Page 28 of My Hellion, My Heart
“Because of France,” Irina whispered.
Lana nodded. “He’s never confided in me, but yes, Lady Langlevit has suggested that what happened to him is beyond understanding. I fear much of him was lost there.” She pulled Irina close. “I don’t want you to lose your heart to him and have it broken. You cannot save him, no matter how much you may wish to.” Her voice wavered. “Trust me, Henry does not want to be saved.”
“How do you know?”
“Because he told me so.” In the same breath, Lana’s body swayed slightly against hers and Irina wrapped her arms around her.
“What’s wrong? Are you well?”
“Yes, I am.” Lana gave a reassuring, albeit wan, smile. “Can you ring for my maid? I may need to lie down after all.”
Once her sister was ensconced in her room and Irina was convinced it was only fatigue, she made her way downstairs. She did not wish to remain indoors. The walls of the manor felt like they were closing in upon her. Her body felt restless and on edge. She needed a ride. Or a run.
Despite Lana’s cautionary statements, Irina wanted to see Henry.
Decide for herself that he was a lost cause.
Save her heart, if she could.
With a firm nod, Irina strode to the foyer and instructed Morley, the butler, that she was in need of a horse. Returning to her chamber, she dressed in one of the special riding habits she’d had designed in Paris, ones that allowed her to ride astride. She loathed riding sidesaddle. The earl hadn’t seemed too shocked by her unexpected attire the day before, and she was now in the country with everyone of importance still in London.
As a lady, she had no business riding unchaperoned and uninvited to the earl’s residence, but perhaps, if necessary, she could simply say she’d come to visit Lady Langlevit, who still resided in a collection of rooms at Hartstone.
Hartstone was not far, and she made the trip in under thirty minutes. Her heart racing, she knocked at the door, which was opened by Henry and the countess’s ancient butler, who’d been with them in Cumbria, as well. Carlton’s face cracked a doting smile as he ushered her into the foyer and bowed low. “Princess Volkonsky.”
“You look well, Carlton,” she said with a smile. “Is Lady Langlevit at home?”
“She is not, Your Highness.”
“And his lordship?”
“You have just missed him. He’s taking a tour of the north end of the estate.” He peered at her. “Shall I leave any message?”
“No, thank you, Carlton. It was impulsive of me to arrive unannounced. Actually, please do convey my thanks to Lady Langlevit for allowing me to accompany her yesterday. I shall see myself out. Good day.”
“And to you, Your Highness.”
Outside, she saddled the horse and made to return to Stanton Park. She paused at the end of the long drive and studied the north end of the estate over her shoulder. If Henry had only just left, she would be able to catch up to him.You are behaving scandalously, her inner voice warned, but Irina paid it no notice.
Her inner voice sounded too much like Lana.
Turning her mount about and consulting the rising sun’s position, she headed north. She had no idea where she was going, but she followed what looked like a well-used bridle path.
“This was a silly idea,” she said to herself after a quarter of an hour had passed with no sign of anyone, much less the elusive Earl of Langlevit. The manicured grass of the landscaped gardens had turned into something wilder, and the surrounding wood had thickened considerably. Defeated, she was about to turn around when she heard a soft nicker. Following the sound, Irina found herself in a small clearing with a stable. She recognized Henry’s favorite horse. Dismounting and latching hers to the fence post alongside it, she stroked its velvet nose. The horse’s flanks were still warm, as if Henry had only just left.
“And where is that wandering master of yours?” she asked in a whisper.
Leaving the horse, Irina walked to the far side of the stable barn and her jaw dropped open in wonder. Henry hadn’t been joking when he’d said that his course was fashioned after a military training area. Her eyes fairly goggled at the start of the path, which included some kind of woven rope ladder and a massive wooden wall pierced with studs.
She knew she should turn around and go back the way she’d come. But seeing the course was like a gauntlet being thrown. Irina grinned. There was no chance she was going home.
Adrenaline thumped in her chest as she bent to tighten her boots and then discarded the swallowtail coat. It would only get in the way. With a running leap, she threw herself onto the roped grid, hauling arm over arm as she grappled her way across some kind of mud pit. The studded wall was trickier. It was built for the span of a man, but with some creative maneuvering, she was able to get herself to the top. She rappelled deftly down the other side, feeling pleased with herself.
“That wasn’t so bad,” she said aloud, making for the next set.
Thirty minutes later, she was cursing, instead. Her lungs ached as if they were on fire. It had felt like she’d been climbing up for hours. She’d wrenched her ankle jumping from rock to rock, and was currently attempting to slide down a gravelly hill on her bottom. It was not pleasant. Or fun. Or fast.
If the earl had come this way, he was miles ahead of her by now. Dusting herself off, she navigated another rock wall and hopped across a series of carefully placed beams. Every muscle in her body burned, but even though it was difficult, Irina couldn’t help feeling a fierce burst of pleasure beneath the ache. The exertion was exactly what she’d needed.
