“What is your favorite part of your family’s country estate, Alaina?” Graham questioned.
“Oh, uh,” Alaina started, finding solace in his benign question and the change of subject. “I guess you can already tell that it is not riding around the grounds on horseback, that would be Evelina. I am partial to a few spots along the edge of a pond. On particularly sunny days, I prefer to sit underneath this one large oak tree and read, but on other days, I like to sit out on this large boulder that stretches a bit over the edge of the pond. If the water is high enough, I can put my feet into the pond and soak up the sights. I often bring my journal, or a book, or both.”
Alaina looked over at the duke to gauge his reaction, worried he may make too much of her reading like Lord Finch and his sister, but he appeared almost like he was trying to imagine the scene she described. As he smiled broadly and maintained eye contact, Alaina continued. “Sometimes I find the country inspiring enough to write, sometimes I need to just read and think, and sometimes I just like to be.”
“That sounds quite nice. I often find myself trying to find the perfect spot to read or just take in nature. Most people imagine men as only involved in sport, hunting, or gaming, but I certainly like my time to relax alone in the country.”
“I do not remember much of that introspection you speak of when we were kids. If I remember correctly, you were always terrorizing the grounds with Christopher,” Georgiana needled her brother.
“Quite right. If you remember, though, I have grown up since then, Georgiana,” Graham chided.
“Ah, yes, I seem to remember you and Christopher are now grown men, looking to take wives, as you should,” Georgiana returned his banter.
“Not this again, Georgiana,” Graham warned. “Besides, I am the only one of us currently looking for a spouse. Christopher much prefers his bachelorhood.”
Alaina stifled a giggle, recognizing good-natured sibling banter. She and Evelina had much of the same relationship, teasing one another, sometimes for maximum embarrassment, but totally understanding each other. She caught a quick protruded tongue and wrinkled nose from Georgiana, directed at Graham, and sighed, turning forward in her horse to find Christopher observing her intently, a shielded look in his eyes. Maybe Graham’s comment had bothered him in some way, but the reason eluded Alaina.
Alaina was about to chastise him about keeping his eyes forward, and how rude it was to stare, when a commotion just in front of Christopher caught her eye. Just as the sound reached her ears, a group of riders emerged rather recklessly from a dense cove of trees.
“Look out!” Graham cried out. Georgiana pulled her horse to a quick stop, with Graham easily pulling up next to her. Alaina tried to stop her horse as well, but with the commotion from the other horses galloping past, her horse spooked and attempted to flee the noise, unfortunately in the forward direction. The quick reaction of her horse forced the reins from Alaina’s hand, and she lost control. Finding purchase in her horse’s mane, Alaina closed her eyes and clung to her horse with only hope that the horse would stop. As her horse galloped wide of the offending group, Alaina heard an accompanying rumble of hooves come up beside her. A strong pair of hands quickly gathered the reins that had slipped from her hands and pulled the frightened horse to a halt. Too afraid to open her eyes until the earth stood still, Alaina assumed her savior to be Graham, but was surprised to find Christopher’s blue eyes looking at her with something akin to concern. Alaina watched as his eyes traced her face, and she felt surprised to find warmth in his countenance. The connection between herself and Christopher seemed unbreakable, and Alaina felt something warm build in her chest as she looked at the gentleman who she, just a few moments ago, might have thought of as an adversary.
“Are you quite well?” Christopher asked, a muscle in his jaw working, as if in anger.
Alaina could only nod in the affirmative, and she swallowed hard to calm her panic as Christopher led her horse back to Graham and Georgiana.
As they passed the reckless horse riders, Christopher took a breath as if to call out, but Graham seemed to beat him to the punch. “Ho there! Did you not see our group while you were galloping through the trees? You could have easily toppled two ladies, coming upon us as you did.”
Alaina immediately recognized two of the three riders: Lord Finch and his sister, Lady Barbara! The third rider was not familiar to her. Alaina found herself wishing the earth would open up and swallow her whole; nothing good could come of interaction with those siblings, no matter their companion. Unfortunately, Alaina was not so lucky. However, the mystery of the third companion was quickly put to rest.
“Cousin, how delightful to see you,” the lead male rider of the group called out. He certainly looked familiar to Alaina. “These are my companions, Lord Finch and Lady Barbara Finch, his sister.”
Lady Alaina stiffened in preparation for the encounter, and forced her head high.
With almost no choice in the matter, the duke made the polite introductions. “Percy, you are familiar with my sister and the marquess, but I would like to introduce Lady Alaina, daughter of the Earl of Norwich. You quite nearly toppled her from her saddle. Lady Alaina, this is my cousin, Lord Wallace, and his companions as he has introduced them.”
With the introduction of Lady Alaina, the second man, Lord Finch, made his way to the fore of the group. “Lady Alaina, we meet again,” Lord Finch smiled, a leer that made a woman feel unclean and uncomfortable. Alaina gave a shiver at the perusal.
It was Lady Barbara who cut in next. “Lady Alaina, I am afraid I barely recognized you without your nose in a book.”
Before Alaina could answer the insult, Christopher practically growled, “Levying insults about improving one’s mind through reading is usually done by those who are found lacking.”
Alaina stifled her surprise, and elected to answer simply, “Lord Finch, Lady Barbara, pleasant to see you both again. I am doing quite well, thank you.”
At Alaina’s unease, and Christopher’s response, Graham seemed to think it best to keep things quick as well. “We were just about to turn for Lady Alaina’s family townhome. Good day to you, cousin.”
Alaina was stuck in a terrified trance, but could still notice the narrowing eyes of Graham’s cousin as the duke turned his horse around to venture back the way they had come. Alaina strived to keep pace with the duke, Georgiana and Christopher falling behind them.
Georgiana was the first to speak. “What is Percy doing here in London?”
Graham sighed. “Georgiana, I am sure he is here to do what every other nobleman does, to enjoy the social season.”
“I seriously doubt that, Graham, not after Christmas,” Georgiana rebuffed.
Graham shook his head and seemed to grit through his teeth, “We can talk later, Georgiana, I do not wish to ruin the rest of the ride.”
Georgiana fell silent once more, and the group plodded along without the levity of before. The close encounter had set them all on edge.
“So, how do you know Lord Finch?” Christopher asked, after a few moments of riding in silence.
