Page 14 of Annabelle Enchants the Rejected Earl
“Thank you, that sounds lovely,” she mumbled with flushed cheeks. “I do not know why I have not riddenbefore.”
“Oh, you should. It feels wonderful.” As Floyd’s eyes misted with the memories of horse riding, Annabelle wanted to ride even more. There had to be something special about it if it made him this happy. “I believe you would loveit.”
“Yes. Maybe Iwill.”
“Right,” Floyd pulled himself back into the present moment. “I am going to take Primrose back to the stables, I do need to get back to work. It has been nice talking withyou...”
“Oh, sorry, I am Annabelle Hathaway.” She reached out to shake his hand. As Floyd took it, a hot buzzing raced over Annabelle’s skin, sending a delicious thrill racing up and down her spine. “Do you mind if I walk with you?” When he did not immediately answer her, she felt compelled to explain herself. “If I am going to start horse riding at the grand old age of eighteen, then I suppose I should see where the horsesstay.”
“Yes, of course. I am happy to show you everything you would like to know.” Floyd stepped away from Annabelle and he wrapped Primrose’s lead around his fingers. “Come on, let usgo.”
Annabelle had to force herself not to skip as they walked across her family’s land, making casual small talk. Her heart pumped rapidly, her whole body felt warm and excitable, but she was not in any danger, it was all justfun...
It is alright, she told herself nonchalantly.At least I am in no danger of really falling for Floyd. He is only the stable boy, there is no chance my father will allow me to marry him. He is only a harmlesscrush.
“You are not anything like your sister, are you?” Floyd eventually mused thoughtfully, surprisinglyAnnabelle.
“You knowBeatrice?”
Annabelle wondered why Beatrice had never mentioned the handsome stable boy to her. Although, if she was actually attracted to her husband, then maybe she did not think he was good looking enough to mention... or maybe she dismissed him instantly without even considering him, simply because of his class status. Beatrice would never even consider breaking that rule, not even in hermind.
“She spent a lot of time outside, and with the horses too. We never spoke much, but you still seem very different toher.”
“What do you mean?” Annabelle knew that she was nothing like Beatrice, but she wanted to understand why this virtual stranger thought the same. It was not like staff to reveal such honest opinions about anything, and Annabelle was intrigued to see why Floyd thought it was alright to do justthat.
Also, there was a part of her that wanted to know if he liked her too, even if nothing could ever come ofit.
“I do not mean to offend you,” Floyd backtracked a little bit instantly recognising his mistake. He had often been told that he let his mouth run away with him at times. “I just see a very different spirit within you. You seem much freer.” He paused thoughtfully, choosing his next words carefully. “I feel like you have an adventurous nature deep down and that you take life by thehorns.”
Oh my goodness!Annabelle grinned brightly, enjoying the way that Floyd saw her, even if he did not know her that well. It reminded her that she was a wonderful girl with a lot to offer the world. The incident with Lord Ashdown stripped down a lot of her confidence, but now with just a small sentence, she could feel a tiny bit of it creepingback.
“That is... yes, I think that is a very goodobservation.”
Annabelle watched in admiration as Floyd guided Primrose back into the stables. He commanded respect from the magnificent beast, but he did it in a kind gentle way. The way he did things wasverydifferent to her father, but it got a very similar result. It was wonderful to watch. It made her feel even happier thanbefore.
“She loves you,” she commented idly at Floyd. “Primrose really lovesyou.”
“She is a gentle giant,” Floyd replied while smoothing her down. “Absolutely wonderful to ride. If you wish to start out learning, she will be perfect foryou.”
For a moment, Annabelle wanted to run with her instinctive nature. She wanted to rush to Floyd’s side, to wrap her arms around him, to lose herself in a wonderful embrace with this very wonderful man who thought she was a free spirit. She did not even care about maintaining a Lady-like appearance, she just wanted to go with her gut and to do exactly as shewanted.
Which was exactly why shehadto pull away. It was a whole lot of fun, but she could not allow the crush todeepen.
“Well, it has been lovely to spend time with you,” she said rapidly as her feet backed away. “But I must go inside now, I have many things to do.” She pushed her lips into a thin line, wishing that she could stop herself from talking. “But maybe I will see you another time... I mean you and Primrose, of course. Both of you. For...riding.”
“That sounds wonderful, Lady AnnabelleHathaway.”
“Yes, you too, Floyd Brewer.” Even his name was exotic. Annabelle did not know anyone named anything like that and it lit her on fire. She could not cool herself down, however hard she tried. “Goodbye.”
Her cheeks flamed, she fixed her eyes on the ground, and her feet ran quickly. She did not mean for that to happen, she meant to spend time with nature clearing her mind. Instead of sorting out her problems, she had simply added to them. Now, she had a crush to contend with aswell.
He is a stable boy, I cannot like him, this is not a problem at all. I will not make it a problem in my mind, I cannot. I have enough to dealwith.
