Page 59 of The Masked Baron
She lifted the pillow she was embroidering. “Mrs. Lewis has found a way for me to be useful.”
Ellis crossed the room and took the pillow from her hand. He studied the image she had started. It was the head of a horse. “You are very good.”
Andalin tilted her head to the side as she examined it. “If horses have two eyes on one side of their head. Never mind; tell me what has occupied you.”
Ellis sat down beside her and propped one foot up on his other knee. “I had a letter from Kerrigan. He will be able to get away sooner than he thought. He hopes to come the day after tomorrow.”
Andalin’s smile stretched across her face. “That is good news.” She wouldn’t be stuck spending three hours a day embroidering if she had more company.
Ellis studied her face for a moment before continuing. “He must be eager to have resolved his business so quickly.”
She foresaw too much needlework in her near future to complain about Lord Kerrigan’s change of plans. Not to mention that if he was around, then Ellis would be too. Only, the way Ellis picked at a thread on the hem of his breeches made it seem like he might not agree with her assessment of the situation.
“Does it not make you happy to have him come so soon?” Andalin asked.
“Nonsense. I always enjoy Kerrigan’s company,” Ellis remarked, though he changed the subject rather quickly. “Did you notice the fine weather outside? I think the sunshine will hold through tomorrow as well.”
“Yes, it’s comforting to know,” Andalin said, wondering where the conversation was going.
Ellis cleared his throat. “I thought it would be a good opportunity, if your schedule is free of course, for you to accompany me on a short ride.”
“My pillow here has quite demanded all my free time, but I do think I could squeeze in a ride.” Andalin refrained from squealing with excitement.
“Excellent,” Ellis said, his eyes taking on a merry glint. “I thought I would have Matilda pack us a basket. There is a small waterfall a short distance from here that would make a nice place for a picnic.” Ellis held her eyes with his, and her stomach flipped.
“Picnic?”
Ellis picked at the thread again. “Yes, that is what they call eating out of doors.”
She laughed, tired of being serious. “A picnic sounds very fine.” It didn’t matter to her if they took a turn around the dining room, so long as she was with him. Ellis’s comments to her at the cemetery about nothing changing had squelched her hopes almost entirely. Now, in one invitation, she found them soaring again.
“Good. I have business and will be away during dinner, so I will see you in the morning for our outing.”
Andalin watched Ellis leave. Maybe there truly was room in his heart for her.
***
Ellis’s absence at breakfast fueled Andalin’s anticipation for their outing together. She was sitting impatiently in the window seat of the drawing room when Ellis came for her. She was already in her riding habit and practically jumped from her seat with eagerness.
“Good morning,” Ellis said cheerfully. “You have color in your cheeks. You must be well.”
If she wasn’t blushing before, she was now. “Are we set, then?”
Ellis gave her a quick nod and offered her his hand. A thrill went up her arm as she accepted it.
Once at the stables, Ellis helped her mount Ginger. She followed close behind him on a small trail, with Birks trailing behind them. They circled to the back of the house and came up along the outside of the Black Forest. They traveled on the perimeter for a good hour in contented silence. For once, no questions, no mystery, no matters of circumstance or rank of her birth seemed to distract her. She allowed herself to just be with Ellis.
When Ellis veered his horse into the trees, Andalin nudged Ginger to follow suit. They crossed a small stream and started to follow along the banks.
“This is where Birks leaves us to check on a tenant. I’m afraid it cannot be helped, but I promise I will be on my best behavior. It’s not much farther. Are you warm enough?”
Andalin nodded, relieved they would have some privacy. “It is a bit cooler in the shade of the trees, but I assure you I am sufficiently warm.”
“Good. Tell me if you start to feel too cold, and we can turn around.”
“The weather could not be better for this time of year,” she said, though a snowstorm would not convince her to give up her picnic.
Ellis smiled and then turned back to direct the way as Birks left in another direction.
