“A fact I well know,” she said. “You had better do as he says, though, for we both know all too well how the gentleman behaves when others do not obey.”
They shared a smile, and before long, Charlotte stood next to Gabriel outside of the stables.
“What is your plan for this morning, then?” she asked with a strained tone as she smoothed down the arms of her pelisse.
“Allow me to show you,” Gabriel responded, moving to enter the stables.
“And if I should not wish to?”
He spoke over his shoulder but continued walking. “I gave you my word, Miss Rosebury. I will not force you.”
He disappeared around the corner, but still Charlotte hesitated.
If I return to the parlor with Mrs. Worthington, I shall be safe and warm, she thought. However, if I follow Mr. Worthington into the stables, I shall be with Mr. Worthington.
Not another moment passed before she entered the stables and peered down the aisle she had seen Gabriel turn down, the horses’ stalls lining each side.
“Mr. Worthington?” she called out hesitantly.
“I am here, Miss Rosebury,” his voice called from within one of the stalls beyond where she stood.
Charlotte eyed the latches upon each of the stall doors as she rushed past them before reaching Gabriel at last, seeing him standing next to the white horse from the day before.
“There you are,” Gabriel said, though his gaze remained upon the horse. “I trust you remember Horatio.”
Charlotte nodded, the horse’s stature appearing even larger within the stall, and her heartbeat quickened.
“Good morning,” she mumbled to the animal in a failed attempt to forget her nerves.
“Right,” Gabriel began, “I should like for you to join me in here, please.”
“Oh, no, no. I will stay here.”
“Do you see these, Miss Rosebury?” Gabriel asked, motioning to the two leads tied on opposite walls and to the horse’s halter. “I have secured them myself. I assure you, they shall not fall loose unless I wish them to.”
Still she hesitated, for she could not remember the last time she had been in an enclosure with the large animal.
“Miss Rosebury?”
“What if he begins to kick at me?”
“He cannot if you stand by his side.”
“And if he steps upon my foot?”
“Simply prevent that from happening by keeping away from his hooves.”
“What of his teeth? Perhaps he may bite me.”
“So long as you do not thrust your fingers into his mouth, there will be no need for him to bite you.”
“What if he presses me against the wall and I lose consciousness? What shall I do then?”
“Then I will move the horse away, catch you before you fall, and wait until you awaken.”
“And if—”
“For goodness’ sake, Miss Rosebury,” Gabriel interrupted, his eyes directed to the stable ceiling, “if you delay any further, it is not the horse you must worry about, but me. End your questioning and enter the stall before I give up altogether.”
Charlotte’s teasing the gentleman strangely alleviated some of her anxiety, and she smiled before taking a deep breath and entering the stall.
Gabriel stepped behind her to secure the lock, and she said, “If you are so certain you have secured the horse well enough, why do you bother locking the gate?”
“That lock is not for Horatio,” he said, staring at her pointedly. “It is for you, as I do not wish for you to escape before we have finished.”
A small laugh escaped her mouth before Gabriel smiled and motioned for her to move under the lead, and soon, they stood next to each other by the horse’s side.
“Now, when you feel you are ready,” Gabriel began, “I think you ought to pet him. You share your amiability with everyone around you, so why not impart upon this creature some of that kindness?”
Charlotte reached forth, encouraged by Gabriel’s words, and ran her fingers along the rough, white coat. Another rush of memories flowed over her as she did so, memories of grooming horses with Julia, admiring them with her father, riding them with her cousin.
Suddenly, echoing sounds of a horse’s whinny and a girl’s screams rang within her ears, and her brow puckered as she winced with fear.
She pulled her hand away from the horse, her heart racing as she attempted to blink away the images that touching the horse had produced in her mind.
“Do not be afraid,” Gabriel said softly behind her, his boots crunching upon the hay before he placed his hand atop her own to guide her fingers across Horatio’s coat once more. “Feel his strength underneath your hand, but know, even with his strength, he does not wish to harm you.”
Gabriel’s touch was so gentle, his breath so warm against her ear, that Charlotte’s breathing steadied, her memories fading away until her only thought was how her heart fluttered with Gabriel standing so closely behind her.
“Let him feel your confidence,” he continued, his voice low and bewitching, and Charlotte knew if she gave in to her knees’ buckling, leaning back only slightly, her back would rest against his chest. “Show him your kindness. If you reveal how you care for him, he will allow you into his life.”
And suddenly, Charlotte could not help but wonder if Gabriel still spoke of his horse.
Gabriel knew he needed to back away, create distance between himself and Charlotte, physically and emotionally, but he only continued to allow his hand to guide Charlotte’s across the horse’s back.
“In time,” he said softly, feeling Charlotte’s fear decrease with each stroke, “he will grow to care for you as much as you care for him.”
Do you still speak of the horse? he asked himself, closing his eyes as he breathed in the scent of her hair.
“In time, you will see your kindness, your patience, met with success.”
He paused, stroking the side of Charlotte’s hand with his thumb as their fingers rested upon Horatio’s neck.
Release her. You will cause only heartache for you both.
“You will realize,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper, “when you first met, he was simply unsure of how to behave around you.”
He felt her back against his chest as she leaned into him, and his heart pounded within him as he fought the desire to pull her around and kiss her.
“But you will never regret your time together…”
You will regret this, Gabriel.
“For you, and you alone, will see a side of him no one has ever seen before.”
Charlotte turned her head, revealing her profile as he continued. “All because of your patience…”
Do not say it, he told himself. Do not say it.
“And love.”
Charlotte could not steady her breathing as she slowly turned around to face Gabriel, his eyes peering down at her
until he focused upon her lips.
As he moved closer to her, her heart fluttered, and she closed her eyes in anticipation of his affection.
However, when Gabriel’s hand abruptly dropped from her own, his body pulling away from hers, she opened her eyes and blinked furiously in an attempt to rid herself of the dazed and embarrassed look upon her face.
“I am afraid that is all I have time for today,” Gabriel said, his voice rough before he cleared his throat. “Excuse me. I must be on my way.”
Charlotte could only nod as she followed him out of the stall, a blush already gracing her skin.
“Of course, Mr. Worthington,” she said softly. “I should not like to take more of your time.”
“I trust you may find your way back to Mother on your own?” he asked, securing the latch on the gate, keeping his back facing her, and she nodded again.
“Very well,” he said. “Goodbye, Miss Rosebury.”
And he walked away without another glance, leaving Charlotte to deal with her disappointment and confusion alone.
Chapter Thirteen
The next evening, Charlotte sat across from Gabriel and Mrs. Worthington in the carriage as the three of them traveled to the Bosville’s dinner party. She glanced to Gabriel, who sat in silence as he stared out of the window, and her heart stirred with the same emotion she had felt the day before, emotion she could only hope Gabriel had experienced, as well.
However, one look at his frowning face convinced Charlotte otherwise, and concern filled her, for she finally understood why Gabriel had not brought her to the stables that morning.
He must have noticed my eagerness in receiving his affection yesterday, she thought. This is why he has avoided me.
“My, but we are all silent this evening,” Mrs. Worthington said, and Charlotte glanced up with what she hoped was a sincere smile.
“I am certain we are simply anticipating the evening within each of our own minds.”
Mrs. Worthington nodded, but as the carriage fell into silence again, hopelessness overcame Charlotte.
Mr. Worthington still wishes for nothing more than friendship to exist between us, she thought. I should not assume otherwise.
To Warm A Wintered Heart (Regency Romance) Page 13
