“Yes please.” She presented her cup.
“Milk? Sugar?” Mrs. Neskers must be the inn keeper’s wife. She’d informed Aubrey upon her arrival that they would have a room readied shortly but that she must wait as the current occupants had yet to check out. She had led Aubrey, a lady traveling alone, through the public area and into one of the private dining rooms where she could take her tea without fear of harassment. “Are you certain you won’t try a pastry? “
“I am certain, thank you.” Aubrey’s figure veered toward an hourglass shape which could, if not watched carefully, get out of hand. Her mother had drilled into her the importance of remaining neat and trim for her husband.
…who was now dead.
His pale, cold and inert form laid out in the parlor came to mind.
Aubrey tapped her chin, realizing for that for the first time in her life, she had no one to please except herself.
“On second thought…Yes please, and the pastries as well, if it’s not too much trouble.”
The softly rounded gray-haired woman smiled cheerfully as she added sugar to Aubrey’s cup, and then a generous splash of milk. “I’ll return shortly then madam.”
Aubrey smiled. A new adventure laid out before her like a second chance at life.
She exhaled a peaceful sigh and stared outside at her handsome rider, er, at the fine-looking horse once again in time to see a groom approaching them. The gentleman shook his head in a kindly fashion, spoke with the older man for a few minutes, lifted the saddle off the horse and handed it over before patting the groom on his back as he carried it away. Apparently, her knight would tend to his horse himself.
Using a brush, the man’s gentle but firm strokes drew Aubrey’s’ gaze to his steady hands. He had folded back the sleeves of his shirt and she secretly enjoyed the sight of such lean forearms, slim wrists, and elegant fingers. More elegant than she would have expected which ruled out any idea she might have that he labored for his living.
Following the direction of the horse’s hair, he lovingly brushed off pieces of dirt and mud that had splashed onto the mighty beast over the course of their journey.
What would that feel like, she wondered, to be cherished so lovingly… She nearly snorted when she realized that now she was comparing herself to the animal. Wishing to be petted and groomed. Foolishness!
Oh, but he loved that horse.
And if she was correct, he was murmuring to it softly.
She tilted her head closer to the window but didn’t immediately recognize what he was saying.
Holding her breath, she leaned even closer to the glass.
He was talking to the horse in French!
“Tu me sers toujours bien, magnifique créature.”
You serve me well, magnificent creature.
Aubrey smiled.
“Tu mérites un bon repas et une bonne nuit de repos, ma douce.”
You deserve a good meal and a good night’s rest… my sweet?
She pressed her ear closer, nearly touching the glass now.
“Peut-être coucher avec un beau cheval mâle hein??”
She rose her brows at this. Was he really suggesting that the horse might bed down beside a handsome male horse?
She peeked outside again but could not help but listen closer when his conversation with the horse continued.
“Peut-être que la belle princesse à la fenêtre voudrait un baiser de l'étranger qu'elle es ten train d’observé, non?”
She bolted upright and this time, when she peeked out the window, found herself startled by the most brilliant sapphire eyes she’d ever seen. Her imaginary knight in shining armor had not only stepped closer so that he could witness her humiliation, but he was grinning from ear to ear.
Knowing she must have blushed beet red, she hastily drew the curtain closed, her heart racing wildly. At the same time, the door opened, and Mrs. Neskers entered carrying a mouthwatering tray displaying an array of biscuits and tarts.
