Page 50 of The Rules of Matrimony
“Oh, go on,” Lady Kellen said. “It’s a beautiful day, and you both should be out enjoying it. Your father has some correspondence to finish, and I saw a good book in your library that I haven’t read for an age. We will be perfectly content, so you must ride as long as you’d like.”
Amie glanced at Lord Kellen to see what he thought of this new arrangement. His mouth drew into a grim line, but he did not look up from his newspaper.
Ian squeezed her hand. “Very well, we will be off.” He led her out of the room and did not release her hand until they were in front of their bedchamber, where they could change into their riding clothes. “I might not be the most perceptive,” he said, “but I could tell you desired an escape.”
She grimaced. “I didn’t mean to be obvious. I hope your mother is not offended.”
Ian opened the door for her. “Did you see how excited she became when I said we were riding? Her smile was like a child at Twelfth Night. I warned you that she is the queen of matchmakers. Apparently, her enthusiasm extends to after weddings too.”
“But your father—”
“Don’t worry about him. I just remembered something though. Go right ahead and call for Edna and change into your riding habit while I take care of it.”
She had been wondering what excuse he would give her to allow her privacy. “An excellent plan. Should we meet at the stables?”
Ian took several backward steps. “Yes. The stables in a half hour.”
She grinned and let herself into her room. Thirty minutes later, almost on the dot, she approached the stables. Dressed in her new forest-green riding habit and fashionable hat with a feathered plume in the back, courtesy of her aunt, she searched for any sign of Ian.She must have beat him there. As soon as she’d finished the thought, the stable doors opened, and Ian came out leading his large gelding. A groom followed behind him with a smaller roan-colored mare.
She watched Ian’s eyes appraise her habit. The smallest smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. She took it as a sign of his approval.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
She bit her bottom lip. “I forgot to tell you, I haven’t had much experience riding.”
Ian grinned. “I daresay this was even more inspired than I thought.” He handed his reins to the groom and exchanged them for that of the mare. Then he led the mare to the mounting block and waved Amie over. She obeyed, but her steps were tentative. The horse was beautiful from a distance but rather large up close. It had been some years since she had ridden, and sudden nerves fluttered in her middle.
Ian held his hand out to her once more. “Don’t be shy.” His smile was broader than usual, his mood completely reversed now that he was away from his father. The carefree grin enhanced his already handsome features.
“Shy of whom? You or the horse?” She accepted his hand before he could answer.
He chuckled, squeezing her hand again. “The horse. It is never a bad idea to be wary of me. Though with kicks as strong as yours, perhaps I should be the one who is worried.”
She stole her hand from his and swatted his shoulder. The action was far more playful than she ought to have allowed, and she quickly turned her attention to the mare. “Is this where you help me mount this great beast?”
“Correction, Lady Reynolds, this is where I help you mount thisdocileanimal.”
She barely suppressed her laugh. She liked this version of Ian. And it did not go without notice that he had finally said her new title with ease.
With a little help from him, she managed to safely ascend into the sidesaddle. Glancing down, she grimaced. Had the ground always been that far away from atop a horse? The animal shifted, and she pulled up hard on the reins, making the mare back up.
“Whoa there.” Ian put his arm around the mare’s neck, and his other hand came up to catch Amie’s hold on the leather reins. “Gentle now. Her name is Claire, and she will do right by you if you do right by her.”
Amie frowned warily. “It might take a moment to remember all the particulars.”
“How about I take the lead rope, and we do a few circles around the pasture until you’re comfortable again?”
“Could we?” she asked.
It took a moment to arrange the lead rope, but then, with a tug, they were off.
“How is that?” he asked.
“Not very frightening after all. She is a beautiful animal.”
He grinned up at her. “She is beautiful.” His eyes, however, never left hers, sending an unbidden thrill through her. He seemed to realize it and looked away, pulling the mare into a walk. It gave Amie the freedom to smile without his seeing. He couldn’t have meant his words about her. She wasn’t a real beauty. But perhaps she wasn’tunattractiveto him either.
And even more importantly, this morning they felt like friends. The progress filled her with contentment. Perhaps the cadence of the mare’s steps and the charming scenery played a part in it too. The layers of green around her seemed brighter with every passing day as spring reached for summer. She was excited to see more of what this place had in store for her future.
