Rhys quickly dismounted Alabaster and tied him next to Violet, then he unbuckled the basket he’d attached to the back of the saddle and slung it over his forearm, before making his way down to the water’s edge to meet Julianna.
She was sitting on a blanket under a willow tree. The meadow behind them was obscured by a tall hedgerow and more trees. She’d picked the most private spot imaginable.
He grinned at her as he joined her and set the basket next to them.
“Wine?” she asked, arching a brow.
“Of course. And a few other things.” He grinned at her.
Julianna sat up and dug into the basket. She pulled out a bottle of red wine, part of a wheel of cheese, some bread, and some grapes.
“I thought you might be hungry,” Rhys said.
“This looks like the perfect meal for a truce celebration. Especially the wine.” She rummaged around in the basket a bit longer. “But where are the glasses?”
“Glasses!” Rhys snapped his fingers and then pressed his palm to his forehead. “I knew I forgot something.”
“It’s all right,” Julianna replied with a laugh. “We’ll make do.”
Rhys set about uncorking the wine and then tossed the cork back into the basket. “You drink first,” he offered, handing her the bottle.
“Yes, we’ll share,” she replied, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. “After all, we have kissed before. We might as well not pretend as if we haven’t. And sharing a bottle is far less intimate.” She took a long swig from the bottle.
“You have a point,” Rhys replied, taking the bottle from her hand and enjoying his own long swig.
* * *
Twenty minutes later,they were halfway done with the bottle and lying side-by-side on the soft blanket staring up at the clouds between the willow tree’s branches.
“What’s your favorite place on the property?” he asked her.
“The hill beyond the paddock,” she replied without hesitation. “I like to go there and sit and watch the horses run.”
“Are you serious?” he asked, blinking.
“Yes, why?”
“Because that’smyfavorite spot. I didn’t know anyone else liked it there.”
“It’s so calm and peaceful there. I love watching the horses,” she explained. “They don’t care about things like manners or looks.”
“Looks?” he asked, surprise in his tone.
Julianna sighed. “Yes. Have you any idea what it’s like to be told your entire life that your beauty is the only important thing about you?”
“No,” he replied quietly. “But I do know what it’s like to be told your title is the most important thing.”
There was a pause before Julianna replied, “I suppose we have something in common then.” She leaned up momentarily and took another drink.
Rhys stared up at the clouds. He felt like an ass. He’d never stopped to consider the fact that debutantes had pressures of their own.
“Would you believe me if I told you I’ve often had the thought that I like horses better than people because they don’t expect anything of you?” he asked.
“Yes!” she exclaimed, lifting a hand into the air. “They don’t care how you dress or how you behave or even who your family is.”
“Agreed.”
She leaned up and gave him a sheepish grin. “Would you believe me if I told you that was one of the reasons I liked you…when we were courting?” she clarified.
