Page 68 of Marrying a Reluctant Lady
“I suppose,” she said. “You seem pleased.”
“I am,” he said, and that teasing smile lit her up inside again as he shone it in her direction.
She let him ride off ahead, not inquiring what it was that had made him so pleased.
They rode back towards London and Lady Haredale’s manor.
The ride from Ivystone to the manor, where they were currently lodging, took almost three hours, so they rode slowly, sparing the horses in the heat. Haredale manor had a vast garden and stables, and their horses had all found excellent accommodation there. Julia had also been happy for Benjamin, the youth who had looked after the horses at Ivystone, to come and stay and look after them there, ensuring some familiarity for them in a life that needed some anchoring after so much upheaval.
“Not too long now,” Owen commented as they reached the main road that would take them back. Little more than a dirt track across the hillside, the road led them steadily upward through woodlands towards London.
“No. We should be there soon,” Ophelia agreed.
They rode on, passing occasional homesteads and here and there places for travelers to stay. The day was warm by the time they reached Haredale Manor, and Ophelia paused on Cherryred, reaching into her pocket to find a handkerchief. Her brow was damp from the sun beating down all morning.
“Whew. Let’s go inside. You must be thirsty too,” Owen commented, waiting for her to dismount. Shadow was drinking at the trough, making vast quantities of water disappear seemingly without effort. Ophelia grinned, slipping out of the saddle and jumping neatly down, a feat that made her heart bright. She led her mount to the trough and let her drink, then handed the reins to the stable hand to let him groom her.
Owen slipped his arm into hers and they walked up slowly towards the house. Ophelia could feel the sunshine on her face and the warmth of Owen through his shirt and her cheeksburned with warmth. She loved being close to him and loved it when they could touch and kiss, as now.
“My sweetheart,” Owen murmured as they kissed on the front step. His eyes glowed as he looked into hers and she felt her heart race.
“My dear.”
They shared a smile and as soon as Lady Haredale’s butler had opened the door for them, they hurried inside.
“Lemonade, please,” Owen requested of the butler as they walked upstairs. “And please inform my aunt that we have returned and are in the drawing room?”
“Of course, my lord,” The butler agreed politely.
Ophelia sat down. The drawing room at Haredale was big and airy, with many windows, and at this time of day it was deliciously cool. She shut her eyes for a moment, letting the cool breeze blowing in from below the shady trees outside cool her skin.
“It’s rather nice, isn’t it?” Owen asked her.
“Mm. Deliciously cool,” she agreed. “A well-situated drawing room for the summer.”
“Yes. Maybe not for winter, though,” Owen answered smilingly. “I had thought we could do something like it at Ivystone, but we would have to talk with the architect to see what could be done to make it warmer in the winter.”
“That would be grand,” Ophelia agreed brightly.
They discussed plans for the new manor often. There were so many things they wished to improve about the place, so many ideas they had, and they found that they could work extremely well together in planning.
“...and we’d have to consider how many windows too, of course,” Owen began as they planned the way the windows would have to be orientated and designed to make the room cool enough.
“Nephew! Ophelia. You’re back. Grand. How was your ride?” Julia asked them, walking into the drawing room.
“It was lovely, Aunt,” Owen replied, standing and bowing low. He straightened up and smiled at his aunt, who grinned back.
“Good. Good! I see you have some lemonade. Grand. Would you like an hour before we sit down to luncheon together?” she asked.
Owen glanced at Ophelia, then nodded.
“I think so, Aunt. But only if you’re not hungry now. I would not wish to delay your meal, and I know Ophelia says exactly the same.”
“Exactly,” Ophelia agreed instantly. Julia chuckled.
“You’re both dear. I am quite happy to wait. I had a lovely morning drinking chocolate with Prunella.” She smiled. “So, I am not hungry and am quite happy if you’d like an hour.”
“Thank you,” Ophelia said warmly. Prunella was Julia’s daughter-in-law.
