“You are ready, miss,” Natalie said with a proud smile. Arianna thanked her before hastening downstairs to luncheon.
Arianna had slept so soundly that she had completely missed breakfast. The dining room was full of guests as the gong had rung not half an hour ago to announce the noonday meal, although it was only a light repast that had been prepared.
Derrick was speaking to a man she recalled was named Mr. Hadley. The two were laughing at something, and Derrick looked relaxed, his smile natural. A pang of bittersweet melancholy plucked at Arianna. She realized now that she hadn’t seen that side of Derrick since he and Lucas had fallen out. Of course, she hadn’t really seen him since then either, at least not closely.
She believed him when he said he had lost something deeply precious to him when he had fallen out with his best friend, that he had also lost his second family in the process. But if she could get Derrick to fall in love with her, maybe that could mend the rift between him and her brother. It was a chance she would fight for.
“You missed breakfast,” Pepper said. She sidled up next to Arianna. The two women collected plates and approached the sideboard table, which was laden with small triangular sandwiches, fruit, and little cakes.
“I actually had a wonderful night’s sleep,” Arianna admitted, unable to hide the blush in her cheeks. Pepper noticed but thankfully didn’t ask any questions about it.
“I heard we are to go sledding today.”
“Oh? That should be quite fun.” Arianna peeked in Derrick’s direction, and he caught her eye from across the room. His smile deepened the slightest bit.
Good, he does not seem to have any regrets about last night. She sat at the table with Pepper, and the other guests did the same, each conversing easily of their families and plans for after Christmas. Arianna ate so quickly she nearly gave herself hiccups and had to sip some water from her goblet before she embarrassed herself.
At last, her father stood and announced that anyone who was up for it could go sledding outdoors.
“We older and wiser folk shall remain indoors,” he added with a wink to the older men and women, who clearly had no desire to go outside and become all cold and wet.
The younger crowd gathered in the entryway, donning cloaks, hats, muffs, and gloves before they trooped out into the snow. She watched Derrick’s great cloak billow behind him slightly in the winter breeze. Each man had a timber sled, easily carrying the wooden coasting devices in their arms. As they trudged through the soft, airy snow, Derrick drifted back toward her, making his slowing down look quite natural. He paused, pretending to adjust the grip on the sled that he carried just as she caught up with him.
Birds hopped about in the trees above, sending bits of snow down as they twittered while they searched for seeds and berries. Arianna pretended to study the birds as she and Derrick walked side by side.
“I noticed that you missed breakfast. Did you sleep well?” he asked.
She bit her lip to hide a smile. “I did—perhaps a little too well. I don’t believe I’ve ever missed breakfast before.”
His lips kicked up in a grin, daring her to kiss him. “Well, I am glad to hear it. Sometimes that sort of experience can scare a person.”
“It did not, not with you.”
She noted his cheeks had turned a bit red. Good heavens, either the man was cold or he was blushing. Arianna wanted to preen, but that would not have been wise. She needed to maintain her role of a pupil who was eager and yet still unsure of herself.
They reached the hill last, and the others were already discussing who was to sled first. Pepper and Arianna were the only two ladies who had chosen to come, and more than one gentleman gallantly offered to allow them to sit in front with the man behind them—to better anchor the sled, of course, as Derrick insisted.
“Miss Asgil, would you do me the honor?” Freddie stepped up to her and bowed as though they were about to waltz.
She glanced at Derrick, who simply smirked and gave her a subtle nod to accept.
“I would be delighted to, Mr. Poncenby.” She took his hand as he helped her onto the sled. She tucked the tip of her boots up and braced her feet against the front of the sled. Then Freddie got on behind her, his long legs settling against hers. He reached around her and picked up the stout rope that had been knotted to the front of the sled like reins on a horse.
“You there, Falconridge. Give a man a push, eh?” Falconridge had just settled his own sled down on top of the hill. It had surprised the entire party that the solitary, brooding man decided to join them, but he had and Arianna was glad for it. He came over, put his boot on the back of the sled behind Freddie, and gave a good shove.
They moved forward a bit. Then a bit faster. Then she shrieked as she and Freddie plummeted down the sloping hill as fast as a horse at full gallop before sliding to a stop at the bottom.
Freddie laughed heartily. “Nowthatis a proper hill. We must do it again.”
They clambered off the sled and turned to see Pepper and Mr. Hadley shooting down the hill toward them.
“Mustn’t dally or we’ll be run over.” Freddie gallantly scooped Arianna up and hastily carried her out of the way of the other sled.
“Bloody hell, these things really move,” Hadley said as their sled stopped close to Arianna and Freddie.
The four of them marched back up just as Falconridge and Derrick rode down the hill on their own sleds. Pepper watched Lord Falconridge all the way down until he stopped at the bottom of the hill.
“You ought to ask him if he will join you,” said Arianna.
