“He’s never been on one, but the bay I told you about has been on several. He would probably be your best mount.”
“I’ll have him saddled and ride him, perhaps tomorrow.”
“Feel free to ride whenever you wish, Charles,” Arthur said.
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. This is your home too.”
*
Charles decided toenjoy the sun later that day and had lemonade and fresh baked seed cake brought to him on the terrace. He sat with a book he thought he might read and his notebook he wrote down random thoughts in. After taking a long, refreshing swallow of the lemonade, he sat back in his chair, closed his eyes,and let the sun do the rest. He was close to falling asleep when a voice jolted him back into reality.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” Daphne’s soothing feminine voice said from behind him.
“I’m fine. I thought it would be nice to enjoy the fine weather rather than be cooped up in the house.”
She sat down in a chair. It was hard to see her with the sun behind her. “I have to agree.”
“Would you like a glass of lemonade?” he inquired, noting the second glass and plate on the tray.
“Lemonade would be nice, but I can serve myself.” She smiled as she reached over to the tray. He watched her pour a glass.
“Are you looking forward to the hunt?” he inquired.
“Yes. Roxanne and Graham put on a great one. I believe this is their second and I see it becoming an annual event.”
Charles nodded. While he wanted to participate, he was unsure what was expected of him. His social skills were lacking when it came to his peers. He’d been taught, probably by his parents. Before he was sent away. Then it was just part of normal routine.
“Are you nervous about going?”
He shook his head. “No, not at all.” It wasn’t the entire truth but the last thing he wanted was pity from others.
“Besides the hunt, I believe there’ll be trap shooting afterwards,” Daphne said. She took a sip of lemonade and reached for a slice of cake.
“I don’t know how to do that either.”
“Arthur can show you before we go.”
“I’m sure my brother has more important things to do than teach his brother to shoot trap,” he replied.
“We’ll ask him at dinner.” She took a bite of seed cake and closed her eyes. “Cook certainly outdid herself on this batch.”
“It is good, isn’t it?” Charles took the remaining bite of his slice and eyed a second.
“Feel free to ask Cook if there is something you want. Even if it is something she doesn’t normally make. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t know how.”
“I’ll have to remember that,” Charles said, adding, “Do you know who’s attending this hunt?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t had a chance to ask Roxanne. I imagine neighbors and perhaps some friends from nearby counties.”
He nodded. Not good with crowds or even small groups, the last thing he wanted to do was embarrass anyone in the family because he was inept in social skills. There had been too many changes in his life. Things needed to slow down so he could take in what was going on around him.
“Do you and Arthur host many affairs?”
“No. We’re still considered newlyweds and there’s been so much going on with Arthur taking his seat in Parliament there honestly hasn’t been a lot of time for hosting events. I’m thinking of hosting one in late summer.”
“You should,” he replied. “This is all terribly new to me.”
