She glared at me. “I have grown weary of you, Papa, and Noah advocating for him.”
“Your happiness is our primary concern.”
“Mr. Ware had his opportunity to be my husband, and he tossed that aside. I loved him very much, but he has ruined any chance for us. I shall never forgive him.”
“Never is a long time.”
“My mind is made up.” Cassie pushed away from the table, creating a discordant clamour as the chair legs scraped the wooden floor. She stood and marched from the room.
Darcy
Although we all returned with a respectable number of grouse and partridges, Mr. Noah Barton caught the most birds and distinguished himself as an exceptional shooter. Hayward and I begged off Mr. Barton’s offer of a drink at the house as Hayward had the headache. So, we parted from the Bartons near the stables, and a groom brought out our horses.
My friend and I set off alongside a large paddock where a striking sorrel horse pranced within. The animal bore the distinctive profile of an Arabian. Based upon her build, refined and not excessively muscular, she must be a female. Her markings—a full blaze and four socks—made her an exact likeness of Majesty, my late mother’s mare. Last spring, Majesty had succumbed to a severe case of colic. The loss had brought my sister low; the mare had been a favourite mount of Georgiana’s and a beloved living symbol of our mother. I glanced at Hayward. “Just a moment, I want to take a look at this horse.”
“Ah, that is Lily. She is a fine mare.”
“Indeed, she is.” I directed Regal nearer to the paddock. The reddish-brown steed, Lily, caught sight of us, and her ears shot up. With a snort, she cantered away, kicking up her heels, before slowing to a trot and following the perimeter of the enclosure. “Her gaits are impressive, and her conformation is faultless.”
“Aye, and she is well-trained too.”
As I followed the animal’s movements, an idea sent my blood pulsing: I must buy this mare! She would be the perfect gift for Georgiana, and there could be no better way to nudge my sister from her state of melancholy. I turned back towards my friend. “You go on back to the estate. I intend to purchase this mare from Mr. Barton.”
Hayward let out a short laugh. “I am afraid that is not possible. He would never sell Lily. But no doubt he has other fine animals he could show you.”
“No, I am not interested in any other horse.” I dismounted from Regal.
“Well, if you are determined to waste your time, I shall see you back at the house.” With a shake of his head, my friend rode away.
I tied Regal to a post and went to the front door. After a short wait, the butler led me to Mr. Barton’s wood-panelled study and announced me.
“Ah, Mr. Darcy, I am glad you changed your mind.” With a broad smile, Mr. Barton rose from his seat behind the sizeable mahogany desk. “Where is Hayward?”
“He has gone home.”
“Well, no matter.” He indicated a set of chairs near the fireplace. “Have a seat if you will. What would you like to drink?”
“Thank you, I should welcome a brandy.” I sat in one of the chairs.
“Yes, of course.” Mr. Barton poured two glasses of the liquor and passed one to me before taking his seat.
I took a sip and cradled the glass in my palm. “I happened to notice one of your horses in the paddock, the sorrel Arabian with a blaze and four socks.”
“Yes, that is Lily. She is a singular steed.”
“I agree. In fact, I have seldom seen a mare that impressed me so much, both in appearance and in the spirited way she moves. I want to buy Lily from you. You may name your price.”
His mouth tightened. “I am sorry, but she is not for sale. However, I have several other fine Arabian horses that may suit your needs.”
“No, thank you. My interest is solely in Lily.”
He raised his palms. “Well, then I am sorry to disappoint you.”
“Will you accept five hundred pounds for her?”
Mr. Barton’s brows shot up. “You must know she is not worth that much. But it matters not, for I have no intention of selling her.”
I brushed my knuckles over my mouth. I should never find another horse so ideal for Georgiana. I must buy this mare—no matter the cost.
