“—and slobbering and biting and arching their backs so their seats?—”
“Saddles,” Patrick said, laughing at her now.
“—come free and their riders are hurled through the air so they can break several bones.” Sophie shuddered.
“Still, I will teach you, and no harm will befall you. We have hundreds of acres here at Garland, and I want to ride them all with you,” Patrick said.
“Can I not go by buggy or carriage?” Sophie said, looking hopeful.
“No.”
“Can I walk?” she added desperately.
“Now you’re being silly.”
She would leave it for now, but in this, Sophie would win. No way would she ever learn to ride a horse.
“Two carriages have arrived, Lord Coulter,” Ribble said from the doorway.
Sophie was up and running seconds later.
“Sophie, your arm!” Patrick caught her, taking her hand in his. “If you fall, you will take even longer to heal.” He turned her round. “Besides, it’s this way.”
CHAPTER 39
Patrick led Sophie down the steps to where Letty was being helped out of the carriage. Doddy leaped out and ran to her, barking. But it was who stepped down next that had Sophie gasping.
“Amelia!”
Patrick watched Miss Logan lower Timmy to the floor. He ran for his sister, little legs pumping as he called her name.
“You can’t pick him up,” Patrick said, bending with her to greet the boy.
“’Lo, Patrick!”
“Hello, Timmy. What do you think? Do you like my house?”
He nodded, little face serious. “Is there a pony?”
“It’s coming tomorrow,” Patrick said, which had the boy clapping his hands in excitement.
Sophie kissed her brother, then rose to greet Letty and Amelia.
While Timmy went to explore the small fountain, Patrick watched his wife.
Last night had been a revelation to him. Sophie had responded like no woman before her. She was a captivating mix of innocent and alluring, and she was his.
“Amelia, what are you doing here?”
“We have much to tell you,” Letty said, moving forward to kiss Sophie and wrap a welcoming arm around her waist. “But I think it will be a story best told over tea. How is your arm? I told Amelia you were shot in the park. I thought it was necessary considering she was coming here.”
“Of course,” Sophie said.
“I can’t believe you were shot,” Amelia said, hugging Sophie gently.
“She needs to be careful,” Patrick said.
“Then we will ensure she is,” Amelia added.
