“Tomorrow you will ride Suzy, yes, but Chestnut will come when you’re ready.”
“I cannot wait!”
Raph admired her for a moment. “You’ve got your mother’s spirit, Pamela. She’d be proud.”
“You think so?”
“I know so, Pamela.”
“I cannot wait for you to tell me more about her. That means more to me than horse riding. Although this is quite wonderful too!”
Raph’s throat tightened, his thoughts drifting to Camelia and how she pushed him to tell Pamela the truth. She made him see her in a new light and want to share every story about her mother.
But an old promise held him back.
“I cannot wait as well, Pamela,” he said honestly. “Now, dismount the same way you got up, but backward. I’ll catch you if you wobble.”
Pamela giggled, swinging her leg over with exaggerated care, but her foot caught, and she tipped forward, laughing as Raph caught her.
“I’m hopeless!” she snorted.
Raph steadied her on the ground. “Hardly. You’re just learning, and you’re doing fine. Tomorrow, we’ll try again. Deal?”
“Deal. Thank you… for everything.”
“Camelia deserves all the thanks.”
“I’ll thank her, Father.”
Raph’s heart swelled. “Be sure to tell her how you conquered Susy, too. She’ll want you to share every detail.”
He silently promised to reveal the truth, even if it meant shattering a lifelong vow that he swore to keep.
CHAPTER 27
Camelia sat at her vanity, gently brushing out her hair. The events at the ball still lingered.
Raph’s jealousy and the shock of his revelation weighed heavily on her. Her emotions were a mix of anger and sorrow. She felt betrayed by Raph, but grateful that he finally trusted her with the truth.
A knock at her door startled her out of her thoughts.
Who could it be at this hour?
She tightened her robe, her pulse quickening.
“Come in,” she called steadily, despite the anxious flutter in her chest.
Raph stepped inside, his broad frame filling the doorway, and his blue eyes landed on her instantly. There was a rare softness in his expression, and Camelia fought the need to reach out, wrap her arms around him, and kiss him deeply.
“Why are you here, in my chamber?”
Camelia’s heart skipped a beat as she recalled Raph’s warning that his chambers were forbidden. It was a velvet-edged decree that sent a shiver of deep longing through her.
“Camelia.” His voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. “I need to tell you about Pamela.”
Her desire was quickly replaced by concern.
“What has happened? Is she all right?”
