Page 52 of The Rules of Matrimony
“You don’t just listen though; you act. Together, those are powerful tools that can change the world.”
Her? Change the world? Not likely. “It’s not like anything you do, but if a friend who is sad or lonely can smile again, I feel as if I have achieved something worthwhile.”
Ian brought her horse to a stop as they finished their second loop around the pasture. “It is a great thing, Amie. God doesn’t sit back in His throne in heaven, measuring our acts of kindness. He celebrates each one, because even the smallest spark can dissipate the darkness in another’s life.”
Amie swallowed, not expecting the sudden passion in Ian’s voice. She gave a small nod of understanding.
“Forgive me.” Ian shook his head. “I suddenly find Miles’s sermons coming out of my mouth.”
She smiled. “Your vicar friend sounds wise.”
He nodded. “He’s quite good with words and actually lives what he preaches.”
“I should like to hear one of his sermons someday.” She said it lightly, not meaning anything by it, but Ian’s expression suddenly closed off, and he turned away from her.
“The day is still young,” he said, with no response to her previous comment. “Are you ready to ride unassisted? You did come here to be an independent woman. Riding can help you with that.”
She tightened her hands on the reins with the sudden reminder. “I’m ready.” The words sounded false on her lips but maybe because she wasn’t thinking about riding.
A few minutes later, Ian had mounted his own horse, and together they trotted toward the tree line, the curls framing her face blowing in the breeze.
“Is this pace agreeable?” he asked.
“It’s bumpier than I remember,” she said with a laugh, “but I love it.”
He grinned at her. “You are braver than you made yourself out to be.”
“And you are more diverting than you made yourself out to be,” she quipped.
He laughed, a full, loud laugh that carried to her and warmed her through. “Your Lord Grumpy enjoys diversions now and then, same as anyone else.”
HerLord Grumpy? She liked that. She raised a playful brow. “Diversions are well enough, buthowdiverting can you be? That’s what separates the bores from the rest of the world.” She gave him a challenging look.
“A bore?” He drew his horse nearer and reached to grab her reins. “Never.”
She swatted at his hands. “Prove it.” She could not ever remember bantering with someone like this, and it made her excessively happy.
“There’s a meadow not far from here,” Ian said. “Let’s see if you remember how to run a horse.”
A thrill went through her. “Oh, I would love that. Do you think I’m ready?”
“Slow the moment you feel at all out of control. I will stay close and follow your lead.”
“Let’s try it.” Her grin must’ve been contagious because Ian returned it.
She kicked her heel back, and Claire shot forward. Amie squealed with pleasure, and Ian laughed from just behind her.
Once they reached the meadow, she challenged him to a race, which she royally lost. Ian cheered her up with some Shrewsbury cakes he had hidden in his saddlebags. He had pilfered them from the kitchen when he had stopped to greet Tiny on his way to the stables. Though he had carefully wrapped them in his handkerchief,the delicate biscuits were broken. He and Amie laughed and ate the pieces, their hands touching as they shared back and forth atop their horses.
All Amie’s worries fled from her mind. She couldn’t remember ever feeling this light. This was the freedom and happiness she had longed for. It was the ride, the warm sunshine on her back, and the song of the skylarks in the gorse bushes and the treetops. But it was also Ian. She tried to tell herself it wasn’t him, but her heart knew every lie her mind told.
Chapter 25
“You did well, Amie.” Ianhanded his reins to the groom and moved to her horse to help her dismount.
“It was Claire who performed well.” She ran her hand down her mare’s neck. “Good girl, Claire.”
“You won’t take any credit? Cantering takes bravery for a woman who previously needed to walk around the pasture.” He held his arms up to her waist.
