by Aria Norton
“A fine morning,” one of the ladies said lightly. “You must have had a good ride. And that road over from Amerhurst is hellish bumpy, is it not?”
“Juliana,” their mother hissed. “Don’t use language like that.”
“Sorry.”
Thomas hid a smile. The red dress was Lady Juliana, then; the cream Lady Emmeline. He nodded.
“I had a lovely evening at Amerhurst,” he said, trying to make conversation. He wished Arnott was there – he was usually so talented with conversations - though the two girls had made him speechless as well.
“I am so glad,” Lady Baxter said warmly. “Oh, here is Mrs. Haywell with the tea. Do you take milk, Lord Thomas?” she asked, reaching for the teapot.
“Yes. Thank you,” Thomas said.
He accepted a cup of tea and sat down on a wingback chair, feeling awkward. The three ladies sat opposite him, all looking at him expectantly.
“It’s a fine day for a ride, is it not?” Lady Juliana said.
“Yes,” Lady Emmeline said. “Or a walk.”
Juliana shot her an amused glance and the two of them seemed to be sharing some sort of joke, then they turned back to him, smilingly.
“Will you come on a ride?” Juliana asked. “It’s a lovely area, this.”
“I would like that,” he said, and coughed as he sipped his tea. He felt ridiculously shy. Lady Baxter smiled.
“Girls…mayhap you can let Lord Thomas drink his tea and eat some of this delicious loaf-cake, and then we can show him the estate? My husband is riding, or he would certainly want to show you himself,” she added sweetly.
“Thank you,” Thomas said, feeling awkward.
He sampled the loaf-cake, which was very good indeed, and watched Emmeline eating it with relish. He smiled to himself. He couldn’t help liking her – there was something so gentle and good about her. He felt drawn to the forthright nature of Lady Juliana, though. He felt she would be a better match for the Ton.
They would be too much for Lady Emmeline.
He surprised himself by feeling protective.
“So?” Juliana asked, putting her plate aside. “Are we going for that ride, or not?”
“Juliana…” her mother scolded. Thomas grinned and set aside his own plate and silvered cake fork.
“Of course, Lady Juliana. If it please you, we shall depart at once.”
“Hurrah!”
The two girls both got up eagerly and Thomas turned to their mother, who had stood to join him by the door.
“Please excuse my daughters’ high spirits,” she said with a small shake of her head, though her eyes sparkled. “They are used to country ways. A little more of town would do them such good. My husband does insist on staying out here all year, though. He hates town.” She made a face.
“Town probably doesn’t suit everyone,” Thomas admitted. Lady Baxter grinned.
“Spoken like a true town dweller.”
Thomas smiled at her and felt real warmth. She was an elegant, genteel woman and he felt a little sad that she’d ended up stuck out in the countryside with a man who elected riding and hunting over theatres and balls.
He was just wondering how he could say that without sounding rude, when a laugh from the hallway brought all his attention back to the moment.
“Lord Thomas! We’re ready!” Lady Juliana called happily.
“You can ride Snowbright, if you like,” Lady Emmeline offered kindly. “He’s Father’s old horse. He has a new one now, called Midnight.”
“I see,” Thomas nodded. “Well, I did bring my own horse, but…”
“But he might be tired,” Emmeline countered firmly. “You should let him rest. We’ll be going up the hill and you’ll want your horse to have his strength to get you back home again.”
Thomas was about to protest, but Juliana was shouting something excitedly as she all but ran downstairs, and he hurried to keep up. He found himself being led over to a vast white thoroughbred and sliding his foot into the saddle before he had a chance to think about it.
“Go!” Juliana shouted, and he couldn’t help but race with her. They tore out of the stable yard, and he felt his heart lift. He felt as if, for a moment, he could leave his dull, shy self behind and be free, like her.
He clung to the reins, watching how Lady Juliana rode; her hair tumbled loose around her shoulders, bouncing against her red cloak. She used a side-saddle, as was proper for young ladies, and he had to admit he had never seen such a fine horsewoman. His heart ached with admiration.
“Whew,” Lady Juliana sighed, as they slowed. “Emmie!” she shouted over her shoulder. “Emmie?”
Thomas looked round, feeling guilty. He’d all but forgotten Lady Emmeline. He saw her riding along, slow but steady, behind them. He rode back along the path so as not to leave her alone.
“It’s a dangerous slope,” Emmeline said as he fell into step beside her. “It’s fine today, but when it’s been raining it can be very slippery. A horse could fall and break a leg.”
“I see,” Thomas said. She looked almost defiant, as if she was annoyed with him for risking her horse’s leg. He nodded and rode along in silence.
They reached Lady Juliana where she waited by the trees and she laughed happily.
“There you are, Emmie! I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have let my horse have her head. Shall we go on up the hill?” She looked contrite and Thomas admired the care between the sisters. He felt a little wistful – he had no good relationship with his brother.
“Yes, Jules,” Lady Emmeline said, giving her sister a smile. “Let’s go up. It will be such a lovely view from the hilltop there.”
Thomas rode between the two ladies, enjoying the banter and laughter that seemed to flow so easily between the two of them. He had not experienced anything like it – the ease and fondness of the two girls – and he felt his heart grow warm.
When he took his leave that afternoon, he felt more determined than ever. He was going to be calling on them a great deal.
He couldn’t help but be captivated by Lady Juliana.
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