Page 71 of To Love And To Cherish
Mary King descended first, then Miss Trent. Elizabeth followed and felt the full measure of his gaze.
"Welcome to Castle Roy," Adam said, his voice low and sure.
Miss Trent introduced each of the ladies, and Adam responded with a slight bow. “You are most welcome here.” He offered his arm to Elizabeth. "Miss Bennet, may I?"
Daniel stepped forward to escort Miss King, while Lucas offered his arm to Miss Trent. They were taken inside for tea and then shown to their rooms.
Elizabeth’s thoughts, upon first seeing Adam, were in tumult. He was not, strictly speaking, handsome; his features were too austere, but there was an undeniable magnetism about him. His eyes, dark and piercing, seemed to weigh her in a single glance. His hair was thick and wavy, his frame strong and well-formed. Altogether, he was very well-looking.
But not like Mr. Darcy, she thought. He was neither so fine-featured nor so handsome or refined. Still… there was a certain magnetism that seemed to emanate from the man.
She was a little in love with Mr. Darcy still, and she knew it.
After tea, they toured the stables, and Adam extended an invitation.
“I hope you will all ride with us tomorrow,” he said.
Elizabeth flushed. “I’m ashamed to admit I do not ride.”
He smiled, the first she had seen from him. “Then I shall teach you.”
Mary King admitted she did not ride either, and Daniel offered to be her tutor.
Miss Trent, however, was proficient, and Lucas invited her to ride through the woods in the morning.
The next day, Miss Trent assisted Elizabeth into her new scarlet riding habit. “You look stunning,” she said with a smile. “Adam will most certainly take notice.”
She cast Elizabeth a knowing look. “In fact, I daresay he already has. He placed you in this very fine, very large room, did he not?”
Elizabeth laughed. “He hardly had time to choose my room, let alone form any such intentions.”
But the roomwaslarge and beautiful.
The morning was clear and sharp, with frost still clinging to the grass as Adam came to walk Elizabeth to the stables. The path meandered between the herb garden and the orchard, and Elizabeth found herself both nervous and delighted to be alone in his company.
“You must know,” she said, cheeks flaming, “that I am not only inexperienced, but quite afraid of horses.”
Adam glanced down at her, amusement flickering in his eyes, though his tone was gentle. “Afraid? Why, may I ask?”
Elizabeth sighed. “It is a foolish tale. When I was five, I was a most ill-behaved child. I refused to listen to my papa and mounted a horse on my own. Maisy, our old pony, bolted, and I flew over her head and landed hard on my left arm. I broke it, and I’ve been wary of horses ever since.”
He chuckled. “Then we must remedy that. I have just the horse for you. She is gentle and sweet-tempered. You will love her.”
He called for the stable boy. “Bring Kelpie out.”
A few moments later, a stunning black mare was led from the stables. Her lustrous coat was shiny, her eyes soft, and she approached with ears forward.
Adam took Elizabeth’s hand. “Kelpie, meet Miss Bennet.”
The horse sniffed at Elizabeth’s fingers, then her chest, before stepping closer. Elizabeth stood very still, and Adam spoke softly.
“Let her learn your scent. Horses know more than we give them credit for.”
Elizabeth nodded, mesmerized by the mare’s calm demeanor. When it was time, Adam offered his hands and helped her mount. The side-saddle felt strange and unstable beneath her. Her back was stiff, her balance off, and she gripped the pommel too tightly.
“Relax your seat,” Adam instructed. “You’re too rigid. Think of moving with the horse, not against her.”
She tried, but her left leg kept slipping from its position, and her posture pitched too far to the side.
