Page 37 of The Earl's Reluctant Bride
He watched as Elizabeth walked toward him and he saw how comfortable she was in her attire.
Alexander’s brows furrowed. “I never did ask. How did you come to be in possession of a pair of breeches?”
“They belonged to Barlow. I am perfectly capable of mending a simple article of clothing you know.”
“I see.”
“I have worn them before, on several occasions for that matter.”
Alexander chuckled. “Do I really want to know?”
Elizabeth crinkled her nose. “I will not be riding side saddle but rather astride.”
Alexander's gaze swept to her face and realized she did not jest. He summoned the staff to ask for Elizabeth's saddle to be changed.
“You do remember Marie Antoinette wore breaches when she went riding.”
“It was frowned upon then as it is now. It was said she assumed the gesture of pose of a man which caused a bit of a stir even then.”
“I shall commission a portrait of myself in this very masculine-style riding outfit. I know just the artist to capture it.” Elizabeth quipped with barely suppressed laughter.
Alexander thought she was being impish today. There were many facets to Elizabeth which made her even more interesting and she was most certainly not the usual belle of the ball. Nevertheless, she was a contradiction. She was independent, resourceful, and fierce, yet Salisbury was able to take advantage of her. This was especially surprising since she was a normally competent lady who wandered into a trap she should clearly have noticed was being set for her. How did she not see it?
Alexander pushed the thought from his mind. To be fair to Elizabeth he had noticed upon his return that she seemed to be recovering from her ordeal quite well. There was the promise of a happy future for them. The groom appeared with Elizabeth’s horse and she went over and stroked it from its main to its flank.
“He’s beautiful, Alexander. Thank you.” Elizabeth ambled over and planted a kiss on his lips. Her eyes were wet, but he had no chance to speak with her further for she spun around and mounted her horse with fluid movement. She sat astride and gazed down at him as though he was being tardy. Alexander broke into a smile as he mounted his horse and they set off in a trot. He guided Elizabeth on one of his favorite riding paths through the woods and they enjoyed the scenery and the warm sunshine.
They went up the brow of a hill, to the crest which revealed a breathtaking view below.
Elizabeth looked out over the wide expanse. “This view is beautiful, Alexander.”
He took a deep breath into his lungs and he felt as though he was on top of the world. “That it is.”
Alexander dismounted and assisted her from her saddle. He would often come here to admire the great beauty below or to find solace. He overlooked the broad valley and felt at peace. He wondered if it held mystical powers, for he could not recall ever feeling unease or worry when he departed from it. It was a magnificent view that swept for miles. When he had taken rides at dawn,the hills ahead were a silhouette, shrouded in the delicate hues of the waking sky. But as the sun rose higher, it bathed the rocky slopes in a golden radiance, revealing a tapestry of earthy reds and rusty oranges, a testament to the iron-rich soil from which it was born.
Alexander turned to gaze at Elizabeth and he realized that she saw it too. It was tranquility at its essence. Alexander had crafted benches under large trees overlooking the valley and he held out his hand and directed Elizabeth toward one.
“Would you like to sit for a spell?”
“Certainly. Do you come here often?”
“I do on my morning rides, if I feel uneasy or the need to be alone.”
They both sat on the bench and Elizabeth snuggled close to him and he placed his arms around her waist as she rested her head on his shoulder. Almost immediately she raised her head to gaze into his eyes.
“I hope I have not given you cause to come here to unburden yourself,” Elizabeth had a twinkle in her eyes.
Alexander chuckled. “Not as of yet. I sincerely hope you shall not, my dear.”
Her face was full of mischief. “I cannot promise you that Alexander. I have a bit of a fondness for causing mishaps and provoking others.”
“I know that you like fun and lightheartedness. I noticed that when I came up on you with the puppies.”
“Hmm, tell me more,” she said playfully.
“You are resilient. You have had a particularly challenging time lately and you did not let it break you. You have maintained your sense of humor, cheerful behavior, and you have a willingness to engage in activities that you find enjoyable. Your positive attitude in the face of it all lifts the spirit of the ones around you.”
Alexander understood that he admired her as the words rushed forth. He meant every word that he said. When it came down to it, he would rather have Elizabeth any day more than a lady who would have had a fit of the vapors when confronted at the inn. She had remained stoic in the face of a situation that was all too difficult to navigate. He considered it a fortunate stroke of serendipity that they had caught up with Elizabeth before it was too late. It is not that he would not have wished to court her in the traditional sense. It was more that he did not have much patience for the pomp and ceremony of courting.
