I looked up from a tattered copy ofThe Castle of Otrantoto find Henri grinning at me with mischief.
“Oh?” I set the book aside and waited for him to continue.
“You’ve been acting strange since the ball, and I thought maybe a change of scenery would do you good.”
I raised an eyebrow. It was true that I’d been lost in thought over the past few days, but it was only because I was worried about Bram and what he might be planning. I was also confused about my feelings for Bram and Henri. Sometimes I wondered if marrying into misery would be a relief just so I wouldn’t have to hurt either of them by choosing one over the other.
“I don’t think my aunt would allow for a trip,” I said. “Especially an impromptu one.”
“No, but … we won’t be going far.” Henri held out his hand and I took it, allowing him to help me to my feet. I couldn’t help but give in when he was acting so mysteriously.
Henri grabbed a sack on the way out of the château and made for the back of the house. When we arrived at the stables, I wondered exactly what he had in mind.
“Two horses, Cyrille,” Henri ordered, addressing the stablemaster.
Cyrille blinked at us, then crossed his arms, eyes lingering on me. “I apologize, my lordship, but Count Montoni expressly forbade me from giving the marquis a horse.”
Henri’s smile faltered briefly before he recovered. “Very well. Givemea horse then.”
Cyrille shrugged and saddled one of the horses. It was a black stallion that seemed to have a mellow temper. “Old Stormy will do well for you. She might not be the fastest horse, but she’s trustworthy and loyal to a fault.”
I smiled as I reached out and stroked Stormy’s neck. She watched me with dark eyes while Henri secured his sack to the front of the saddle and then lifted himself onto her back. Once seated, he ordered me onto the horse at his back.
Cyrille pursed his lips but said nothing as I mounted the horse.
I was used to riding solo, so I wasn’t sure what to do until Henri reached back and grabbed one of my arms, wrapping it around his midsection. “You’ll need to hold on,” he told me.
I nodded and we started off at a trot. I clung to Henri, something I suspected he rather enjoyed. I leaned into his back, placing the side of my face against his shoulders, and sighed. It was nice to get out of the château, even if it was a short-lived ride into the neighboring hillside.
“We could always try to make a run for it,” Henri said, suddenly.
“What?” I asked, startled.
He shrugged. “Just take off on Stormy here. Get as far as we can, make our way across the country, maybe over the border into Italy. We could hide, become other people. We wouldn’t have our riches or titles, but maybe we could be happy.”
I smiled at the thought. I was almost tempted, but I realized quickly that we couldn’t. “And Blanche?”
Henri was silent, and I knew that I’d touched on the biggest flaw of his plan. Blanche enjoyed her life. So long as she could find the right husband, I imagined she would remain very happy. A hard life working the land wouldn’t do for her. And Henri couldn’t abandon his sister, even for his own happiness.
“It’s a nice fantasy,” I said to Henri’s back. “I think you would be worth giving everything up for.”
Henri straightened and glanced back at me. “Do you think so?”
I nodded, and found that I meant it. “We could be free, not have to worry about our obligations and just … be who we are. Together.”
“And Bram?”
My smile faded and he nodded to himself before turning to watch the path again.
We rode in silence for another twenty minutes before we stopped, and Henri disembarked. He helped me down and I gazed around at rolling hills, wondering where we were. There was a large tree nearby, and after Henri unpacked the sack he’d stowed, we headed toward it. Beyond the tree, there was a steep drop that allowed for a magnificent view of the countryside, boasting fields of lavender. And in the distance, I could make out the town.
“Henri,” I said breathlessly, wide-eyed. “It’s … beautiful.” I leaned into him and settled my head onto his chest. We looked out over the town for several minutes before Henri pulled away, leaving me to ogle at the beauty before me. When I’d finally had my fill, I turned back to find Henri watching me from a blanket on the ground. He had a picnic spread out around him.
I blinked. “What is all this?”
“Our getaway,” Henri shrugged, patting the blanket beside him. “I figured we deserved a break, or a distraction at the very least.”
I obliged, and Henri made a plate for me. It was simple. Cold turkey, rolls, cheese, biscuits with jams, and some croissants. But it was also perfect. To top it off, Henri poured us a sweet strawberry wine.
