Charles riding Thor. The horse and rider seemed as one. Nellie, holding her wriggling dog in her arms, caught her breath as he reined in. He wore a dark blue riding coat, his thighs strong and muscular in the leather breeches. When he pulled off his hat, his black hair fell forward onto his forehead. He pushed it back, and his smile welcomed her. “Nellie! How good to see you.” He dismounted and led Thor over to her. “I see you’ve brought Peter.”
“Yes, he frets if I’m away too long.”
“Walk with me to the stables. Did you have a good journey?”
“We did, thank you. I have been admiring your beautiful estate.”
He chuckled. “I am pleased you approve, as it will soon be your home.”
“My father will be impressed by how quickly you’ve settled Thor down.” Charles had worked miracles with the fractious animal. She was sure she could not beat him now on any horse he offered her.
“Yes, but he still has his moments. Wishes to hang on to some level of independence, don’t you, fellow?”
Nellie’s attention was caught by his big hand in the leather glove as it stroked and patted the horse’s glossy black neck. His actions were gentle but firm.
They entered the stable block, which was a hive of activity. Grooms and stable boys curried horses, polished saddles, and swept the cobbles. “I have a mare in mind for you,” Charles said. “Come and meet her.”
She followed him inside and drew in familiar smells of hay, leather, and horses. They walked along the stalls, the horses watching their progress. “Here she is. Her name is Belle.”
The pretty chestnut had a heart-shaped, white patch on her forehead. She thrust her head against Nellie’s hand and nickered. “I wish I’d brought an apple. My, but she’s a beauty, Charles.”
“She’s frisky and will give you a good ride.”
A groom came to take Thor from Charles and drew him into conversation.
“Excuse me for a moment, Nellie.” Charles disappeared into the stable interior.
Tired of Peter wriggling in her arms, she wandered back out into the sunlight and put him down.
A woman strode into view from around the corner. Tall, and a little too thin, she was dressed in a severe habit of rifle-green cloth. She walked over to Nellie and offered her hand. “You must be Lady Cornelia. Lady Dickenson, Charles’s Aunt Frances.”
Nellie shook it. “How do you do?”
Lady Dickenson raised her eyebrows at Peter. The dog backed away behind Nellie, twisting the lead around her leg. “Charles told me you were pretty. Has he deserted you already?”
Nellie looked up from untangling Peter’s lead, and smiled, very pleased Charles had described her thus. “He is inside speaking to a groom.”
Lady Dickenson’s observed Nellie closely. “Staying only a few days, Charles tells me. Pity. You’ll miss the foxhunt at the Brathwaite’s. Never mind. There will be more soon enough.”
“I don’t hunt,” Nellie said, determined to make it clear from the outset.
Her ladyship stared at her. “You don’t ride?”
“Yes, but I prefer not to hunt.”
She raised her dark eyebrows. “But you must. Especially when Charles is the host, and the meet come to ride to hounds over your lands,” she said brusquely. “The Duchess of Shewsbury not joining the hunt? Charles’s mother only stopped riding last year. By the way, have you met Her Grace?”
“No, not yet.” Nellie eased her tight shoulders.
Lady Dickenson shrugged. “No doubt, my sister is caught up in some cause or other.”
Having no opinion to offer, Nellie was relieved to see Charles emerge from the stables. He frowned at her strained face and strode over to them. “I see you two have met.”
“Nellie has informed me she won’t take part in a foxhunt,” his aunt said, her mouth forming a disapproving shape. “We shall have to convince her, eh, Charles? We can’t have the duchess failing to attend.”
“You should hurry if you plan to ride, Aunt,” Charles said smoothly. He glanced at the sky and the threatening clouds rolling toward them. The breeze blew eddies of last year’s fallen leaves over the cobbles. “You might manage an hour before the storm is upon us.”
“A bit of rain doesn’t bother me.” She nodded at Nellie. “We shall talk again at dinner.”
