He dismounted and began walking with Zeus trailing him towards the lady he loved. She was a vision in the early morning light, even before the sun had risen. If it were not for her guards, looking at her, one would not know she was a person of rank, especially not a duchess, and an extremely wealthy one at that.
She never dressed in too fine a dress, and unless it was a special occasion, the only jewellery she wore was a garnet cross her late grandmother had gifted her.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Elizabeth had seen the man on the horse riding towards them. She had wished it would be William and when he was close enough to see, she could see her wish had been granted.
Her heart sped up and she missed a breath at the excitement generated by seeing his handsome form as he vaulted from his horse’s back and began to walk towards her, beaming a smile which although she could not see at the distance, Elizabeth was sure displayed his dimples in full.
Biggs and Johns knew exactly who the man approaching Her Grace was so they relaxed. Biggs gave a signal to Albert Smith to let him know all was well.
“Good morning, Lady Elizabeth,” William greeted. He took one of her dainty hands, bowed over it, and kissed it.
Even though she was wearing gloves—thankfully light ones for the warmer weather—Elizabeth felt a frisson of pleasure when William kissed her hand. She could not help wishing it was not only her hand he was kissing.
“Master William,” Elizabeth returned. “I did not think I would meet someone I knew so early in the morning.”
“Neither did I,” William averred. “However, I hope our meeting by chance like this is not unpleasant.”
“Anything but,” Elizabeth responded with a becoming blush.
“Would you mind if Zeus and I join you on your walk?” William requested.
“You are both most welcome Sir,” Elizabeth granted. “Do one of the men need to lead your horse?”
“No, thank you, Lady Elizabeth,” William replied. “He will follow me unless I tell him otherwise.” He offered his arm and she rested her hand on it gently.
“Mayhap one day he will meetJamil,” Elizabeth said shyly knowing full well what she was implying.
“Jamil?” William questioned.
“You did not meet my mare at Castlemere as I was already with child and chose not to ride until after I deliver,” Elizabeth explained. “She is an Arabian and her name means beautiful in that language.”
“I doubt she is close to as beautiful as you,” William stated with a rasp in his voice.
William heard the tinkling laugh he so much loved. “My mare may have something to say about that. Before her, I have never seen a horse preen the way she does.”
“Elizabeth, I would like to speak to you privately more than anything, but I will remain silent if you think it is too soon.”
He did not notice he had used her familiar name and she did not object at all.
“No William, it is not too soon,” Elizabeth stated as she blushed scarlet from the roots of her hair to where her body was covered by her clothing.
“In that case, may I call on you at Hertfordshire House at eleven?”
“You may, I will be very pleased to see you.”
William knew he was grinning like a fool, but he could not help himself. He had hoped for a subtle sign she was receptive to hear what he wanted to say, but the message in her response had been as clear as day.
The first question he would ask during the interview was if she desired him to request a courtship or engagement.
He knew her situation was more complicated than most men would expect in the woman they hoped to marry. William however, was sensitive to the challenges of her carrying a child of a man she reviled. He cared not she was not a maiden, or that she was in the family way. Above all, he wanted to support her through the months ahead and for the rest of her life. All he cared about was he would be able to call her his.
Elizabeth was glad she was holding onto William’s arm. She felt positively giddy.
She had her choice stolen from her when she married before, but this time, it was, and would be her decision. As long as William did not care she was no longer considered pure, she could see no impediment to their union.
Her free hand went to her belly as one of them always did when she talked about or thought about the child—the life growing within her—she was carrying.
