Page 15 of How to Charm an Earl
“You will not convince me that it is in my best interest not to don them while I ride. I’ve had this argument with my father, and I will not have it with you.” Athena glared at him. “I don’t wear them outside of our property. I’ll never wear them riding in Hyde Park.” She rolled her eyes. “I do understand some decorum is necessary. But when I ride Hades, I like the freedom breeches allow.”
“I had no intention of ordering you out of them.” Roman’s gaze trailed over her body. “At least not in the way you’re suggesting.”
She laughed. “Darling, you just had a sound argument as to why I needed to put my clothes back on. Do not tell me that you now have reconsidered.” Athena adored this man…
“I much prefer you in a state of undress,” he agreed. “But we do not have time to frolic any longer. The sun is rising, and I need to see you home.” Roman tilted his head to the side. “Is your father in residence?”
Her father had sent her home with servants. He wouldn’t be there waiting for them. For that, she was grateful, since she had spent the entire night in the cabin. Though her maid and the rest of the servants might wonder what had happened to her. She met Roman’s gaze. “He’s in London.”
“Then I’ll have to return there to ask for your hand.” He kissed her cheek. “Will you miss me?”
“Always,” she said. Then she frowned. “How did you know where to find me? I mean yesterday afternoon. I hadn’t stopped at the pond as I usually do.”
Roman smiled. “I went to call on you first, but the butler informed me that you had gone for a ride. I headed toward the pond to search for you. You were a good distance ahead of me, but I saw you galloping in the distance, and you had flown right by the pond. I did my best to follow you in the hope I would eventually catch up to you.”
“That explains it.” She hadn’t thought to ask him that the day before. Another thought occurred to her. “You spoke with my sisters. What did they tell you?”
“Not much,” he said. Roman paused for a moment before continuing. “What happened to send you running? They inferred that the ton was not welcoming, and you decided to end your season early.”
How much should she tell him? Would it scare him away? She should be honest with him. If they had any chance of having a good relationship, she needed to tell him the entire story. She had almost finished reading her mother’s journal. “I need to show you something. Give me a minute.” Athena went out to Hades and retrieved the journal from her saddlebag. Fortunately, the rain hadn’t ruined it and the leather of the saddlebag had protected it from becoming waterlogged. Athena rushed back in and flipped through it. “Here, read this page.”
Today I learned that my family’s past will follow me wherever I go. It doesn’t matter that there is no truth in the rumors or that my ancestor had been exonerated. The very fact that he had been arrested for witchcraft all those years ago still haunts the Alden family. I am an Alden first, and everyone knows that. My fear is that it will follow my daughters and their daughters. If I could save them from that possibility, I would. Isla is merely two, and soon I’ll give birth to twins. There is something I have never told my husband. He would love me regardless, at least I believe he would… Nevertheless, I cannot risk seeing fear in his eyes. It would devastate me. I’ve seen my own death and when my twins are born, I’ll never see them grow. This may be the last passage I write in here. I pray it is not. One day, they will find men to love them. I’ve seen that too. Fear of the future will delay the first, and temptation will be too much for one twin, and heartbreak will be another’s undoing. In the end, if they choose the right path, it will lead to a happy future, and even if our family’s supposed magical abilities haunt them, that love will be enough to guide them.
My daughters, if you’re reading this, have faith. Believe in love, and beyond all, be true to yourselves. I love you more than anything. I have no regrets. You were my greatest gift and if I could be with you now, I would be.
Sybil, Countess of Harwood.
Roman glanced at her. “You’re not a witch.”
Athena stared at him. “Of course not, and neither was my mother. Though this suggests she had other special gifts. That might let others believe that she did have some magical capabilities.”
“Do you think she actually saw the future?” he asked. “Is this why you ran?”
“No,” she said as she shook her head. “I didn’t run because of this. I hadn’t even read it before I decided to leave. There was an incident in the park and it made me afraid.” She tapped the journal lightly. “The first is delayed by fear. That is me. Though I suppose it could be Isla, too. Fear is delaying her from finding happiness, but then again, so is heartbreak.” Athena shrugged. “I do know one thing. I will not let anyone scare me into rejecting happiness. I’m going to take my mother’s advice and believe in our love and remain true to who I am. I won’t apologize to anyone for something that is beyond my control.”
“And you shouldn’t have to,” he agreed. “Let’s get you home and then I’ll go to London to speak with your father.”
“Yes,” she said. “It’s time.”
They went outside. Athena tucked the journal safely into her saddlebag and gracefully mounted her horse. Their night together was at an end, but someday soon she’d be his wife and they would never be separated again.
Roman remained by Athena’s side as they made their way back to Harwood Hall. The manor was impressive, though impressive, it was not nearly as grand as Thornridge’s vast estate. That was to be expected, he supposed, considering Harwood was an earl and Thornridge was a higher rank. Athena led him to the stables and dismounted from her beast of a horse, then handed the reins over to a stable hand.
“Be careful when you’re removing his saddle. He’s a little ornerier than usual because he was tied to a post all night. I would brush him, but I’m sore myself.”
“He’ll be all right, my lady. Hades and I have become friends. You remain his favorite, but he’ll tolerate me if you are unavailable.”
“Good,” Athena said. She petted Hades’ mane. “I will come see you later. I promise.” She turned toward Roman. He’d dismounted from his own horse and left him with another stable hand.
“I’ll see you inside before I leave,” he told her.
“That’s unnecessary. I know my way home. It isn’t even that far from here.” She winked at him, and Roman grinned.
“I’ll feel better. Humor me.”
“In that case,” she began. “I would be happy to have you walking with me back to the manor.”
She looped her arm with his and they strolled leisurely toward her home. He couldn’t wait to make her his wife and have her in his home. They went inside and they both froze in the foyer. Her father was there and neither of them had expected that.
