Page 35 of His Haunted Duchess
“You ride frequently, then?”
A dreamy look crept into Philip’s eyes.
“As often as Carlyle and my tutors permit me. I should be more grateful.” He glanced over his shoulder as if said tutors were pursuing him for the express purpose of chastising his daydreams. “Riding Prince is ever so much more enjoyable than plowing through Hume, whatever he had to say about the history of England.”
“By which I assume you mean Hume, and not your horse.” Caroline straightened her skirt as Philip led her farther out onto the green lawn. “It’s quite expansive then?”
“No—I mean, yes,” Philip admitted. “What I mean to say is that the grounds are very large and luxurious but not so large and luxurious that we cannot walk nicely in them.”
Caroline had to agree with him. It felt, now, that they were farther from the house, like they were alone in miles of open ground, dotted sparsely with hedge and tree.
Philip shaded his eyes and looked toward the trees where a silver glimmer glinted near the ground.
“It’s just there—the most beautiful spot on Highcastle.”
It was a river—a throbbing, twisting one that made its way like a vein through the fleshy green hillocks. Caroline shivered. Philip pointed to the opposite bank.
“You see? Wild roses! Whenever I can, I like to ride Prince down here. When I was younger, I used to make a game out of counting them—but the bushes have spread too much by now, and I would run out of time. It’s too late in the season to see them now, but just wait until spring.”
He pulled her triumphantly forward. Caroline dragged her feet. The bank was only a short span away from them. She withdrew her hand and knelt to examine a small shrub.
“It is a lovely spot,” she said hesitantly. Philip gestured her forward. “Come, see the bank just here.”
Caroline shook her head. The water flicked at the edges of her eyes like a whip behind horses.
“I can see both banks from here.” She put her hand on the stile fence to steady herself. “They’re both quite lovely.”
“Once I thought I could jump the whole river, just Prince and me,” Philip said, miming the action with his hand, “but Frederic said it would be too far a leap and could endanger both of us, even in the shallow season. Now, I just love to look at it and wonder how the sun plays on the water.”
Despite her terror, a smile crept onto Caroline’s face.
“I can see, sir, that you and I have an opportunity.”
Frederic looked at her eagerly.
“Do we? How so?”
“Well, since we both love to ride and I would love to see more of Highcastle, I would be honored if you would oblige my interest and serve as a guide in the coming weeks.”
Philip smiled until it threatened to eclipse his entire face.
“Yes! Of course, I mean—if you would feel so inclined.” His smile faded a little. “Is it—is it all right if I ask you something? About your scar?”
Caroline’s heart skipped a beat. She steadied it and nodded. Of course, he’d have questions.
“What would you like to know? I’m at your disposal.”
“How did you come by your scars? Mother said—” He blushed. “And Frederic said—well, I’d just like to hear about it from you, that’s all.”
Caroline reached out her hand to him.
“Then I shall endeavor to oblige you. Walk me back to the house? I’ll tell you the story as we make our way.”
CHAPTER 12
“And so all of the Dreshers drowned? Every one of them?” Philip’s eyes widened.
Caroline nodded.
