Bernadette frowned and wrinkled her nose. “There must be someplace more pleasant than the stables.”
Cait sighed. “A stable full of horses is one of the most wonderful places on the earth.”
“I would prefer to explore the library,” Bernadette suggested. “I glanced in there last night, before we were sequestered to our wing. I do not think I have seen so many books in one room outside of a bookshop.”
If the day were dreary, perhaps she would also like to find a book and retire to the chamber assigned to her and remain within until she could leave. And, as much as she enjoyed reading, that was all she did when not teaching literature and grammar. Hatley Park had a full stable, which was something the Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies no longer possessed.
“I really need to visit the stables,” Cait finally said. It was an aching need to be somewhere familiar, where she had once been happy, and perhaps getting lost inside, she could relax and figure out a way to be gone from here before she was forced to speak to Julian because she was afraid of what may happen when she did. She’d though her heart had recovered, but once she looked in his eyes, it was as if the five years melted away and the pain from reading that he was to wed another returned.
“Very well,” Bernadette sighed.
Her friend did not ride and if she ever found herself around horses, it was because they were hauling whatever conveyance she happened to be traveling in.
“You do not have to come with me,” Cait insisted. “Hide in your room with a wonderful book, and I will hide in the stables.”
Bernadette frowned. “Are you certain?”
Cait chuckled. “Yes. I know that you can hardly wait to read all the titles in hope of finding a book on the history of…well, nearly anything.”
Her friend smiled. “You know me so well.”
In that she did. Bernadette was fascinated with history and the world and had had the luxury of traveling with her father and experienced expeditions into Egypt. After such a life, Cait couldn’t understand why Bernadette wasn’t bored teaching at a school for girls.
“But hurry, or you may be caught by someone who wishes to repair a past wrong.” Cait could only assume that it was Pickmore.
Bernadette sniffed. “Some wrongs cannot be repaired.” She then swept away and found a door to enter that did not lead to the drawing room and Cait hurried to the stables.
The moment she stepped inside and inhaled the scent of hay and heard the neigh of horses, a calming peace settled around her.
She needed to visit her sister, Eve, and Kilsyth more often. Those were the only stables that she spent time in since she had left Ireland. Or perhaps she should seek new employment. Perhaps as a governess in a home with a well-stocked stable. A place where nobody could find her and break her heart further.
Cait slowly strolled past the stalls until she came to a stop before a beautiful, chestnut mare. Soulful eyes looked at her and when Cait stuck out her hand, she came forward to be petted. The moment her hand stroked the silken coat, a new peace filled her, and Cait vowed that this was where she’d remain until she was finally allowed to leave what she had once believed to be a pleasant house party. All she needed to do was avoid Julian for the next fortnight and all would be well. It couldn’t be that difficult to invent excuses to remain away from meals, could it?
“I thought I would find you here. You once claimed to love being in stables more than anywhere else.”
Cait stilled, not certain what to do.
“It is good to see you again, Cait.”
She let her hand drop and slowly turned to face Julian.
Chapter Fourteen
Julian had tried to catch Cait before she and Miss Bernadette escaped the drawing room. He then lost her in the gardens but suspected he knew the direction she had gone, especially when he saw Miss Bernadette return to the house and enter through another door.
Of course, she had gone to the stables. He just wasn’t certain if it was because it was a favorite place to be, or she planned on taking a horse to escape this farce of a house party.
Cait said nothing. Simply stared at him. All Julian could do was drink in her beauty. He would have never believed it possible, but she was even more beautiful now than she had been five years ago.
“How have you been?” It was a stupid question, but he could think of nothing else to say.
“Well, until about an hour ago.”
He chuckled. “Yes, well, my aunt warned none of us of what she was about.”
“Am I thewrongyou are to address?”
How could she ask that question? “Yes.”
