“Of course.” Elinor swallowed the lie. “It’ll do me good to get some fresh air, I think, after being cooped up here all morning.” She began to gather her papers. “I have made good progress on our…my project, so I must keep all this in order.” With a silent prayer that Jane had missed her slip of the tongue, Elinor conscientiously tidied the desk.
“I’ll tell young Barnaby you’ll be with him in…half an hour?”
“Goodness, no. I’ll be ready in ten minutes, no more. I promise.”
“Very well then. I’m still a bit worried…”
“Dear Jane. I’ll be fine. I haven’t ridden in a while, and I’d like to make sure I haven’t forgotten how.”
Soothing words, an encouraging attitude, and a few compliments to make Jane smile, and Elinor was on her way, shifting a little as she rediscovered the complexities of riding sidesaddle.
“All right then, m’Lady?” The young groom glanced at her.
“I certainly am,” she smiled back. “It’s been a while since I rode. Thank you for presenting me with the opportunity to remember how much fun it is.”
He grinned. “Well, we’ll take it easy, Ma’am, just in case there might be bits of you that don’t think it’s so much fun when we get home.”
She laughed back. “Thank you. I know I’m going to appreciate the thought.”
The rain had indeed stopped, and a few stray sunbeams were attempting to make their way between the thinning clouds. There were few people abroad, one or two farmers waved, ayoung woman sweeping her doorstep bobbed a curtsy to Elinor, but overall the ride was uneventful.
It took less than an hour for the Molliney business to be concluded, just enough time for Elinor to run through her plan for the return trip.
With one small package tied to her pommel—after all, she really did need that lovely blue ribbon—they remounted and set off for home.
“Barnaby, would you mind if we went the longer way home? I would like to make sure that the river hasn’t overflowed into any of our fields, given all the rain we’ve had.” She smiled. “This would be the perfect opportunity for me to do that, instead of coming back here tomorrow.”
“Of course not, m’Lady. Now that the rain’s stopped, ’tis no bother to ride a bit further…”
Elinor mentally applauded. Now they’d be riding past Tylwyth Teg Abbey. And wasn’t it a shame that her horse should have picked up a stone right in front of it…
*~~*~~*
Caleb heard the crunch of gravel beneath horses’ hooves from his study, and, glancing out of the window, he was surprised to see Elinor sitting comfortably atop a pretty horse. She was accompanied by a young lad, who—since he was carrying bulging bags—didn’t look much like her groom.
Curious now, he headed for his front door, just beating Deryn by a few seconds.
“Sir,” the butler frowned at him. “I believe I should be opening the door. It is my job, after all.”
“Oh hush. I’m here. I’m capable of opening my own door, aren’t I?”
“Well, of course, sir, but…”
The peal of the bell interrupted the discussion, and Caleb nipped in front of Deryn, swinging the door wide in welcome.
“Hullo.” For a few seconds it was all he could manage because he had something stuck in his throat.
Her cheeks were flushed with colour, her eyes bright, and she gave him a smile that melted his boots. “Hullo. I do apologise for this intrusion…”
And that was as far as she got before the thunder of paws and several yipping barks echoed through the front hall, resolving itself into a black furry rocket aimed directly at her.
“Oh no, not this time,” she laughed, neatly dodging the calamitous arrival of Carrádog. But far from being disappointed, he swivelled on two legs and then proceeded to demonstrate his joy at seeing her by dancing all around her, several times.
“My goodness,” she glanced at Caleb. “Is he like this all the time?”
The offender looked at her and, apparently, she was unable to withstand the appeal. The ears were thoroughly rubbed, the back scratched, and many fulsome compliments about what a good boy he was flew through the hall.
“Only around you,” sighed Caleb, realising he and the dog had pretty much the same response to Elinor, but his was more moderated. Outwardly, anyway. Inwardly, he was panting, too.
