“Very well, Nathaniel. And yes, you may.”
“I think perhaps that your gown was made to match the horse.”
Oh, but a flirt indeed. She laughed. After that, their conversation flowed effortlessly as they rode for nearly half an hour, discussing the mythical exploits of Rhiannon and which ones might possibly have been anchored in truth. As they crested a gentle slope, not far in the distance, a tall and rocky hill towered above them. Perched atop was what appeared to have been some sort of abbey or monastery, half of it resembling more rubble than building.
Parked at the base were two carriages. Servants had arrived earlier, apparently, to set up the picnic nuncheon. It also appeared that other guests, who’d been unwilling or unable to ride or walk, had joined them via the more leisurely form of transportation.
“Race me?” Nathaniel dared.
Without answering, Olivia leaned forward and urged her mount. “Let’s go, Rhiannon!”
The horse ran like a dream, and Olivia relished in the feel of the wind rushing past her, Rhiannon’s gait steady and sure. She could hear Nathaniel close behind her, but she didn’t care at all. This wasn’t about the race, or about winning, it was about freedom and wonder. She could almost believe herself the fairy queen, sitting atop her white horse. With the magnificent animal stretching her legs, the two of them flew as though in a dream.
For the space of thirty seconds, Olivia Redfield felt like a goddess.
* * *
“We’relucky to have such fine weather today.” Looking lovely, Victoria sat with her skirts carefully arranged, upon one of the blankets spread out for their use. Some of the gentlemen reclined on their elbows but the ladies, for the most part, remained prim and proper.
Louella was especially good at this, appearing every bit the duchess that she was. She’d admitted to Olivia after breakfast that she already missed His Grace. The prospect of another nine days without him, she’d told Olivia, suddenly felt like forever.
What would it be like? To love and know oneself loved fully in return? How wonderful for Louella!
Olivia watched the others from her own prim position but would have liked to lie down and look up at the sky instead. Bored with the conversations, she began playing with a few dandelions, making a flower chain. When her skin prickled, she glanced up.
She’d thought Gabriel might be watching her but was discomposed to realize it was Lord Lockley’s eyes she’d felt.
Gabriel was being attentive, as he very well should, to his fiancée.
In a burst of energy that most of the others were not experiencing after the magnificent meal, Olivia adjusted her habit and pushed herself to her feet. “I cannot wait any longer to explore.” She would have left on her own but for Louella’s anxious gaze. Of course, ladies were not expected to go traipsing in the countryside by themselves. “Nathaniel, are you up to the hike or are you still too winded from losing to me earlier?”
Others glanced at her curiously, but Nathaniel, good sport that he was, merely laughed. “Your Grace, I find that your sister is abusing me this morning.” He addressed Louella, but he’d risen and sauntered around the tableau of blankets. “Anyone else ready for the excursion?”
“Shall we join them, Victoria?” Gabriel asked almost as though they were already a married couple.
Victoria sighed and waved him away. “Walk with the duchess, Kingsley. I want to do nothing more than sit here in the sunshine and enjoy the lovely view.”
Louella had, indeed, already risen. As had Lady Priscilla and Lord Lockley.
Olivia wished that Lord Lockley would have remained seated.
“Shall we?” Nathaniel offered her his arm, but Olivia shook her head.
“Half the fun is making the climb using one’s own abilities.” And unwilling to be delayed a second longer, she marched toward the path that led up the hill.
She would have much preferred to go alone. That was what she knew. Nonetheless, she held her head high and pretended a confidence she didn’t quite feel. She also pretended she wasn’t constantly aware of Gabriel’s every move.
Bittersweet, that’s what this was. Seeing him again but not being able to talk to him the way they had last year.
He’d beeninside of herand now they had to act almost like strangers around one another.
And seeing him again awakened all those needs she’d been attempting to deny for months now.
But only for him.
“Turn right where the trees begin.” Nathaniel marched behind her.
While chatting, she’d already discovered that Gabriel’s younger brother and she were practically the same age, and yet, he seemed much younger than her. He was a pleasant, good-looking fellow.
