“I am glad you think so, Lord Jennings,” Georgiana said. “But as her chaperone, I am not so sure. Captain Bromley, do you have a horse better suited to an unexperienced young lady? A gentle mare, perhaps?”
My cheeks warmed with embarrassment.
“Might I suggest a filly, madam? She is quite safe but perhaps a bit more exciting.”
“Hmm,” Georgiana said. “Perhaps if Hannah had an accomplished companion at her side, my fears would be alleviated.” Georgiana’s gaze slid to Ollie. “Mr. Jennings, would you be willing to see to Hannah’s safety?”
“It would be my honor,” he said, giving me an open smile. “So long as Captain Bromley has a horse equal to the task.”
“I have a fine Darley Arabian that should suit you, Mr. Jennings,” he said. “For you as well, Lord Jennings and Mr. Kent.”
Georgiana’s lips curled at the corners, and she nodded as if pleased. “Miss Atherton,” she said. “Seeing as our mounts will be well matched, you are welcome to ride at my side.”
Amelia shot me a regretful look, then to Georgiana she said, “Thank you, Mrs. Kent. I will.”
Damon assisted Lady Margaret onto the mounting block. Their hands were both gloved, and the contact between them did not linger. Still, I burned with jealousy. I tried to push away the feeling, but it would not be moved.
Once all had mounted, Captain Bromley led our party out of the stableyard. And the horses, like people walking into a dining hall, seemed to know their inherent rank and passed through the gate accordingly. Captain Bromley, Damon, and Lady Margaret led the party; Ollie and I fell into place near the middle; and Henry, Georgiana, and Amelia were behind us. The groom followed with the rest of the party in the reverse.
In the meadow, Captain Bromley pointed out the abbey in the distance. “Any who would like may go on ahead,” he said. “I will remain here with those who wish to go at a leisurely pace.”
Needing a moment of reprieve, a moment to forget my jealousy, I encouraged my horse into a canter. She readily obeyed, but her speed was not fast enough to flee from my feelings.
With a frown, I tightened my legs around the saddle horn and leaned forward. “Come on, girl. Faster.”
I kicked her flank with one leg and tapped her other side with my riding crop, and she leapt forward. The wind whipped across my cheeks and twisted through my hair. Every part of me felt alive. My body, my mind, my soul.
“Hannah,” Ollie called after me. “Be careful.”
When we came to a rolling hill, I expected my mount to slow, but even without encouragement, she swiftly pressed on. The ground flattened out again on the other side, and the world passed by in a blur of green grass and blue-gray sky.
Before I knew it, the abbey ruins loomed before me. Crumbling gray stone walls and arches that reached heavenward were all that remained. Still, it was awe-inspiring.
I reined in my horse, and she gave an unhappy stomp of her hoof.
Ollie came up beside me, and his eyes shone brightly. “I did not know you could ride like that,” he said. “I could not take my eyes off you. You were magnificent.”
At his words, I went cold.
I glanced behind me for the other members of our company, but there was not a soul in sight. Not Henry or Georgiana, not Amelia, not Damon. We had raced here too quickly. I was alone with Ollie, the very thing I’d told myself I would not let happen.
“Hannah, I—”
“Race you to the top of the tor,” I said, and without waiting for his reply, I rushed up the large hill toward the tower at the top. At the peak, I reined in my horse and took in the view. I felt as if I could see all of England.
Ollie came up beside me a moment later. “I do believe we may need to have a discussion about the proper way to begin a race, madam. That is twice now you have begun a race without a proper start,” he teased, the look of love in his eyes replaced by a boyish smile.
“Do try not to be a sore loser, Ollie,” I tossed back.
He only grinned and dismounted. After helping me do the same, we tied our horses to a post and walked inside the tower. The walls of the tower stood sturdy and tall, but there was no roof.
Ollie said something, but I could not make out his words over the wind that whirled and moaned around us. He pointed at the opening, where a door should have been, and I nodded. Back outside, we sat on a bench that was protected from the wind.
We sat for a few minutes, and an uncomfortable feeling descended upon us. I tried to think of something to say or do to lighten the moment, but no game, no joke, no distraction could lessen this discomfort.
“Hannah,” Ollie said, tentatively reaching for my hand. “We have known each other almost our whole lives. That relationship has primarily been one of friendship, but lately, I have desired more.” He bowed over my hand as if to kiss it, and I reflexively snatched it away. He looked at me with a pained expression.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “This is all just so sudden.”
