Page 19 of A Sense of Turmoil
Archie soon realised that Mabel was indeed quite capable of choosing her own path without becoming flighty. He relaxed and enjoyed himself when he accepted that the placid cob had no plans to expend unnecessary energy and jolt him about. He had been unsure if the flimsy gig would be able to carry his weight, but it did so with ease and the pain in his back and hip was no worse than when walking.
He threw his head back and enjoyed the feel of the breeze peppering his face as the wheels glided over the ground. He glanced at Flora, trotting along beside him and easily holding the lively gelding in check. His wide smile conveyed his elation at being self-sufficient, after a fashion, thanks to the services of the cooperative Mabel. Flora smiled back at him and Archie wondered how he could ever have considered her looks unexceptional. She was not classically beautiful, but her features conveyed spirited defiance, strength of character andjoie de vivre.There was nowhere else he would prefer to be at that moment, he accepted, and no other person’s company he would enjoy more. If Luke didn’t realise what he had then he was definitely dicked in the nob.
They reached the reservoir and Archie reined Mabel in. She obeyed instantly and stood compliant between the shafts, her harness jangling as she dropped her head to snatch at the springy grass. Archie gazed out over the water, its surface rippled by the breeze. His contentment was curtailed as he wondered what he was supposed to do now. He’d never get out of this damned gig unaided and felt embarrassed by a sudden sense of emasculation. Flora resolved that problem by slipping nimbly from her saddle, tying Amethyst’s reins to the branch of a tree and then walking over to Archie.
‘We used to come here to swim all the time as boys,’ Archie said. ‘Luke, Paul, Alvin and me. We never tired of trying to drown one another.’
‘Luke mentioned something about that to me once. He has fond memories of this place too.’
‘Never thought I’d see it again.’
‘How was the drive? Any pain in your legs?’
‘No more than usual. You were right about Mabel. She isn’t given to fits of independence.’
‘She’s far too lazy for such things. Not the sort of equine you ever imagined associating yourself with, I dare say,’ she replied with a mischievous smile. ‘But the Mabels of this world have their place.’
‘I am much obliged to her.’ He threw back his head, wondering how to describe what her offhand comment had done for him. ‘I don’t think you appreciate quite how much…’
‘I understand better than you could imagine,’ she responded softly. ‘Would you like to get down for a while and enjoy the view?’
Without waiting for a response, she took hold of Mabel’s head and encouraged her forward, stopping again beside a wooden bench.
‘Place your hand on my shoulder for stability and step down onto the bench. The drop is only a small one.’
‘I weigh a lot. I don’t want to break your shoulder.’
Flora smiled. ‘The countess weighs a lot too, but don’t tell her I said so. I am used to supporting her weight. I’m stronger than I look.’
‘Very well, if you’re sure.’
Archie hated feeling like the invalid that he was, and seldom allowed anyone other than his man Pawson to help him or see just how incapacitated he actually was. A man had his pride. But Flora showed no sympathy and instead came up with practical suggestions, and he’d be a bigger ass than Luke if he allowed his pride to hold him back. He placed his large hand on her slender shoulder and slowly eased himself from the seat, wincing as pain shot through his left side, making him feel as if his nerve endings had come into direct contact with a red hot poker. But he was accustomed to it and bore the agony with resigned stoicism. He made it onto the bench without making an utter fool of himself and without putting too much weight on Flora.
‘Well done,’ she said, watching as he slowly eased himself into a sitting position, stretching his legs out in front of him and sighing with relief.
‘Thank you,’ he said softly. ‘I have spoiled your ride and you haven’t once complained.’
‘On the contrary,’ she replied. ‘I am grateful for your company.’
‘You are a very elegant liar. I have never met any female who is more self-contained or more comfortable with her own society.’
She lifted a shoulder. ‘You have never been acquainted with a clergyman’s daughter before, in that case.’
‘You usually ride out with Luke,’ he said, staring across the water. He watched a bird swoop down and take to the wing again with a fish wriggling in its beak.
She looked at Archie askance. ‘Whatever gave you that idea?’
‘I saw you together, the day after your birthday.’
‘When he forced Amethyst upon me.’ She nodded. ‘Yes, I remember that morning well, but everything’s changed now.’
‘In what regard?’
Archie was astounded when instead of responding her expression closed down and she burst into tears.
Chapter Six
Flora was mortified when her self-control crumbled. Unable to look at Archie, she accepted the handkerchief that he handed to her, mopped her eyes and slowly regained control of herself.
