“Who?”
“Her mother.”
My heart pinched with resentment, but I pushed the feeling away. “Our mother didn’t give Margaret anything to miss.” I dragged the tip of my pencil over the canvas. “She hardly knew her. Margaret’s strongest bonds have always been to her nanny, Mrs. Hartwell, and her maid, Susan. They are the women who have raised her.”
Alice’s brows sloped downward. “I think I have taken my own mother for granted. I have been reminded more than once recently that not every young girl is blessed with such a paragon as a mother. I would be quite lost without mine.”
“You are very fortunate to have her,” I said. The sadness in Alice’s eyes persisted, and it tugged at my heart. “Do you miss her?”
She nodded immediately. “Yes. I miss all of my family. I know it has only been short time, but I don’t know when I’ll see them again.”
“It won’t be long,” I promised. “You may visit them whenever you’d like. I hope you feel free to use the carriages and horses any time you wish.”
Her lips curved into a soft smile. “Thank you. I have already become acquainted with the horses.”
“Yes. I’ve noticed your morning rides.”
Her eyes lifted to mine, a curious look behind them. “Perhaps you might join me next time instead of watching me from the window.”
I laughed under my breath, a quick denial spilling out. “I don’twatch youfrom the window.”
“Then how have you noticed my rides?” She tipped her head to one side. Her teasing expression was charming enough to make my mind stall.
I looked at the canvas again. “The…stablehands told me you were using the horses.”
“The stablehands told you. I see.” Her voice was heavy with doubt.
My smile spread wider, but I kept my face hidden behind the canvas. There was nothing else I could say to explain myself. I had indeed noticed her out riding from the window. She was a skilled rider. I had known it from the day she raced me on the Steine. Seeing her take charge of my own horses at my estate with such confidence had been something I couldn’t help but watch with admiration.
“Very well,” I said. “I’ll join you tomorrow.” I kept my voice as casual as possible. “If you are missing your family, perhaps you should spend time with Edmund. He might remind you of your brother.”
“The horse, Edmund?” Alice laughed. “I forgot about him!”
The delight on her face lifted my heart until I was grinning like a fool. “I will introduce the two of you tomorrow. I suspect you will be fast friends.”
The sight of her smile struck me squarely in the chest. There was a reason I had been avoiding interactions like these with Alice. I knew the effect they had on me, and I knew how easily I would fall in love with her. After seeing her warm reception of Margaret, and the lack of judgment in her eyes…I was practically done for.
I would have to tread carefully. Alice had once said that the idea of marrying me repulsed her. I couldn’t forget that. I closed my heart around that reminder, hoping it would keep my feelings in check. But the feelings I had buried were clawing their way out, and I was powerless to stop them. Alice Kellaway—AliceCroft—was impossible to hate. I had tried, but all it had done was leave me endlessly frustrated. Loving her would be much easier.
After I finished the sketch, Alice stood from her stool and took a peek at the canvas. I held my breath as I watched her. There was no shortage of judgment in her eyes as she examined every inch of my work. Finally, she turned to face me, lips parted in shock. “This is very good. You—you have a real talent.”
“You might at least attempt to hide the surprise from your voice.” I chuckled.
She grinned. “It’s painful for me to confess that I find this so remarkable. I have been calling you a novice all this time.”
“Perhaps you shouldn’t make assumptions about me.”
She wandered back to her stool. “Perhaps we should both stop making assumptions about one another.”
I had certainly been guilty of that on multiple occasions. I was terrible at stopping the panic in my chest when questions and fears rose up inside me. My reactions were often unwelcome and extreme, and I struggled to navigate them.
Alice was still waiting for my reply, but my face burned with a hint of shame. I cleared my throat. “Agreed. We have both received evidence today to contradict our assumptions. Forgive me for assuming that you would not be kind to Margaret.”
She pressed her lips together with a small nod, though she didn’t seem fully satisfied with my words.
“What is it?” I asked, calling her gaze back to my face.
Her brow furrowed. “If we are to be…friends—” she paused, as if questioning her choice of words,” we must learn to trustone another. Trust doesn’t requireevidence.” She twisted her fingers together. “Sometimes evidence cannot be given. Let us take one another at our word from now on. Let us be honest and forthright.”
