Page 13 of Annabelle Enchants the Rejected Earl
Chapter 6
After a fitful night of sleep,Annabelle felt stressed, frustrated, and very unrested the following morning. Lord Ashdown haunted her nightmares, proving to her that she could not even escape him as she slept. If things carried on in the way that they had been going, soon her nightmares would become a reality and the rest of her life would beruined.
Her father loved Watson, and he seemed to like him more and more as the days went on. Annabelle had failed in her mission to make him see the truth about what an awful man he was, and where that would lead she had noidea.
The house made her feel claustrophobic, it was almost as if the walls were closing in on her, reminding her that she had failed. Annabelle did not have anywhere to go, but she wanted to spend some time outside, sucking in the crisp, fresh air. She needed something to clear her mind, and the gardens was the closest thing that she could think of. Her father could still find her out there if he really wanted, but it was harder than if she was inside thehouse.
Annabelle left rapidly, being careful not to attract the attention of even the house staff as she slid outside. When the warm air surrounded her, and the fresh smelling garden filled her nostrils, a part of the weight lifted from her shoulder, leaving her a little freer. Her problems had not changed, they were still just as troublesome, but with the heat of the sunshine beaming down onto her shoulders, Annabelle could feel herself getting a much-neededbreak.
This is fun,she thought to herself as her steps turned into a little skip.I should spend more time outhere.
Despite the fact that summer was coming to an end, a lot of the flowers were still in bloom, and the lush, thick green grass made Annabelle feel like she was more at one with nature. With no one watching her, Annabelle flung her arms out widely at her sides and she spun around as if she was dancing. A giggle even flew out of her mouth. It was almost as if her fear had turned into a hysteria. It was a strange sensation, but Annabelle much preferred it tosadness.
Maybe she should run away. Maybe she would be better off living alone and free. That would certainly be preferable to being LadyAshdown...
Oh,my!
All of a sudden, a shadow caught her eye, causing Annabelle to stop and stagger on her, now very dizzy, feet. Her eyes blurred, she could hardly focus, but she knew that someone was there in the distance. She just hoped that whoever it was had not been watching her acting foolishly while she wasalone.
Who isthat?
As her eyes began to focus finally, she realized that the person was riding one of the family horses, and he was quickly coming towardsher.
Annabelle had almost forgotten that there were horses on the family grounds, they had never really interested her at all. The animals had probably not been ridden much since Beatrice left home, it was always her that adored them best. Her mother had encouraged Annabelle to try riding when she was young but she had not ever wanted to. The large beasts scared her, and she was not bothered enough to try and get overthat.
Watching the man come towards her on the majestic beast, Annabelle was less certain of her decision. Somehow, he made riding look fun and exciting. The sight of him made her picture herself astride a horse, looking beautiful and commanding just as he did. He might have been wearing muddy, brown, cheap looking clothing, but on the top of the horse he looked more powerful than any Lord Annabelle had everseen.
As he came clearer into view, Annabelle ran her eyes all over him. He was strong, muscular looking with powerful shoulders, and he was handsome too. His blond, slightly shaggy hair was adorable and his sky-blue eyes had an instant, very friendly look. Annabelle gulped down as her heart skipped an unexpectedbeat.
What is happening to me?Annabelle thought as butterflies burst to life and fluttered around in her stomach. She clutched onto her belly tightly, willing them to go away so that she could think straight.Stop it, Annabelle, benormal.
“Who are you?” she asked him coldly, accidently creating too much of a distance between herself and the handsome man. “And what are you doing on my father’shorse?”
The boy swung his leg around and he jumped to the ground with ease. It made Annabelle’s head spin to imagine leaping from the large beast without hesitation. Even though she had grown up, the height of a horse still terrified her. It towered much too high into thesky.
"I am terribly sorry, my Lady. My name is Floyd Brewer and I actually work for you father in thestables."
He works for father?Annabelle was shocked by that. She did not presume to think that she knew everyone who worked for her family, but she felt like this was a face she should have known.Maybe I need to be out in the gardens moreoften!
“Still.” She bristled, trying to cover up the sparks he’d caused, confusing her terribly. “That does not explain why you are on thehorse.”
Floyd patted the sandy coloured beast behind him with a bright smile on his face. His smile created dimples in his cheeks, which only made him even more handsome. “Oh, you mean Primrose? I am terribly sorry, she just looked like she needed arun.”
“How can you tell?” Annabelle asked, feeling surprisingly curious. “Does Primrose talk toyou?”
“Not with words, no.” Floyd smiled cheekily. He was not at all bothered by Annabelle’s coldness. He actually found it endearing, mostly because he could sense that she did not truly mean it. “But I can see it in her eyes. She has not been out for a while and she needed to stretch herlegs.”
“Good job you are herethen.”
“Do you not like to ride?” Floyd looked completely bewildered by that. “I would assume that you would love it, living in such a wonderfulplace.”
Annabelle shrugged, she did not have a satisfactory answer to that question. It was difficult to be witty, or even clever, when her tummy twisted up in knots at the mere sight of thisman.
Stop it,she warned herself. Stop feeling things, this man is a stable boy for goodness sake! Just because he is good looking, does not mean I can likehim.
“Well, if you would ever like to start riding, I would love to help you withthat.”
Their eyes connected, Annabelle could not stop her pulse from quickening and her mouth from running dry. All memories of Lord Ashdown and his horrible, manipulative nature flew right out of her mind as she stared at this rugged, handsome man. He looked nothing like the Lord or anyone that she knew actually, and that made him that much more attractive toher.
