Page 19 of From Rakes to Riches

“Indeed. I hope for a little boy so Lewis will have a playmate, but a girl would be lovely too.”

Sonia’s eyes were starry. “How wonderful for you, Your Grace.”

“The only trouble is, Ash fusses around me quite intensely. He is certain I’ll come to grief, but I am quite robust.”

Helena looked it. Childless Gemma envied Helena at the same time she was happy for her friend.

Guy turned from greeting Tristan to face them. “Ash will have his own cricket team soon,” he joked.

Helena shook her head but did not look displeased. “Hardly.”

Gemma forced her gaze from Guy, but she could not help noticing he was splendid in riding gear, boots hugging his legs to the knee, his coat setting off his broad shoulders and trim torso. A man who kept himself in the pink of health.

“Now then, it’s a beautiful day,” Helena said. “You gentlemen ought to have a good gallop while we ladies take tea in the sunshine.”

“Gemma enjoys a good gallop,” Sonia said brightly. “She is an excellent horsewoman.”

“She is indeed,” Aunt Margot put in. “My nephew could scarcely keep her feet on the ground whenever they stayed at his country house. She misses riding so. Gemma, do go. I am certain Lord Guy and His Grace will look after you.”

Gemma spent a moment wondering why Aunt Margot encouraged this activity, and concluded she wished Gemma toextol Sonia’s good qualities to Guy out of Sonia’s hearing. Her heart gave a throbbing ache.

“It was a long journey,” she began.

“Nonsense.” Aunt Margot’s chocolate brown turban nodded along with her. “There was hardly enough time for a good nap in the carriage. Do change into your habit and go, Gemma. You have been cooped up in the house for too long. It will do you good.”

“Yes, it will do you good, Stepmama,” Sonia echoed.

“Yes, indeed,” Helena put in, abruptly abandoning her offer of tea. “Enjoy the glorious day, Gemma.”

“I promise to saddle a suitable steed for you, Mrs. Cooke.” Guy’s smile touched her with warmth. “Several other ladies are ready to ride as well, so you will not be entirely at our mercy.”

Gemma was not certain to be relieved or distressed that she could not ride out alone with Guy.

What was the matter with her? Of course, she would be joining a group of ladies and gentlemen for a quiet hack over the meadows. Nothing scandalous about such an activity. This would not be a romantic outing, but one for exercise, plus the opportunity to pepper the conversation with praise of Sonia.

It was clear that Margot, Sonia, and Helena would pester her until she agreed. Aunt Margot wished her to soften up Guy, and Sonia doubtless needed a respite from Gemma. They’d spent the last two days going over Sonia’s wardrobe for this sojourn plus the remainder of the Season, which had them too much in each other’s pockets.

“Very well.” Gemma suppressed a sigh.

“Excellent,” Guy said. “I will hie myself to the stable and choose a horse for you. At your service, Mrs. Cooke. Miss Broadbent. Mrs. Spencer.” He made a bow to each of them, his eyes twinkling at Aunt Margot. “An even higher turban today, I see. I stand in awe of you, madam.”

“Go on with you, silly boy.” Aunt Margot flapped a hand at him, but her cheeks were pink with enjoyment.

Within the hour, Gemma, in her dark blue riding habit and hat, was seated on a sturdy young hunter called Rose—named by Ash’s daughter Evie. Rose took Gemma at a steady walk out of the stable yard to the path that led across fields and down to the river beyond Ash’s demesne.

Eight riders in all trotted along the trail that edged the farmlands, a mix of Ash’s and Helena’s friends who had come to enjoy a brief holiday from London. Ash led the way, and Guy brought up the rear.

Gemma rode directly in front of Guy and behind another lady. Perhaps it was best she was positioned so, or she’d be staring fixedly at Guy’s strong hips the entire journey. Even so, she found frequent excuses to turn and look back at him.

Guy rode very well. Gemma could see the cavalry officer in him in the way he sat, his horse responding to his subtlest command.

Gemma admitted to herself that her gaze went most often to his thighs outlined by tight leather breeches.

Once they were clear of farmer’s fields, Ash picked up a faster pace across a meadow dotted with spring flowers. Lambs followed ewes in the distance, like tiny white clouds in a vast green sky.

“How is your mount?” Guy asked behind her.

Gemma patted Rose’s neck. “She is delightful.” The mare, a bay, had a luxurious black mane that warmed Gemma’s gloved hands. “A fine choice. I thank you.”

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