Emma had never been so glad to excuse herself and retire for the evening. When she reached the doorway, she glanced back to find the duke watching her with such intensity that a shiver raced down her spine. She practically flew up the stairs to escape that scrutiny.
Chapter 5
Early the following morning, after Ava helped her dress in her riding habit and pinned up her hair, Emma walked into the dining room and was pleased to see Charlotte already having tea and nibbling on toast. Thankfully, she was the only one in attendance.
“Good morning, Charlotte. I hope you slept well.”
She nodded. “I did indeed.”
The footman poured Emma a cup of tea while she went to the sideboard for some eggs, toast, and bacon. She’d always had a hearty appetite and didn’t understand how some young ladies ate so sparingly. Weren’t they hungry? Was that why so many of them swooned? Whatever the case, Emma enjoyed her food and wasn’t afraid to indulge her appetite.
“It looks to be a lovely day,” Charlotte said.
Emma nodded. “A perfect day for riding.”
After breakfast, the girls made their way to the stables where the stablemaster greeted them. "Good morning, ladies. How may I be of service this fine morning?”
“Good morning, Frederick. Please have Satine saddled,” Emma said, then turned to Charlotte. “Do you prefer a spirited mount or a gentle one?”
“Let’s start with the gentle one today.”
“Of course, my lady,” Frederick said. “Lexie would be the perfect mount for you.”
It wasn’t long before Emma and Charlotte were in the saddle and riding out to tour the estate with Peter, one of the grooms, trailing behind them.
After riding for thirty minutes, Emma led Charlotte down to the path that ran along the river, where it was cool with a canopy of trees overhead.
“It’s beautiful here,” Charlotte said.
“I agree. It’s one of my favorite places to escape for a while. Sometimes I need some quiet time away from everyone. Not that I don’t love my family, of course. I adore them, but I like solitude as well.”
Charlotte nodded. “I understand. A bit of solitude is a most welcome respite.”
“This is a beautiful spot,” Emma said, stopping in a clearing not far from the river. "Would you like to rest for a moment?"
“Yes. This meadow’s beautiful. Look at all the wildflowers.”
Peter helped both of them dismount, then went to his saddlebags and pulled out a bottle of lemonade along with two glasses wrapped in a cloth. He handed both to Emma.
“Thank you, Peter," she said, pouring the cool liquid into a glass and handing it to Charlotte. She poured some for herself and held out the bottle to the groom. "Would you care for some?”
Peter shook his head. “No, thank you, Miss Bainbridge. I’m fine.”
After a refreshing glass of lemonade, the two young women walked through the meadow, gathering wildflowers. “These will look lovely on the tables for the picnic my mother has planned for later today.”
Charlotte nodded. “Absolutely.”
They each picked an armful of flowers. “Shall we head back? I don’t want the flowers to wilt,” Emma said.
Peter took the flowers from their arms and placed them in a sack before helping Emma and Charlotte back into their saddles.
By the time they returned to the house, most of the guests were awake and in the dining room enjoying breakfast.
“I’ll join you after a bath,” Emma said as she and Charlotte walked up the stairs to their bedchambers.
“Good morning,” came a deep voice.
Emma looked up to see Richmond standing at the top of the stairs, a flicker of a smilepassing over his lips. The timbre of his voice floated over her skin, raising goosebumps along her arms.
