“Why would you say that?”
“Because, he’s being so sweet.”
“I suppose, but it seems like a rush to assume anything.”
“Of course, Your Grace. After all, only time will tell,” she said. But if the look on her face was anything to go by, Daisy had long since made up her mind.
Freshly dressed in a practical riding habit, she headed down stairs where Christopher was waiting for her, looking stiff and uncomfortable.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“I am, it looks like you are too.”
“Well then,” he said, shifting on his feet. “Let’s get going.”
She followed after him to where the carriage was waiting.
“Is it a long drive?” she asked climbing inside.
“Not particularly. Usually I would just walk or take my horse but since we were going together I thought the carriage might be better.”
“I am inclined to agree. Thank you for thinking of me.”
He made a noncommittal noise and looked away.
Veronica smiled to herself. She couldn’t help but feel like she was beginning to understand him.
The ride itself was mostly quiet with only the sounds of nature coming from outside occasionally making their way inside. Veronica tried to ignore just how close they were, but it was almost impossible not to in the confinement of the carriage.
Though they were sitting on benches opposite each other, meaning they weren’t quite as close as they could be, but it did mean that if she was looking straight forward, there were few places she could look other than Christoper.
So she did her best to focus on the window. Still, it was hard to ignore their proximity when every little bump caused their knees to brush.
Veronica’s stomach fluttered at every little touch. She chewed her lip, unable to help the way she filled with nerves.
She did her best to push it down, but they only grew more and more the closer they got. It wasn’t long before the country side blooming around them gave way to farm land.
When they finally pulled to a stop it was in front of a small farm. An older man with gray hair came out to meet them.
“Your Grace, it is good to see you again,” he greeted, shaking the other man’s hand. “It's been too long.”
“It hasn’t been more than a week since I last rode over this way.”
“That might be true, but when was the last time you stopped for a chat? An old man like me gets lonely, you know.”
“And I’m sure you can find far better company than me. But, that isn’t what brought me here today. To start with, I’d like you to meet my wife. Mr. Thomas Branes, this is Veronica, the new Duchess of Ashton.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Barnes” she curtsies.
“I’m pleased to meet you too, ma’am,” He smiled at her. “I’m so glad that this one finally found a woman to settle down with. Our Christopher deserves it.”
She smiled, unsure what to say.
Fortunately, Christopher stepped in, saving her. “Do you still have any of those puppies you mentioned the last time I was in the area?”
“Of course, why do you ask?”
“Well, my wife thought Ashton Castle could do with some livening up. It seemed like a good way to make that happen.”
