“Idon’t know, Aurora.” Shannon set a few more stitches in her needlework, thinking furiously of excuses that would prevent her from accepting her sister’s invitation. “It could hardly afford you much pleasure. You’re very well aware I’m not the rider you are. I wouldn’t be able to keep up with you.”
“I would take care not to leave you.”
Shannon eyed her sister skeptically, taking no pains to hide the fact she didn’t believe her. “As you took care not to leave Aaron?”
Aurora took the embroidery hoop from Shannon, admired it, and gave it back. “Your work is very good. I confess I never had the patience for it.” She flounced to a nearby chair and sat down, leaning forward earnestly. “I’m sincere about not leaving you behind,” she said, finally addressing Shannon’s question. “I wouldn’t dare do that after the dressing-down Bran gave me upon my return on Monday.”
“He had every right to be furious,” said Shannon, remembering Brandon’s terrible anger when Aaron returned to the stable without Aurora. “I should think after the things that happened to you, you would want to be more cautious.”
“Why is that? The only person I have to be concerned about is Bran. You were there when he tried to poison me. You saw what happened.”
“I saw you receive a glass of wine, Aurora. I do not know when it was tainted or who tainted it. I will never believe it was Brandon.”
As Shannon bent her head over her work, Aurora frowned. This was not going at all the way she had hoped. If she was to secure Shannon’s cooperation, she would simply have to cease discussing Brandon. “I’ve already apologized to my husband for what happened. I did not think you would upbraid me also. I can understand your desire to protect him; after all, you—”
“I love him.” Shannon looked up and stared hard at the face so like her own. She saw Aurora’s eyes widen at her bold pronouncement. “I cannot expect you to find joy in that, but you may as well come to accept it. It is not something that can be changed. In deference to what little civility exists between us, I think it would be best if you found someone else to accompany you on your morning ride.”
Aurora was startled by Shannon’s vehemence. Clearly there was a core of strength in her sister that she had little suspected. Curiosity to know more mingled with wariness. “Oh, Shannon,” she entreated, “I’m afraid I’ve done this all rather badly. Please, won’t you reconsider? I should very much like to have your company this morning. I haven’t ridden for two days because I knew how angry the grooms were with me, but I don’t want to stay in this house another moment. I will, though,” she insisted, “if you won’t join me.”
“It is probably just as well that you remain here.”
“That is your final answer, then?”
“I’m afraid so, Aurora.”
Aurora sighed. “Very well. I suppose I could find something to read.” She glanced at the selection of books on the library shelves without enthusiasm. “Or mayhap you would show me some of your embroidery and teach me a few stitches. I could learn to cultivate patience. Did our mother do much needlework? I imagine that is where you learned. Michaeline was very good, too, but I spent most of my time with Papa. He loved to take me riding and fishing and swimming. Not a very conventional upbringing, I admit. It’s probably one of the—”
Shannon smiled unhappily. “Your chatter is very wearing, Aurora. But I think you know that.” She put aside the hoop. “How long would you want to ride?”
“A few hours, no more.”
“And you will not leave me behind?”
“I promise. Shannon, I could ride alone if I truly wished to. Who would stop me? It is in deference to Brandon’s wishes that I haven’t done so. It really would be a pleasure to have you along. Your conversation is infinitely more desirable than Sam’s or Aaron’s.”
“All right.” She sighed, giving in. She looked at her sister sharply. “But just for a few hours. I have other things which require my attention.”
Aurora showed her approval by clapping her hands together once and nearly leaping from the chair. Taking Shannon by the wrist, she pulled her to her feet. “Come, then. I’ll find something suitable for you to wear in my wardrobe.” She shook her head disparagingly as she examined Shannon’s gray wool day dress. “You can’t ride properly in that.”
“I can’t ride properly at all,” Shannon reminded her as she was firmly taken in hand and led out of the library. “I don’t think it matters what I wear.”
“That only shows how little you know,” Aurora said firmly, unwilling to be gainsaid. In her bedchamber Aurora rifled her wardrobe, examining, then discarding, a number of garments before she settled on an outfit for Shannon. “Here,” she said, tossing a few items at Shannon. “Try these things on. I think you will find the split skirt much more comfortable than what you’re wearing now.”
Shannon held up the heavy black wool skirt in front of her and glanced in the mirror. In style and cut it was similar to the skirt Aurora was wearing except it lacked the border of silky black embroidery around the waistband. “The waistcoat and jacket, also?” she asked, juggling them in front of her so she could see how they would look.
“Certainly. I regret I don’t have another hat.”
“That’s all right. This is more than generous.” She grinned at her reflection a little ruefully when she realized that she only had to see her own sister to know how she would look. Save for Aurora’s fashionable hat and her scarlet vest, they would appear the very image of each other. “Give me a moment and I’ll join you at the stable.”
Before she left, Aurora rang for Emily to help Shannon dress. Feeling rather confident that she would be able to take Shannon anywhere on the grounds she wanted, Aurora was exceptionally patient with the grooms who readied the mounts. She would not permit herself to dwell on the purpose of her actions. She told herself it would be a morning ride like any other, that her motive for giving Shannon the clothes was to help her ride comfortably. And when the thought of Parker waiting for them in the woods intruded on her thoughts, Aurora remembered that Brandon had loved Shannon first, that her husband had never truly been faithful to her, and that as her rival, Shannon deserved what Parker had planned. She was hardly aware of her own refusal to acknowledge the importance of her role in Shannon’s fate.
Shannon returned Aurora’s welcoming smile with one of her own. She could not help noticing how regal Aurora’s bearing was when she was seated on Pilgrim. She looked as if she was ready to accept the accolades of her courtiers, and indeed, the grooms were hovering about, waiting to do her bidding. “Have I kept you long?”
“Not at all. Aaron, give Miss Shannon a leg up.”
“Thank you, Aaron,” Shannon said, accepting his help and studiously avoiding the warning that flashed in his dark eyes. Anthem pranced nervously once Shannon was in the saddle.
Aurora grinned. “Take command, Shannon.” Aurora showed her how to hold the reins. “Like this. Don’t jerk on them. Talk to her a little; acquaint her with the sound of your voice.”
